Sturgill Simpson Drummer Miles Miller Announces Debut Album

You probably know him from being the drummer, bandleader, and harmony singer for Sturgill Simpson during Sturgill’s rise to fame. But if Miles Miller has his way, soon you’ll be regarding him as your new favorite country-flavored singer/songwriter. Miles Miller was also the drummer on those big Tyler Childers albums, as well as a member of the band Town Mountain. But on July 7th, 2023, he will release his debut album called Solid Gold via Thirty Tigers, and embark as a solo artist.
Though Miles is synonymous with Sturgill Simpson to many, he was actually discovered by early Sturgill Simpson producer Dave Cobb who saw Miller playing drum covers on YouTube in 2009 when Miller was just 16. Fast forward a few years and Cobb introduced Miles Miller to Sturgill after Sturg let his first band Sunday Valley go. As a more “in-the-pocket” player who could also contribute harmony vocals, Miles Miller was a perfect fit.
But this whole time, Miller was a guitar player as well. In fact, he calls it his first love. This is one of the reasons that he had an ear to mind the melody when playing drums. During the pandemic and Sturgill Simpson’s retirement (for now), Miles found the time and opportunity to pick the guitar back up, and start singing and writing again. The results are Solid Gold.

Miles cites singing drummer Levon Helm of The Band, Stanton Moore of Galactic, and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones as his drumming influences, and once told Gretsch drums, “Learn to play to songs, not just drum solos,” so this transition for Miles shouldn’t be entirely unexpected. It also feels necessary since Sturgill Simpson isn’t currently touring.
Miles Miller has been booked as one of the openers on the Tyler Childers “Send In The Hounds” tour, playing multiple dates in June. Miles is being managed by TMWRK, who also manages Sturgill Simpson and the Turnpike Troubadours.
Ahead of the release of the new album, Miles Miller has released the title track, solo written by Miller himself, and with Sturgill Simpson credited as the producer. It features Miller’s surprisingly soulful voice, and ample slide guitar.
Solid Gold is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Solid Gold
2. Don’t Give Away Love
3. Passed Midnight
4. A Feeling Called Lonesome
5. In A Daze
6. My Sanity
7. Highway Shoes
8. Where Daniel Stood
9. Even If
10. Seeing Clear
11. Always November
12. I Wish
February 24, 2023 @ 10:49 am
So far so good!
February 24, 2023 @ 11:23 am
I just saw Town Mountain and didn’t recognize Miller on the drum kit! I’ll defiantly check out the full-length. Solid Gold sounds light and summery (in comparison to Channing Wilson).
February 24, 2023 @ 12:03 pm
I believe he played on their recent album, and toured with them for a bit, but isn’t a permanent member.
February 24, 2023 @ 12:12 pm
I just went back and looked at my pictures from last Thursday night and he wasn’t the drummer. Thanks!
February 24, 2023 @ 11:46 am
With the chord progression, beat, and electric slide guitar, it hear a little bit of Allman Bros in the title track. Hopefully more of it to come!
February 25, 2023 @ 2:05 am
agreed
February 25, 2023 @ 12:28 pm
The acoustic guitar licks in Solid Gold sound like something from the Wilder Blue (specifically from “River Roll”)
I like the electric licks alot too.
Lyrically it’s average, but I’m for sure excited to see what the rest of the album looks like
February 24, 2023 @ 12:13 pm
Am I the only one who is extremely disappointed with his style?
February 24, 2023 @ 2:44 pm
Closer, it’s a 70s am rock style. Reminds me of Allman Bros Band, Ozark Mountain Daredevils and a few other country rock bands of the past. He’s not hard-core southern rock by any means either. I actually like the style but I won’t be classifying it as country music.
I’m no Sturgill Simpson fan BTW, and I’m glad he’s not a clone of that style
February 24, 2023 @ 12:18 pm
And even calling this “country-flavored” is a stretch.
February 24, 2023 @ 2:40 pm
It’s definitely Southern
February 24, 2023 @ 3:33 pm
This is just one song folks. If you don’t like it, that’s totally understandable. Just bringing attention to it because this is a guy many readers of SCM have seen on stage many times. I look forward to the project.
February 24, 2023 @ 1:44 pm
Sturgill’s production again sounds top notch, really nice.
I don’t find it strong lyrically though and I think I would like his singing more if there were more substance with the words. They are just kinda vanilla.
Do intend to give it a few more spins and I am looking forward to the rest.
February 24, 2023 @ 3:39 pm
Is that Laur on the slide guitar?
February 24, 2023 @ 4:06 pm
I have seen numerous people say that it is, but I have been unable to independently verify that yet. Miles is repped by Sacks & Co., which means that the press is basically in the dark about the entire project and left to fend for themselves while Sacks collects egregious retainers from Miles and his team for doing virtually nothing. See my rant on yesterday’s posts about February 24th releases for more context about Sacks. All the info here I had to sleuth myself, and the only reason Whiskey Riff wrote about it is because they saw it here. No press release, no media outreach, nothing. I hope to get more info about the project before the release.
March 3, 2023 @ 10:31 am
Miles posted the players today and Laur is on it.
February 24, 2023 @ 4:06 pm
Really liked the track as a teaser, and the direction of the album.
If he’s really set on a solo career, he’s gotta work with someone on his vocals though. Tone is there, but there’s no range.
February 24, 2023 @ 7:01 pm
I like it. There are a few videos on YouTube of him picking and singing solo. Does anyone know if Miles had session players or he playing guitar and drums?
February 24, 2023 @ 7:50 pm
loving this so far, hope the rest of his album is in a similar vein
February 25, 2023 @ 2:32 am
lotsa talent in the Town Mountain collective.
February 25, 2023 @ 7:14 am
This sounds promising based on the single. Agree on the Allmans influence and a 70’s singer/songwriter vibe which is good by me. Congrats to Miles going from the back of the stage behind the kit to frontman. Worked out pretty well for Dave Grohl and Phil Collins but it must be a huge leap for a drummer. Been digging on another drummer turned writer/vocalist/guitarist named Jake Stringer. Not sure if I’ve see him mentioned on SCM or maybe in the comments, but worth checking out. Deep, gravelly voice over steel soaked country rock. Fans of Cody, Ward, Dallas, etc… definitely check him out. Can’t wait to see him live here in a few weeks as well.
February 25, 2023 @ 5:40 pm
Sturgill always buries the vocals as producer.
February 26, 2023 @ 7:54 pm
Maybe it’s because I’m 50 now, but I find that more and more of an issue with new recordings and live shows.
February 26, 2023 @ 7:23 am
I like this, though not sure I’d say I love it.This songs has kind of that 70s radio southern rock sound to it. Interested to see if the whole album continues this, or if there is a broader sound.
Interesting list of influences for drums. Levon Helm, Stanton Moore, and Charlie Watts, are all quite a bit different. Stanton alone plays quite a diverse type of musical styles, and is currently recording with stoner rock band Corrosion of Conformity. His second album with them.
February 26, 2023 @ 2:56 pm
He also played on David Quinn’s last two albums. Looking forward to checking this out.