Biscuit Miller & The Mix
Biscuit Miller has done it again! Following on the success of “Wishbone” comes his 4th Studio Album, “Chicken Grease”. This time around Biscuit has teamed up with Producer Ben Elliot, who has recorded, mixed and produced artists for over 25 years. Ben is known for his expertise in diverse musical genres, having recorded classic artists such as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, and specializes in the Blues genre. This has turned out to be a great collaboration for Biscuit Miller’s 2019 release of “Chicken Grease”!
Biscuit and his band, The Mix, have been touring extensively ever since winning his first BMA in 2012, recording and releasing “Wishbone” in 2016, and winning a second BMA in 2017. The Mix is a sometimes-changing cast of players, but bassist and front man Biscuit Miller is consistently known for his high energy shows and blazing million-dollar smile. He is a born entertainer and is at home on the stage where he connects with his audience through a fun and funky approach to the blues.
Biscuit was introduced to the bass for the first time at the age of eleven when visiting his friend Datrick. It was sitting in a corner collecting dust when the young Biscuit picked it up and started playing it. The four string electric bass belonged to Datrick’s older brother Darnell, who taught him a couple of songs. Biscuit took to it immediately and thus began a love affair with playing bass that has taken him places he could never have imagined. He formed his first band, Clever, with childhood friend Ivan Wallace. They moved to Minneapolis in 1982. Soon after, a mutual friend, Joe Rowe introduced Biscuit to Sonny Rogers who taught him a lot about playing basic blues. During his time with Rogers, they recorded “They Call Me the Cat Daddy”, which won Rogers a Handy Award for Best New Artist. Sadly, Sonny passed away before he was able to accept the award.
Biscuit then went on to play with other respected blues artists such as, Mojo Buford, formerly with Muddy Waters, and Lady Blue, backup vocalist for Ike and Tina Turner. One day, Biscuit received a phone call requesting him to come back home to sub for Chicago’s own legendary Lonnie Brooks who needed a bass player for one night. That one night lasted for over ten years as Biscuit became the permanent bass player for the Lonnie Brooks Band.
In 2000 he formed Biscuit and The Mix to fill up some down-time. During this time, he also completed his first studio recording “Come Together”. Biscuit frequently could be found sitting in with the up and coming blues guitarist Anthony Gomes. During one of these sessions, he was asked to join the band full time and he spent the next five years touring with Anthony. During his time with Anthony Gomes, they released five CD’s; Unity, Sweet Stringin’ Soul, Long Way Home, Music is the Medicine, and Live at the Triple Door.
By 2009 Biscuit was fronting his own band, touring the country playing clubs and festivals, and gaining respect as a front man and bassist alike. Biscuit Miller has graced the covers of several publications, including the 2006 Blues Fest Guide and the February/March 2010 edition of Big City Rhythm & Blues. In 2012 he was awarded his first Blues Music Award following the release of his second studio recording, “Blues With A Smile”. Having received wide air play on Sirius XM Radio, “Blues With A Smile” is aptly named, as Biscuit is known around the world for his huge, heartfelt smile as well as his antics as a funky bassist turned front man.
His 2016 release, “Wishbone”, brought Biscuit even more success and a second BMA in 2017. His reach has expanded to garner international recognition and an ever-increasing fan base. He has played Blues Festivals in Quebec in 2018, and the Grolsch Blues Festival in Germany in the summer of 2019 in addition to several festivals in North America, one of which can be heard on a live recording that was released independently in 2017. When he is not busy touring or recording, Biscuit loves to spend time with his friends and family. His grandchildren are especially precious to him. Also precious to him are the rare occasions when he is able to sit down with his entire family over a home cooked meal. Like the one that happened on Thanksgiving when his 3rd album, “Wishbone” was born!
Of course, like “Wishbone”, there is a back story to his choosing the title of “Chicken Grease” which has to do with Biscuit’s newly found passion for the game of golf. But, that’s a story you’ll have to ask him about in person! Biscuit & The Mix love connecting with their many fans and friends whenever and wherever they play, so please watch for them to come to a venue or festival near you! You won’t be disappointed.
And in the words of the man himself, “Put Some Chicken Grease On It!”