Scott Miller and the Commonwealth Take to the Tube

I have been singing the praises of Scott Miller and the Commonwealth for some time. I reviewed Upside Downside in January:

I totally dig the alt-country rock of Scott Miller. Upside Downside, his new one with his band the Commonwealth (Shawn McWilliams – drums, Eric Fritsch – keyboards, Park Chisolm – bass), has stomping roots-rock like “It Didn’t Take too Long” and “Raised By the Graves,” thoughtful folk-rock (“The Way,” “Red Ball Express”), ripping heavy blues-rock (“Pull Your Love”), jangly alt-rock (“Second Chance”), backbeat-heavy retro-rock (“Chill, Relax, Now” – think an instrumental version of Sheryl Crow’s “A Change Would Do You Good”), spunky Tennessee 3-type train-country (“Amtrak Crescent”), meditative country-rock (“Angels Dwell” with harmonies by Patty Griffin, “I’ve Got a Plan,” “For Jack Tymon”), and a little bluegrass (“Ciderville Saturday Night,” with Tim O’Brien on mandolin).

Miller has an appealing, plain and durable tenor, (sometimes reminiscent of a young Glenn Frey) runs a wildly ecclectic, tight band, and is a very fine songwriter in a variety of styles. This is an excellent album, as was its predecessor Thus Always to Tyrants.

Miller also blogged his train trip/concert tour of January and February here.

Now Miller will get some great exposure providing music for a new WB TV comedy series:

Scott Miller has been chosen to join the set of the WB’s
upcoming comedy series, Blue Collar TV, set to debut on Thursday, July 29 at
8:30 pm (EDT). Miller and his band The Commonwealth will set the stage for 8
episodes of the trademark comedy of Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Larry
the Cable Guy. The band will play original material from Miller’s two Sugar
Hill releases, as well as some older favorites and new material. An
instrumental version of “A Mess of This Town” has been chosen as the theme
song for the program.

Inspired by the hugely successful Blue Collar Comedy Tour, the series will
feature the Middle American comedy of Foxworthy et al through stand up and
sketches. The comedy tour has been one of the most successful of its kind,
ranked alongside the Kings of Comedy Tour, which was an unmatched success.

Okay, so it’s the Dumbass Comedy Tour, it’s still great exposure and great exposure is good. Congrats, Scott.