Though he called Tennessee home for quite a while, Scott Miller has always been a Virginia boy. Heck, he even named his band The Commonwealth. After years away, during which Scott was on the road with The V-Roys and the aforementioned Commonwealth, recording for Sugar Hill Records and his own F.A.Y Recordings, and, most recently, collaborating with Rayna Gellert, formally of Uncle Earl, Scott has moved back to Virginia to his hometown of Swoope.
Between recording and time on the road, Scott is now back on the 200 acre dairy farm on which he grew up. Scott’s hometown of Swoope is just outside Staunton in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Having returned to his small town beginnings, Scott set about writing his new record, Big Big World. I recently caught up with Scott to chat a bit about both his hometown and some of his favorite spots on the road.
BRO – Favorite hometown music venue?
SM – I’d like to use my lifeline for this question. I grew up here and only moved back two years ago – and it goes without saying that Staunton has changed a bit from the 1970s/80s – so I am not familiar with the local scene. Hell, even back then – I actually grew up in Swoope – we’d rarely come to town, so I couldn’t have answered this question even back in the day. In all my years of touring, I managed to avoid playing back in the area when I grew up because playing in front of family, high school teachers, and a Scoutmaster brings together worlds that freak me out. Stupid, I know. Mea cupla.
BRO – How about your favorite venue on the road?
SM - Wanna say which of your co-workers you like best? In public??? There are so many to choose from over the years as a performer and/or patron. The Down Home in Johnson City, Tennessee, is a favorite, as is The Southgate House in Newport, Kentucky. I just played The Ryman in Nashville again on this last tour, so let’s say THAT ONE. For now.
BRO – Best local outdoor adventure?
SM – Give me a canoe and the Cowpasture River in Bath County, please.
BRO – One interesting fact about your hometown?
SM – Staunton is the hometown of The Statler Brothers.
BRO – Must see spot for a visiting out-of-towner?
SM – Marino’s. And bring cash. Debit cards are for phonies.
BRO – Best spot for a post-show libation?
SM – See above.
You can catch Scott at The Southern Café & Music Hall in Charlottesville tonight. Scott is then off to the Hanesbrands Theater in Winston-Salem tomorrow and then back to Roanoke at Kirk Avenue Music Hall on Saturday.
For more dates and info on Big Big World, surf over to www.thescottemiller.com. Also, be sure to check out “Freightrain Heart/Stonewall Love” on this month’s Trail Mix.
