Middle Ground

(comments near the end)


Several things set Guy Forsyth apart from the herd of blues singers and barnstorming songwriters: his big voice, a repertoire that runs the gamut from blues and gospel classics to original turbo-folk protest songs, the good sense to work with excellent musicians, a huge personality, the desire and willingness to put on a show, hot chops on guitar and harmonica and the ability to play a mean singing saw.

Friday night (9/9) at Sam's Burger Joint, Forsyth and the band, Colin Brooks (guitar, vocals), Josh Gravelin (bass) and Rob Hooper (drums), tore it up but good.

Forsyth opened on the saw. He grabbed attention and hushed the pre-set babble with a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and then launched into "Teeth," a ferocious song about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina that was penned by an Asylum Street Spanker and would make Tom Waits proud.

Though the Samdome can get loud, most in attendance paid close attention as Forsyth and company worked through meaty sets that mixed songs such as "Beautiful Mistake," "Brand New Day," "Heart-Shaped Hole" and "Take Advantage," from his latest CD, "Love Songs: For and Against," with traditional numbers including "Run On for a Long Time" and crowd-pleasers such as "Children of Jack" and "My Hometown" from his own book.

No two Guy Forsyth shows are alike. The man always comes to work, to rouse the rabble and to entertain and he and the band did those very things at Sam's.



Keep your ears open for Middle Ground, the S.A. quartet that opened for the Forsyth band. The acoustic folk/rock outfit with two guitars, cello and violin has talent and songs to match. They need a little more experience at working the crowd — and more confidence when it comes to ruling the stage — but Middle Ground could well earn the promotion to the high ground.



Marcus Rubio Content: Though the young singing songwriter didn't sit in on violin with Forsyth as he did with Joe Reyes on Thursday night at the Starbucks Hear Music Coffeehouse, he was in attendance, sitting in the front row.


- San Antonio Express News - Jim Beal

Best Americana:

1. The Lavens
Thelavens.com

2. Middle Ground
Myspace.com/findthemiddleground

3. James Pardo

The Lavens are a country-flavored family act that has become a Friday favorite at The Cove. Think of them as The Judds-times-two, or The Cowsills with a twang.
- San Antonio Current

(comments near the end)


Several things set Guy Forsyth apart from the herd of blues singers and barnstorming songwriters: his big voice, a repertoire that runs the gamut from blues and gospel classics to original turbo-folk protest songs, the good sense to work with excellent musicians, a huge personality, the desire and willingness to put on a show, hot chops on guitar and harmonica and the ability to play a mean singing saw.

Friday night (9/9) at Sam's Burger Joint, Forsyth and the band, Colin Brooks (guitar, vocals), Josh Gravelin (bass) and Rob Hooper (drums), tore it up but good.

Forsyth opened on the saw. He grabbed attention and hushed the pre-set babble with a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and then launched into "Teeth," a ferocious song about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina that was penned by an Asylum Street Spanker and would make Tom Waits proud.

Though the Samdome can get loud, most in attendance paid close attention as Forsyth and company worked through meaty sets that mixed songs such as "Beautiful Mistake," "Brand New Day," "Heart-Shaped Hole" and "Take Advantage," from his latest CD, "Love Songs: For and Against," with traditional numbers including "Run On for a Long Time" and crowd-pleasers such as "Children of Jack" and "My Hometown" from his own book.

No two Guy Forsyth shows are alike. The man always comes to work, to rouse the rabble and to entertain and he and the band did those very things at Sam's.



Keep your ears open for Middle Ground, the S.A. quartet that opened for the Forsyth band. The acoustic folk/rock outfit with two guitars, cello and violin has talent and songs to match. They need a little more experience at working the crowd — and more confidence when it comes to ruling the stage — but Middle Ground could well earn the promotion to the high ground.



Marcus Rubio Content: Though the young singing songwriter didn't sit in on violin with Forsyth as he did with Joe Reyes on Thursday night at the Starbucks Hear Music Coffeehouse, he was in attendance, sitting in the front row.


- San Antonio Express News - Jim Beal

PLATTSBURGH -- When Kelly Miller left Plattsburgh for college in Texas, he expected to return some day in dark glasses with a dark suit and a registered firearm.
"I wanted to be a Secret Service agent," said Miller.
The former French horn player in the Plattsburgh High band never expected to return with a guitar, some outstanding original songs and an eclectic band fast gaining attraction in one of the country's hottest music scenes.
"The Secret Service is on the back burner now, but I have my degree so there's something to fall back on," said Miller. "That was the deal I made with my parents."
At this point however, falling back is the furthest thing from his mind.
Miller's band, Middle Ground, will play three Plattsburgh gigs in two nights this week, highlighted by Friday's show prior to the Mayor's Cup fireworks at the Plattsburgh City Beach.
That should give old friends and relatives plenty of chances to hear Middle Ground's uniquely textured sound.
Miller provides the thoughtful lyrics, lead vocals and guitar, while the band behind him includes a cello (Ross Renker), mandolin (Emanuel Meza), violin (Sophie Severance) and drums (Josh Roberts).
"We were voeted one of the best Americana groups in San Antonio, but I don't think we're Americana," said Miller. "Willie Nelson is Americana. . .we're a northeast kind of acoustic folk rock -- Counting Crows, Hootie and the Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies. . ."
"Everyone likes it though. I compare us to Tom Petty -- he's not anyone's favorite, but everyone likes him."
When Miller left Plattsburgh, his musical background was scant. Other then the French horn, he'd played the lead in the high school musical "Me and My Girl" and. . .that was about it.
"But my brother Ryan was always writing music. I figured if he could do it, I could do it better."
While at the University of Texas- San Antonio, Miller developed an ear for music and picked up a guitar.
"I just started playing and writing stuff about six years ago," he said. "I played a lot of open mikes and got a lot of positive feedback."
Three years ago, Miller put out a solo album, "Easy Trouble." But solo wasn't the way he wanted to go.
In 2005, Miller, Ross and Meza formed Middle Ground. Severance added her classically trained violin this past September, and Roberts joined in January.
Miller's strong voice coupled with the lush instrumental mix have quickly caught on in San Antonio, and word has begun to spread.
Austin, one of the country's biggest music hot spots, has made room for Middle Ground.
"We recently got a house show there, right on Sixth Street," said Miller. "That is THE place to play.
"Things are going a lot faster then we thought it would; we didn;t expect to break into Austin for another year."
After the three Plattsburgh shows, and another one in Saratoga Springs Saturday, Middle Ground will head back to the southwest.
"We were going to do a longer tour, but everything kind of blew up for us (in Texas), so we didn't want to leave for too long," said Miller. "If people really dig us up there, we could maybe do three or four trips up there in the future."
A CD has already been mastered, but is not yet for sale -- though downloads are available on Middle Ground's Web site.
"We've had a lot of interest from promoters, managers, but we'd like to do it ourselves for now -- we're pretty cautious," said Miller.
Cautious, like a good Secret Service agent. With a song in his head."

- Press Republican - Steve Oulette (Plattsburgh, NY) - Thursday July 5th 2007

Best Country/Americana Band

Middle Ground

Bob Dylan, the Counting Crows, Bruce Springsteen and Hootie meet at the crossroads (also known as Starbucks), with cello, violin and mandolin thrown in.
- San Antonio Current - 3/19/2008

Since their first televsion show in 1976, I have been a fan of "Austin City Limits." They often have prominent musical artists, but they also have presented lesser-known future stars. That's how I came across Amos Lee last year. He was on "Austin City Limits."

Well, believe it or not, one of our local musicians is on the rise, and he has a connection with "Austin City Limits." Kelly Miller was an outstanding athlete at Plattsburgh High School not so long ago, but apparantly he had his goals set on the stage rather than the playing field. I remember he had a starring role in one of the PHS Drama Club's presentations.

But I never expected his singing talent to take him this far. Miller, the son of Calvin and Kathy Miller of Plattsburgh, is one of a talented band called Middle Ground. The group recently performed at Plattsburgh's abbreviated Mayor's Cup Celebration. Middle Ground is now among twenty semi-finalists nationwide in Austin City Limits' Battle of the Bands.

Fan voting will determine the winner and you can play a role in Middle Ground's quest to win the contest. At the Austin City Limits' website you can get all the information you need. Better yet, you can go directly to the Middle Ground page and listen to their music and cast your vote for the Texas band with the Plattsburgh connection.

I think you'll find their music pretty unique. The music reminds me of some of Bob Dylan's electric stuff, and the lyrics remind me of a 2007 version of Harry Chapin. You can judge for yourself.

The link is: http://acl.mp3.com/feature/soundandjury/?band=MIDDLE-GROUND

That link brings you right to the voting site, and it's very easy. Right now Middle Ground is in fourteenth place out of the twenty semi-finalists. The contest started out with 800 bands, and Middle Ground has survived as one of the top twenty!

Miller is lead singer and songwriter. His colleagues are Emanuel Meza, Ross Renker, Sophie Severance and Josh Roberts. They are based in San Antonio, Texas. A long way from home for a Plattsburgh kid and former videographer for North Country Cable Network.

You can vote once a day at the website, and Kelly and his friends deserve our support.
I hope you'll give Middle Ground a listen. That guy singing lead is the one and only Kelly Miller. It's Miller time -- for the Austin City Limits stage!

- The Press Republican (Raymond "Foxy" Gagnon) August 25th, 2007

Since their first televsion show in 1976, I have been a fan of "Austin City Limits." They often have prominent musical artists, but they also have presented lesser-known future stars. That's how I came across Amos Lee last year. He was on "Austin City Limits."

Well, believe it or not, one of our local musicians is on the rise, and he has a connection with "Austin City Limits." Kelly Miller was an outstanding athlete at Plattsburgh High School not so long ago, but apparantly he had his goals set on the stage rather than the playing field. I remember he had a starring role in one of the PHS Drama Club's presentations.

But I never expected his singing talent to take him this far. Miller, the son of Calvin and Kathy Miller of Plattsburgh, is one of a talented band called Middle Ground. The group recently performed at Plattsburgh's abbreviated Mayor's Cup Celebration. Middle Ground is now among twenty semi-finalists nationwide in Austin City Limits' Battle of the Bands.

Fan voting will determine the winner and you can play a role in Middle Ground's quest to win the contest. At the Austin City Limits' website you can get all the information you need. Better yet, you can go directly to the Middle Ground page and listen to their music and cast your vote for the Texas band with the Plattsburgh connection.

I think you'll find their music pretty unique. The music reminds me of some of Bob Dylan's electric stuff, and the lyrics remind me of a 2007 version of Harry Chapin. You can judge for yourself.

The link is: http://acl.mp3.com/feature/soundandjury/?band=MIDDLE-GROUND

That link brings you right to the voting site, and it's very easy. Right now Middle Ground is in fourteenth place out of the twenty semi-finalists. The contest started out with 800 bands, and Middle Ground has survived as one of the top twenty!

Miller is lead singer and songwriter. His colleagues are Emanuel Meza, Ross Renker, Sophie Severance and Josh Roberts. They are based in San Antonio, Texas. A long way from home for a Plattsburgh kid and former videographer for North Country Cable Network.

You can vote once a day at the website, and Kelly and his friends deserve our support.
I hope you'll give Middle Ground a listen. That guy singing lead is the one and only Kelly Miller. It's Miller time -- for the Austin City Limits stage!

- The Press Republican (Raymond "Foxy" Gagnon) August 25th, 2007

By Jeremy Martin

Disclosure: An environmental activist (didn’t catch the name) put me in a weird headspace for Middle Ground’s poppy, upper-register Americana-lite while the band was still tuning up. With effort, this guy insisted, San Antonio could be the vegan, low-flow-toilet mecca his home state of Oregon has become. Had his proclamation preceded a show in the White Rabbit’s back room, I’d have laughed in this dude’s face, but at the Farm — what amounts to a back yard, where the flip-flopped crowd sits on tree stumps and hay bales, discussing newly launched greenie website echotown.net and sipping Texas beer from a by-donation-only keg — his flower-child optimism seems less deluded.

It’s not Middle Ground’s fault that their music makes a better soundtrack for the kind of party where the keg winds up covered in vomit than an against-all-odds left-wing revolt.

Sometimes-bassist Ross Renker favors the cello instead, and guitarist Emanuel Meza is just as likely to swap for a mandolin, leaving Middle Ground with no low-end to speak of, constructing songs so sunny and light they cast no shadow. Opener “Hell Bent” rides Meza’s decidedly not-evil mandolin riff away from its stated destination, concluding the titular line with “and heaven bound.”

Singer Kelly Miller, who pounds away at a bottle of Southern Comfort between songs, has enough twang and gravel in his voice to sell the band’s Texas country angle, but betrays enough emotional sensitivity in his delivery to’ve fronted a second-wave alt-rock act in the mid-’90s. Solo number “Sometimes,” for which Miller strums his own accompaniment on the acoustic while the rest of the band refills, would be ripe for fresh-new-artist status on VH1, if the network ran anything but Gen-X nostalgia porn these days.

Throughout the set, people with unstyled hair chat hopefully about San Antonio’s progressive future with no trace of cynicism. And I’d honestly believed there was an I-35 checkpoint preventing these types from migrating south of Austin.

“Revolution,” despite its veiled Katrina references and claims that “the revolution’s rising,” is really an appeal to reasonable compromise, lubricated by Sophie Severance’s fluid fiddle accents. Meanwhile, a man helps curious passers-by to balance on a wire strung between two trees; other audience members seem too mellowed to even stand up. Your guess is as good as mine.

Middle Ground

Saturday, May 9
The Farm
311 Howard
farmrecorders.com

- The San Antonio Current - May 13th, 2009

A Fine Line is one of the premier on-line music web sites in texas. To check out our review, some photos, a couple live recordings (including a video) of our show check it out:

www.finelinelive.com - A Fine Line

A Fine Line is one of the premier on-line music web sites in texas. To check out our review, some photos, a couple live recordings (including a video) of our show check it out:

www.finelinelive.com - A Fine Line

Middle Ground, an Americana/folk/rock band from San Antonio, continues to celebrate the release of its debut CD, “Rooted.” Fronted by singer-songwriter Kelly Miller, a transplant from New York, Middle Ground delivers cleverly arranged, highly textured, string-driven songs. “Sweet Cordelia,” the first single, is being promoted by Courtland Records, the label arm of the San Antonio College music-business program. Listen carefully for the song “Revolution,” a strong Miller offering. Miller fronts a 10:30 p.m. Sunday night-owl open mike at Limelight. - The San Antonio Express News - Jim Beal December 19th, 2008

Middle Ground, an Americana/folk/rock band from San Antonio, continues to celebrate the release of its debut CD, “Rooted.” Fronted by singer-songwriter Kelly Miller, a transplant from New York, Middle Ground delivers cleverly arranged, highly textured, string-driven songs. “Sweet Cordelia,” the first single, is being promoted by Courtland Records, the label arm of the San Antonio College music-business program. Listen carefully for the song “Revolution,” a strong Miller offering. Miller fronts a 10:30 p.m. Sunday night-owl open mike at Limelight. - The San Antonio Express News - Jim Beal December 19th, 2008