ScottMiller_with guitar and cow in barn 051323

Scott Miller, Singer Songwriter Series

Coming up on May 13, 2023, the long-running Singer Songwriter Series at the Arts Barn presents Virginia native Scott Miller.  Calling himself Songwriter/Farmer/Malapert (#Commonwealther; thescottmiller.com) Scott Miller is a roots-rock songwriter who sings the stories…

Coming up on May 13, 2023, the long-running Singer Songwriter Series at the Arts Barn presents Virginia native Scott Miller.  Calling himself Songwriter/Farmer/Malapert (#Commonwealther; thescottmiller.com)

Scott Miller is a roots-rock songwriter who sings the stories of the complexity and nuance of everyday people making their way through modern life. For example, his well-known “Lo Siento, Spanishburg, WV” is a hard-driving tale of a rural town dealing with economic decline, opioids, immigrants, and gentrification.

“Scott Miller has the emotional honesty and intelligence of a singer/songwriter with the swagger and enthusiasm of a rock & roller… a gifted and eclectic solo artist.” (allmusic.com)

Scott grew up on a farm near Staunton, VA, listening to the country music greats and reading the classics. As a rock musician, he has put in his 10,000 hours writing and performing songs – in the 90s with his band V-Roys, and later with other musicians including Patty Griffin, Robbie Fulks, Paul Thorn, Robin & Linda Williams, and American Aquarium. Now he has returned to the family farm in Virginia where he divides his time between raising Black Angus cattle and pursuing his musical life.  He said, “Farming & music are similar.  Neither makes you much money because you put all the profits back in the business. Both provide the kind of life you want to live.”

His upcoming appearance at the Arts Barn features an evening with Scott, his guitar and his favorite original songs.  That afternoon he holds a songwriting workshop – “a look at how beef sausage is made.”  Imagery, storytelling, intuition and persistence plus a frank conversation about how the music business has changed so the artist today can reach their fans directly without the record label.  Take advantage of the special combo price of $50 for workshop and concert. Concert alone is $30.


Get your tickets here or in person at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 | Box Office: 301-258-6394

About that last word, malapert – I had to look it up. “Impudently bold in speech or manner; saucy.”  Judging from the directness and insight in his lyrics, that may be true.  We will find out on May 13.

– Lauren Kingsland