MUSIC THAT MATTERS - BUDDY AND JULIE MILLER

I first started listening to Julie Miller in 1990 with the release of her CD, "Meet Julie Miller." I was hooked. Her voice a combination of Cindi Lauper and Patty Griffin. Her songwriting: beautiful, melodic, creative, touching.

Her first couple of CD's were somewhat commercial and distributed through a Contemporary Christian Music label. There are some great songs from this era: What Would Jesus Do, You Knew The Way To My Heart, How Could You Sat No, Broken Things, Manger Throne, just to name a few...

In the mid 90's Julie left the contemporary Christian music, signed with a secular label began distributing her music to the mainstream. Her love for God, belief in redemption and passion for Jesus continued to breathe life into her music. But instead of a commercial, pop sound, her new music reflected a more organic, earthy, some would say "alternative country" approach.

In the late 90's I got introduced to the music of her incredibly talented husband, Buddy Miller. The guy is somewhat of a legend in the country music industry, playing with legends like Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams. He's respected as an ace musician and a killer songwriter. If you like "old school" country and don't have any of his CD's you are missing a treat.

Check out his CD's: Your Love and Other Lies, Poison Love, Cruel Moon, Midnight and Lonesome and Universal United House of Prayer. These are some of the best CD's you'll experience. They are amazing.

Unfortunately, Buddy and Julie have only recorded a couple of full length CD's together. In 2001 they recorded "Buddy and Julie Miller." This CD is incredible. When it first came out, I literally wore it out. Wow.

Last week, the world got a gift, when Buddy and Julie released another masterpiece: "Written In Chalk."

Warning: I love rock and roll! Love it! This is NOT rock and roll. This CD is classic American music. It's mostly "old school country," but sometimes flirts with blues, jazz and "rock-a-billy." Never mind the music, check out the writing. Amazing.

Most of the songs were written by Julie. She's without a doubt one of the most gifted writers God has given us.

Here's my shot at a review:

The CD opens with "Ellis County." This is pure country and a longing to leave the complexity of a modern world that can drive a person insane, and somehow recover the simplicity of another time. Great song.

"Gasoline and Matches" will make you smile. It could have been lifted right out of the Song of Solomon. Again, it's pure country with a little bit of "rock-a-billy" thrown in. A great song about romance and passion.

The song "Don't Say Goodbye" is one of the most beautiful, sad, touching songs I've heard in recent memory. The first time I heard it, I almost broke. The song could describe the "break up" of a relationship or the loss a person has experienced because of the death of a loved one. This song is worth the price of the entire CD.

"What You Gonna Do Leroy" is a cover of a Mel Tillis song. Buddy's vocals are great on this one.

The smokey blues / jazz of "Long Time" is haunting. Again, a song about loss. Maybe a broken relationship or death? I'm not certain, but the song is excellent.

"One Part, Two Part" is another cover. Strong song.

One of the highlights of the CD is the cut that inspired the title of the CD, "Chalk." Buddy teams up vocally with Patty Griffin on this song. Once again, Julie provides the lyrics. One word: Wow.

All our words are written down in chalk
Out in the rain on the sidewalk
If all our heartaches were in a stack
They'd go all the way up to heaven and back
We don't know all the trouble we're in
We don't know how to get home again
Jesus come and save us from our sin

"Every Time We Say Goodbye" is another song about loss. The lyrics are profound.

Love holds a seed of tragedy
You must lay down your life to live
Seems you become the very thing that you will not forgive

"Hush, Sorrow" is pure country with elegant songwriting. Regina McCrary joins Buddy on the vocals. Once again, haunting. Beautiful. Personal.

"Memphis Jane" is more "rock a billy" alternative country. The song is a true story about a girl with some major problems who jumped into the car with Julie and just said, "Drive." The song shares a bit of her story...

"June" is Julie's tribute to June Carter Cash. Once again, beautiful. Personal.

The CD closes with a cover of Leon Payne's song "The Selfishness In Man." The song has been recorded by legends like George Jones, but Buddy and Julie do an incredible job. One word: Amen.


I remember picking my Dad up at the airport on a visit he took when we were living in South Florida. I had just gotten hooked on Buddy Miller. So I popped in one of Buddy's CD's. Dad was hooked. We listened to it all weekend. I've thought a lot about Dad this week as I listened to the new CD.

"Say a prayer for the ones love left behind
Cause a broken heart grown cold is the hardest burden you can find
There's a bottle where God keeps all our tears saved up inside
But it's gonna take a river for all the ones I have cried..."
~ Don't Say Goodbye, Julie Miller

Be warned: this is COUNTRY - and I do mean COUNTRY MUSIC.

Challenge: if you don't like raw, earthy, organic country music, just check out the lyrics. Seldom does anyone write lyrics that are this personal, deep, compassionate, touching and meaningful.

Go to Amazon or iTunes and download the mp3's. Pick up the CD at Best Buy. This is music that matters.