Just as slow-moving bayous and magnificent moss-laden oaks conjure images of French Louisiana, so do the syncopated rhythms and plaintive melodies of Chris Miller and Bayou Roots evoke the ghosts of the pioneers of the Louisiana sound. Ancient airs take on new life, twin violins retrace the path of the Acadians migration to Louisiana, and the music of the 20th century Cajun dancehall is punctuated with accents of diatonic accordion riffs and a steady bass and guitar accompaniment. The network of musical roots also reaches back to early Creole "la-la" music and stretches evermore toward the more modern sounds of Zydeco in the band’s varied but indigenous sound. Toward the horizon the listener and dancer experience a musical bayou fortified with newly composed music enriched with a bluesy chromatic accordion and a saxophone speaking the language of swamp-pop. Take a musical journey that is as authentic as the people, places and events that define Louisiana culture and discover your own Bayou Roots.
Chris was interested in music from the time he was born. His parents recall that he made a habit of waking early so that he could hear the "French Music" on KLFY's morning show "Passe Partout." Chris was also fond of singing and dancing around his home to his father's self-styled guitar playing. In fact, there always seemed to be music in the neighborhood. Most of Chris' aunts, uncles and grandparents lived within three miles or so. Many family members played guitar; Uncle Nolan Miller played accordion, fiddle, guitar, and few licks on the piano. After noting his early interests in music, his parents purchased a piano and Chris began lessons. This continued for a while until he decided that he could play boogie, swamp pop and country without taking any further lessons. Chris composed a few songs in middle school and won a few talent contests with his original piano works. As Chris approached his teens, he began to devote himself more and more to Cajun music and to teach himself Cajun accordion, guitar, and later fiddle. There were many other local influences besides his closely knit extended family who resided four miles north of Lacassine. Raul and Reoul LeBlanc played the old style of Cajun accordion that Chris grew to love. Harris Leger, a family friend and accordionist who was never recorded, also provided hours of inspiration at family gatherings and camping trips. The Vanicors of Lacassine and Welsh provided Chris with many opportunities to play and to learn from veterans of Cajun music's early years. Chris is a seasoned performer and entertainer. In 1999 Chris helped to form Louisiana's Kingfish which has had great success playing throughout Louisiana, Texas, and the 2001 Montreal Jazz Festival. In 2000 Kingfish released the CD Life in a One-Horse Town which continues to sell well and influence Louisiana music. For this CD Chris provided interesting and innovative arrangements, vocals, and accordion, fiddle, and guitar tracks. Chris has also played throughout the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. and France with Hadley Castille, the Cajun Swamp Fiddler. He also played at the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio with Rodney LeJeune and the Texas Cajun Playboys. Chris has won many accordion-playing contests throughout South Louisiana and Southeast Texas. He is in demand as a studio musician for projects that require that special "Cajun Sound". He has taught accordion to many young students including Sean Vidrine and Kaleb Trahan. Chris has Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Education from McNeese State University and is Choral Director at Barbe High School and First Presbyterian Church in Lake Charles.
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Chris Miller and Bayou Roots's Friend Space (Top 6)
Thanks for the add. Hope to see yall on the 1st. We're playing The Omelet festival in Abbeville on the 1st also. Hope to make it back in time. I'll bring yall some eggs...
thanks mr. miller!! yeah, im glad i did it too, it was only seven dollars anyway, and after the tryouts my throat felt a lot better, i think it was those exercises we did!
