DJ Miller

I've hit the jack pot on this find.
DJ Miller is from Idaville Indiana, he's 21 years old and he's working his way up the country star ladder one rung at a time.
His father, Darryll Miller, was in a country band when DJ was a little boy.
Often times he would accompany his father on stage.
His microphone was a toilet plunger with a microphone duct taped to the handle.
Talk about a glamorous start!

The first time I saw DJ Miller was at a Mark Wills concert in the summer of 2011.
He opened the show and had such an amazing presence.
He knows how to own a stage, that's for sure.
Miller believes that the ability to entertain a crowd is the single most important thing when it comes to a live show.
I absolutely agree with his philosophy.
He loves getting involved with the crowd, running around the stage, and singing love ballads to his female fans.

“You can’t be the only one having fun,” Miller explains. “You have to interact with the crowd. You want them to be wondering what’s gonna happen next. If you just stand there and sing your songs and play your music, you might sound really good, but if you don’t give your fans a real show, then they may not have a reason to come back and see you again.” -DJ Miller

Miller grew up watching Garth Brooks concerts on his TV set and has been strongly influenced by his high-energy-guitar-smashing shows.
He also grew to appreciate Brad Paisley's guitar shredding solos, which has had an effect on DJ Miller's live show.

“I would tape the Garth Brook's live concerts on television as a little kid and then watch them over and over,” he remembers. “I saw him do all these crazy things on stage, but the crowd loved every minute of it, and I recognized that. It was at that point that I decided I wanted to go into Country music.” -DJ Miller

DJ got started at a young age. He would play where ever he could; state fairs, talent shows, you name it.
Things really started taking off for him when he met producer Jonny Morris in 2009.

Every fan has a place in DJ's heart and he wants everyone to have an exceptional experience at one of his concerts.

“It’s always important to make that person in the front row feel special,” he says, “but to me, the real key is making that person in the back row feel just as special.” -DJ Miller

Don't take my word for it though, hear it from DJ himself.
He will steal your heart like he did mine with this video.
Everything he says about country music is how I feel about it, it's real.

Listen to "Between Sundays".
Visit his website.
Here is another fun video to help you get to know him better.
DJ live.
Facebook.

I hope y'all enjoy him and his music as much as I do!

Charley Jenkins

Every time I find an artist that I think is amazing I get super excited and do a little research on them.

I think where people come from and their story is so important because often times it influences their music greatly.

What's really cool is Charley Jenkins is from my mom's hometown, and without knowing him I can recognize some of his influences because I know that land.

I know those people.

When he singings the words "A helping hand is just a stone's throw away. You're standing on solid ground when you're standing in this town. Love thy neighbor; it's all about, round here" I can relate to that.

I have memories of being a little girl and visiting my granddaddy's farm and helping people or visa versa.

I have personally been touched by that place.

I love that there is a song that captures the feeling of that town.

When Roosevelt's very own Charley Jenkins made his first album "Round Here" neighbors, friends, and family teamed up to raise $15,000 to help him record it.

Charley Jenkins was on a tv show called Nashville star (the same show Miranda Lambert got her start.)
Charley made it to the top 12.

His accomplishments in country music go on.
He as three albums out "Round Here" "Ridin" and "Hold On".
He has joined the following artists on stage:
Taylor Swift

Jason Aldean

Lady Antebellum

LeAnn Rhimes

Kellie Pickler

Emerson Drive

and many others.

His career is just starting.
I'm on the fan train with no return ticket!
I hope you will give him a listen because if you do, you too, will be ready to board this one way train.

Click here to listen to "Hold On"

                                           

Due West

Last night I went to a musical performance at the tabernacle in Salt Lake City.

It was spectacular.

Billy Dean, Thurl Bailey, Due West, Nashville Tribute Band, David Osmond, and many others sang and shared their musical talents.

I met a wonderfully kind woman there, her name was Nancy and she introduced me to the members of the Due West band.

They were so kind and humble.

I love their music.

Matt Lopez is from Wyoming and his song writing abilities helped him break into the the music business. He helped write the song "Love's Lookin' Good on You", which the popular Country band Lady Antebellum picked up.

Brad Hull's roots are in Arizona. He started learning to play the guitar when he was eleven years old. He studied the music business a lot and learned what to look for in a songwriter and about songs and how they make money.

Tim Gates was born and raised in Utah. He started out as a social worker and made his way into the music business. He feels that music is another way he can help people.

They all work hard on their music, and they bring real emotions to the people who listen to them.

I, personally, go my first laugh line last night. I didn't stop smiling the whole time they were on stage.

Help support them in their endeavor.

Read about how their band got together here. {It's a great story!}
Get a feel for their music here. {You won't stop listening!}
Find them on Facebook here. {And like 'em!}

They perform all around Utah, they are great live, you need to see them.

Billy Dean and me

Ang, me, Jason Deere, and Kenzie

Ang, Brad Hull, me, and Kenzie 

Ang, me, Matt Lopez, and Kenzie

fuzzy picture of us with Diamond Rio's Dan Truman