Country music is not a genre that most people I know listen to or give a crap about. And most country music fans seem to settle for whatever the hottest trend on the radio is. A discerning listener, however, will pick out a few special country acts which deserve applause from all music fans, even those who hate country. One of those is the incredible Emmylou Harris. Her voice and music can make time melt away.

Buddy and Julie Miller have been friends with Harris. Buddy Miller is the main guitar player in her backing band. Julie Miller contributes vocals to many of her recent cds, in addition to having written some of the songs. Even more important to that, perhaps, is that each Buddy and Julie Miller have a wonderful collection of their own solo releases.

Each of Buddy Miller's solo releases have featured Julie Miller very prominantly. She writes a lot of the songs and adds vocals to most of the songs. Julie Miller's cds also feature her husband, Buddy. Yet this is the first time that both of their names have appeared on the cover.

The cd cover features both Buddy and Julie Miller sitting on a colorful couch. Buddy's chin is resting on his hands and Julie is looking at him lovingly. Flip the cd case over and it's a simular setting, only Julie has her chin in her hand and is trying not to laugh. You get the feeling that this might be a fun romp through country land.

And it is. Each song is smart and well crafted. Buddy and Julie's voices blend and croon in a way that only people with lots of experience in country can. The songs are bristling with personality. You can tell they truely love music and creating it. Plus, not surprisingly, Emmylou Harris donates her vocals for a song.

While people who hate country will not appriciate them, Buddy and Julie Miller deserve that special applause, along with the person the collaborate with, Emmylou Harris.

peace.