The established Radio Sweethearts line-up was-
John Miller (Vocals,Guitar), Frank Macdonald (Drums, Vocals, etc.), Martin Hayward (Bass Guitar), Brian Taylor (Electric Guitar), Malcolm McMaster (Pedal Steel), John McCusker (Fiddle, Mandolin)
other Radio Sweethearts collaborators (studio and live) include:
Kevin Key (replaced Brian Taylor on Electric Guitar), Gerard Love (Teenage Fanclub) (Bass Guitar - replaced by Martin Hayward), Drew Hamill (Pedal Steel), Stevie Jackson (Belle and Sebastian) (Harmonica, Guitar, Vocals), Alex Chilton (Vocals, Guitar), Johnny Cameron (Banjo, etc), Phil Sakerski (Banjo, Dobro), Willie Gamble (Pedal Steel, Vocals), Mick Bryson (Drums, Vocals), Andy Templeton (Bass Guitar), Martin Barrett (Electric Guitar), Stephen Haddow (Guitar, Vocals), David McLean (Piano), David Scott (Piano, Vocals), Duglas Stewart (Vocals) and many others.
Influences
Hank, Hank Jr., Johnny, Merle, Patsy, Willie, Waylon, Gram, Burritos, Neil Young, Beach Boys, Al Green, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, King Tubby, Classic Country, Country Rock, Classic Soul, Punk, Reggae, etc., etc., etc.......
Also the people who shared a stage/tourbus/etc with us including BMX Bandits, Townes Van Zandt, Coal Porters, Eugenius, Michael Weston King, Bob Woodruff, Steve Young, Thrum, Battlefield Band, BR5-49, The Mavericks, Dale Watson, Michael Shelley, The Gourds, Chuck Prophet, Pink Kross, The Felsons, Jay Sherman-Godfrey, Chip Taylor, Alex Chilton, Michael Hurley, Elaine C Smith, Duglas, Ben Vaughn, John Herald, Heather Myles, Darrell Scott, Tim O'Brien, Laura Cantrell, Cosmic Rough Riders, John McCusker, Kate Rusby, Jonathon Richman, The Pearlfishers, Bis, Dean Owens, The Sunshine Delay, and many more.........
ALSO CHECK OUT www.myspace.com/johnmillerandhiscountrycasuals
Sounds Like
A symphony of straight ahead, washed in the blood country. Lawrence Kay. KALX California
PLEASE NOTE Radio Sweethearts will no longer be accepting friend requests except from people who have some connection, however small, to the Radio Sweethearts story. State your case.
The Radio Sweethearts were formed in 1992 by John Miller and Francis Macdonald to fulfil Miller's dream of being in a proper Country band. Their debut single was released on the San Francisco indie label Swingset in 1994. In 1996 they released their Kim Fowley produced debut album "New Memories" through New Orleans label St.Roch Records making them the first British Country act to secure a record release Stateside without having a record deal in the UK. In 1998 the "New Memories" album was released with six bonus tracks as "New Memories...Revisited" on the newly formed Shoeshine Records. This was followed by the critically acclaimed "Lonesome Blue" album (co-produced by Alex Chilton) on Shoeshine americana offshoot Spit & Polish alongside the debut album from NY Country Darling Laura Cantrell, "Not The Trembling Kind". The Radio Sweethearts acted as Laura's backing band on the Spit & Polish Revue tours of the UK (also featuring the late, great John Herald) and also were the backing band on Laura's debut John Peel session. Radio Sweethearts also recorded their own session for John Peel whom they had befriended after John Miller featured in the Channel 4 TV series John Peel's Sounds Of The Suburbs. John Peel was a great supporter of the band, and also of the later solo John Miller records. Radio Sweethearts recorded tracks for a number of compilation albums, most notably "Shoeshine Chartbusters" (D:Pop - Japan), "Caroline Now - A Tribute to Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys" (Marina - Germany), and "A Tribute To Frankie Miller" (alongside such names as Robert Carlyle, Edwyn Collins, The Proclaimers, Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart and Lulu).
As well as Laura Cantrell, Radio Sweethearts also acted as backing band for a number of other visiting US acts such as Chip Taylor, Ben Vaughn and John Herald.
Although the band never officially split, individual work committments meant that they stopped performing in 2001 (though they did reform for a one-off performance at Christmas 2004) and it remains to be seen if they will ever play together again. Meanwhile why not enjoy the sights and sounds of Radio Sweethearts right here on MySpace. If you need more info on Radio Sweethearts or want to track down the CDs try www.shoeshine.co.uk or www.johnmillermusic.com.
LATEST NEWS New John Miller album should be finished by Christmas. Hope to have copies available by late January/early February. I'll let you know when it's ready. Johnny M
Y'all have been fully Johnny 7 approved ;-) Hope you folks are around for this Friday's Red Nose Day gig of the year. It's for charity. Check this line-up!
so nice to to be in touch again,how are you all doing,hope life is treating you well,i am in france at the moment making a R&B album,with charlie fabert,its going great,but i will be back home soon,mabe we can meet up for a jam,that would be cool,sending you great vibes for a fantastic week,take care all the best wishes
JOHN MILLER and his Country Casuals (original line-up). Friday 21st November '08 Woodend Bowling and Tennis Club 30 Chamberlain Rd, Glasgow, G13 1QE Tickets Available Now from TicketsScotland
haven't heard these songs in a while. takes me back to those monday nights at the 13th note. brilliant stuff and sadly missed.
come on guys....just one more gig. for old times sake.
The band that helped me get started on my musical journey, thanks to John and Francis for all the help in those early days New Memories, Great Memories.
