Lots of folks wonder why we named our family bluegrass band Motel 5 1/2. Well... it's the kids' fault. We were on our way to our first open mike up in the big town of Sedro Woolley, WA, and I told Forrest and Aida to come up with a name for our band, so we could sign in. On the freeway, we drove by a Motel 6, and it sounded cool. Problem is... that name is already taken, and we don't really stack up to fancy motels like that. We're more the type to sleep in a tent or under the stars. So we downgraded to Motel 5 1/2, which is just another way of saying you have just one oar in the water -- and you're one beer short of a six pack. Motel 6 leaves a light on for you, but with our little bluegrass band, the lights are on, but nobody's home!

The newest member of the band is my wife, Sarah. She's a great mom, and suddenly plays a mean upright bass. If you listen to our latest recording, Lonesome Road Blues, you can tell her rhythm is dead on. Forrest and I bought her the bass on Craigslist... and had no idea how good she would be and how much she would contribute.

Right now we are having a blast. Stop by for a listen. We're wishing all of our folkies and bluegrass friends a new year full of joy and happiness.

You can watch our latest gig at the Darrington Bluegrass Festival on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1VRabdn2AU

We had a good solid week of picken and grinnin'. Can't wait until next year!

Our family band recently performed on open mic at the Darrington Bluegrass Festival in the North Cascades. We had a great week of camping and pickin' with some of the greatest people on Earth. We were fortunate to have one of the best fiddlers, Steve Saba, from British Columbia, help us out. What a great new friend we found!

Mike Edwards, our cousin is the best washtub bass player in this territory. Not only does he excel with great rhythm and tone, he can get your laundry done for you in a jiffy.

The rest of the band: Kevin Miller, guitar, vocals, and sibling rival referee; Forrest Miller, banjo, jawharp, and crawfish wolf-down expert; and Aida Miller, guitar, mandolin, flute, vocals, and bullfrog kidnapper.

Next up: The annual Bluegrass and Folk Festival in Mukilteo, WA. We will play a 1/2 hour set at 1 p.m. If you want your laundry done on time, be sure to show up early!

Best to all,

Motel 5 1/2

Summer hit the Pacific Northwest with lots of warm sun. So I finished a new tune I've been working on for 25 years. It's a fun little bluegrass ditty & I hope you like it!

Kevin

Wow! I'm totally blown away that my little country horse and cowboy tune won the Soundclick Critics Corner song contest. It was an exciting finish with my song getting a whole bunch of first place votes at the end. What a thrill for me right now!

Thanks to all my Soundclick friends who voted for Midnight Boy, and for the encouragement I got from so many nice folks.

Somebody pinch me.

I didn't think my little cowboy and horses song would make it this far, but it made the finals in the Critics Corner song contest. Thanks to everyone who votes and supports the contest. It has been a lot of fun for everyone.

FREE DOWNLOADS EVERYONE!!!

Come download my #1 country folk song, Midnight Boy!

Best to all.

Kevin Miller

Been having a lot of fun with my new #1 song Midnight Boy. It is a song about a cowboy whose good horse goes down in the high country. When a man loses his best friend, he can only pay his respect and move on. There's more to the story... you'll just have to hear.

All my songs are free this month. Stop by and say hi!

Kevin Miller