John R. Miller is a singer-songwriter-picker from West Virginia, who has been making music since he was a teenager. He was born on July 4, 1985, in Martinsburg, where he grew up surrounded by the rich history and culture of the Appalachian region. He started playing guitar and writing songs when he was 15, influenced by punk music, old time and traditional fiddle music, and the 1970s Texas songwriters like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.
He released his first solo album, Service Engine, in 2014, which showcased his distinctive voice and his knack for storytelling. He then formed the band The Engine Lights, which consists of Chloe Edmonstone on fiddle and vocals, and David Estes on drums and vocals. The band released their debut album, The Trouble You Follow, in 2018, which received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The album featured songs that explored themes such as love, loss, addiction, and redemption, with a blend of country, blues, and rock.
Miller is also a member of the band Prison Book Club, which he co-founded with his friends William Matheny, Ian Thornton, and Adam Meisterhans. The band has released three albums, Prison Book Club (2011), In the Yard (2013), and Gold (2016), which showcase their eclectic and energetic sound. Miller has also collaborated with other artists, such as Tyler Childers, who is one of his biggest long-time fans and has invited him to open for him on several occasions.
Miller is currently touring his second solo album, Depreciated, which was released in July 2023. The album is produced by Justin Francis and features guest appearances from S.G. Goodman, Margo Price, and Erin Rae. The album also includes a cover of Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and a duet with Goodman on her song "Space and Time". The album is a reflection of Miller's personal and musical journey, as he says, "It's about looking back on the past and trying to make sense of it, while also looking forward to the future and hoping for the best."
John R. Miller is a talented and versatile artist, who has used his music to express his honest and heartfelt views on the world and himself. He is a proud West Virginian and a country music singer, who has said that he wants to "make music that matters to me and hopefully to others too."