Photo Credit: Stephen Johnson

Alex Miller recently dropped a new album “More Country Than You”, and he couldn’t be more excited. “I think More Country Than You shows every side of me, more than anything I have done in the past. I think it shows my true country roots and where I want to branch off into with songwriting and my career.” The album features duets with ACM Female Artist of the Year nominee Emily Ann Roberts and 90s country star Tracy Byrd.

Listening to it in my car the other day, his songs strike me as cheesy but fun, portraying a good ole down-home country boy. When asked if that fits him Alex laughs. “I guess so. A lot of them are autobiographical”. In addition to his own music, Miller has been getting songwriting cuts with other artists, mostly in the bluegrass genre. The Del McCoury Band just picked one up, as well as an upcoming duet featuring Allie Colleen and Carter Winter. “To be honest with you I write songs like I’m going to sing them. I figure if I’m not ashamed to sing it somebody else might not be either” laughs Miller.

As far as his music goes Alex has often been called a Neo-Traditional artist, leaning more toward classic country. He believes the new album leans towards his band’s 90s influences. Alex is a big fan of 90s country music, saying he likes just about everybody from that era. His favorites include Tracy Lawrence, Tracy Byrd, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Joe Diffie, Darryl Singletary, Shania Twain, Terri Clark, and JoDee Messina.

Alex started singing when he was just three years old. Grandpa took him to play his first show at age seven. “From there I fell in love with it, and I don’t want to do anything else.”

Growing up his family had a major influence on his music. “My dad had George Strait and Tracy Byrd records that I would listen to. Those are the two I remember the most. Having that duet on there with old T-Bird is quite an honor for me and I know my dad loves it too.” I remark on the cleverness of the song and the catch phrase “give them the Byrd” and Alex gets excited. “That’s probably one of the cleverest things I’ve ever come up with. I’m so proud of that song. That was all my idea.” He recalls meeting Byrd in an elevator by chance and says they became instant friends.

His grandpa was perhaps his biggest inspiration. “He wasn’t a musician, but he loved music and he was always playing great music around the house for me. Whenever I was young and riding around on the farm he’d play Hank Williams, Buck Owens, and all those artists. Growing up around those two influences my dad and my grandpa certainly influenced what I’m playing now and what I’m listening to now too.”

You may remember Alex Miller from Season 19 of American Idol. While he may have only made it to the Showstoppers round, he left a mark on Luke Bryan who invited him to play the Grand Ole Opry upon departure. When asked about the experience Alex shares “I was 17 and naive and didn’t know where life was going to lead me, didn’t know what I wanted to do. So, mom said Well I’m going to sign you up for American Idol, we’ll see how this music turns out for you.” He auditioned on a whim, and it worked out. After graduation he had plans to go to college for carpentry and construction but figured he’d give this a shot first. “I had no other options at that point. It’s always what my heart, what I’ve always wanted to do.”

I’ve seen Idol box contestants in a lane, but Alex found he was able to be genuine. “For me I was so different there was never really a lane for me. I was such a personality that they kept me on there. I was able to be myself and kind of branch off and do my own thing. I’m very grateful for that.”

The biggest lesson he took away from his brief stint on Idol was that authenticity is important. “I’ve always been who I am, and I’ve never been ashamed of it or afraid of it. Being on that show, showed me that if I am who I am people seem to like that.” Since then, he has stayed true to himself and that seems to resonate with fans.

When asked if he’s been watching this season of American Idol the answer is yes. His favorite? Hannah Harper, a stay-at-home mom from rural Missouri. While Alex thinks her voice is great, it’s her authenticity that stands out. “I think she’s the real deal and I think she’s going to go far, hopefully in the country music field” he predicts.

In his spare time Alex enjoys building guitars and fishing. His latest hobby is making bolo ties that go perfectly with his outfits from Cowboy Hardware Western Wear, a company out of Arizona. He’s also a Kentucky Proud Ambassador; repping Agricultural products locally made such as Jim Beam and Ski-Doo. 

What’s next? Alex just released dates for a summer tour. “Got quite the road schedule coming up. I’m excited for me and the Kentucky Cowboys to put a little rubber on those tires.” He’s also got a few shows coming up opening for Craig Campbell, Ernest, Parmalee and Tracy Byrd. The future looks bright for this cowboy and we can’t wait to see what it brings.