Photo Credit: Straight South Imagery

Like many of you, I first heard of Lancaster KY native Alex Miller from watching season 19 of American Idol. When asked about his experience on the show Miller is candid. He was only seventeen while on the show and thrown into a whole new world. “The Idol stuff is crazy. It’s really opened a lot of doors for me. You can’t buy the kind of exposure Idol gave me.” He adds “I had no idea how lucky I was when I got on the show but I’m so grateful for everyone that has listened to my music and watched me on Idol. It changed my life.”

On the flipside, the biggest lesson he took away from Idol is authenticity. “I think the biggest thing I learned from Idol is that it’s okay to be myself. The world has everybody else, and I need to make an Alex Miller out there in this world.” He confides “Idol wanted me to be pop and do pop country and change and pivot. And that is not who I am. It’s not who I’ll ever be. And I think what’s wrong with being who you are.”

When asked if he feels he must prove himself post Idol he says “I think every musician has to prove themselves every time they step out onstage. What I think makes it easier is whenever you lean into who you are as an artist. I’m a Kentucky traditional country artist. That’s what I am. I’ve leaned into that and accepted that.”

Another thing that has really helped Alex in his career is the Future Farmers of America organization. He was honored to receive his American degree. That is the highest degree you can get, and he had to retire his jacket. “FFA has been something that has really shaped my life. It really is an organization that is designed to grow leaders. There’s been a lot of politicians, a lot of musicians, and a lot of great people that came out of the FFA. I’m so thankful to be one of them.”

He believes that some people are born leaders. “Some things can be taught. You can be molded into one and that’s what FFA does well. A lot of kids especially are very shy and insecure about who they are and who they want to be. FFA provides a path that shows them that you can be a leader, and you can do things in life. FFA is a great organization to get kids out of their shells and let them be who they really are.”

Miller got to make his Grand Ole Opry debut this past year and couldn’t be prouder. “That was a full circle moment no pun intended. I started out singing at all these little places in Kentucky and mine and my granddad’s goal was to play the Opry. In fact, I have a poster at home when I was in kindergarten. My goal was to play on the Grand Ole Opry and be a member so I’m working on that one.”

Alex has been a long time fan of the Opry and loves that it gives musicians something to aspire towards. He never thought he’d get the chance to play there so early on in his career and is extremely grateful. It was a complete shock when Eddie Montgomery showed up on his doorstep and invited him to play.

He just dropped a brand-new duet “The Byrd” with Tracy Byrd. “Everybody is talking about 90s country and how important it is but nobody is doing anything with those 90s country acts. I love Tracy and I’ve met him a few times. He’s just like me. A down to earth guy. Knows what he is. Knows what he wants to do. ” Although Miller wasn’t born in the 90s, he admits to being a connoisseur of that music. His favorites include Tracy Byrd, Mark Chestnut, George Strait, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, and Skip Ewing.

He also has a duet out with Emily Anne Roberts, “More Country Than You”. The song is described as traditional country, and he encourages everyone to add it to their playlist.

Millers’ goal is to have a hit record. To turn on the radio and hear his songs. He has been releasing new music, trying to grow a great catalog. Always looking for the next big hit.

He is planning on releasing an album early next year. No title yet. He jokes perhaps “More Country” or “Give them the Byrd”. He tells us there will be more music coming later this year. “Stay on the line and we’ll keep you reeled in”.