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Rob Miller’s New Traditional Gospel Album, ‘I Just Want to Thank You Lord, Every Day’ Just Released

Dec. 23, 2013. “I Just Want to Thank You Lord, Everyday,” a debut  CD album by award-winning Ashe County traditional mountain gospel singer Rob Miller has just been released. The locally produced CD contains 18 selections, including three original compositions written by Miller. 

Rob Miller_gardenRob Miller was born in the northwestern mountains of Ashe County, near the Virginia state line. By the time he was nine years old, Miller had been influenced by his next door neighbor, the late Walter Graham, a Baptist song leader, deacon and music teacher. 

Graham taught “Shape Note” singing, an a Capella traditional form which uses a tuning fork to help the singers find the proper key, since the songs were rarely accompanied by instruments. Miller attended several Shape Note singing schools and used his knowledge to learn a variety of traditional church hymns. 

By the age of sixteen, Miller was leading the church choir. He sang with his sister, Brenda Miller, as Robert and Brenda. Rob became the lead singer with the Messengers Trio, a gospel group. He also sang with the Gospel Four Quartet of Ashe County as the soprano lead in the four-part harmony ensemble. 

The Gospel Four appeared live on WCYB-TV in Bristol, Tenn. and they were also featured on the West Jefferson radio station, WKSK A.M.

The Arthur Smith Talent Search later recognized the Gospel Four Quartet as an outstanding gospel group. Miller also performed with the Lamplighter’s Quartet of Pennington Gap, Virginia. Miller has been writing gospel songs since he was 23.

This CD is available from Rob Miller, 336-977-3588.