Comments on: Into the Ear of Madness: Week 4 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/ your daily dose of pop culture Fri, 25 May 2012 17:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Caperr2000http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-86985 Caperr2000 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:46:00 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-86985 In 1974 Skylark disbanded and David Foster immediately began his career as a top studio keyboard player in L.A. During those first years he played on albums by Lynyrd Skynard, Keith Moon of the Who and George Harrison. In 1975 he was given the chance to co-produce Bruce Miller’s “Rude Awakening.” Miller was a Canadian singer/songwriter whose folk/rock music was following the footsteps of acts like the Eagles, Poco and Jackson Browne. Foster co-produced “Rude Awakening” with another compatriot, Gaye De Lorme, a very talented guitar player. Though the album remains a best kept secret, Foster’s arrangements for the record clearly show his developing talents. Miller co-wrote the bulk of the album. He sang the songs with conviction while playing the acoustic guitar and fiddle. Among the songs there’s the nice opening number, “Summer Of Our Love,” that features some fine sax work by Tom Scott. The title track sports a good beat and an effective refrain with interesting guitar work by De Lorme and Foster on clavinet. There are other big names in the lineup including Poco member Rusty Young, famous Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira, bassist Lee Sklar and drummer Jim Keltner who played with Foster in the group Attitudes. “Rude Awakening” was engineered by Keith Olsen who would become another top-notch music maker. He enlisted Foster to play on several of his productions of that era. After “Rude Awakening.” Miller continued his career in the music biz, co-writing hit songs for big country names like Reba McEntire and the Dixie Chicks. In 1974 Skylark disbanded and David Foster immediately began his career as a top studio keyboard player in L.A. During those first years he played on albums by Lynyrd Skynard, Keith Moon of the Who and George Harrison. In 1975 he was given the chance to co-produce Bruce Miller’s “Rude Awakening.” Miller was a Canadian singer/songwriter whose folk/rock music was following the footsteps of acts like the Eagles, Poco and Jackson Browne. Foster co-produced “Rude Awakening” with another compatriot, Gaye De Lorme, a very talented guitar player. Though the album remains a best kept secret, Foster’s arrangements for the record clearly show his developing talents.
Miller co-wrote the bulk of the album. He sang the songs with conviction while playing the acoustic guitar and fiddle. Among the songs there’s the nice opening number, “Summer Of Our Love,” that features some fine sax work by Tom Scott. The title track sports a good beat and an effective refrain with interesting guitar work by De Lorme and Foster on clavinet. There are other big names in the lineup including Poco member Rusty Young, famous Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira, bassist Lee Sklar and drummer Jim Keltner who played with Foster in the group Attitudes. “Rude Awakening” was engineered by Keith Olsen who would become another top-notch music maker. He enlisted Foster to play on several of his productions of that era. After “Rude Awakening.” Miller continued his career in the music biz, co-writing hit songs for big country names like Reba McEntire and the Dixie Chicks.

]]> By: Bruce Mille* – Rude Awa*ening 1975 « Late For The Sky 3http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-82087 Bruce Mille* – Rude Awa*ening 1975 « Late For The Sky 3 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:07:58 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-82087 [...] Popdose / Reflections of [...] [...] Popdose / Reflections of [...]

]]> By: Richard Poorhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-81900 Richard Poor Tue, 31 May 2011 19:06:00 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-81900 There is also a Bruce Miller who wrote Family Affair Mary J Blige.  Is this the same person? There is also a Bruce Miller who wrote Family Affair Mary J Blige.  Is this the same person?

]]> By: Donna Konsoradohttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-68675 Donna Konsorado Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:26:00 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-68675 Thanks for posting this review. I just came across Bruce Miller again in a book I'm reading titled "The Cigar Box Banjo" by Paul Quarrington. It's an interesting read, lot's about the Toronto music scene back in the 70's. Here's a bit of what Quarrington wrote about nights spent in one of Toronto's music hangouts " The Brunswick" "Miller was a romantic figure, I thought, dark and handsome and somewhat of a loner. He always came late, sneaking in the door then standing in the shadows. He wore a leather jacket and his guitar case was battered and held together by "Fragile" stickers, as though it had spent most of it's life in the travel compartment of an old freight train. Miller rarely had to stand around long before taking the stage. It was as though everyone was eager to hear him play his song. The crowd would fall silent, the owners would set aside the money they were counting, the wait staff would stop ferrying foodstuffs and stand quiet "Oh Anna Marie, don't you love me anymore...?"My experience with Bruce Miller was years ago. He was one of the Nashville songwriters that came up to facilitate a songwriting camp on a little Island off Vancouver Island where I live. Miller was living in Vancouver I believe but was connected with this whole Nashville thing. I remember him as being the only teacher that was the least bit interesting in the people like me who had come to learn the art of songwriting, bringing their songs for these guys to have a listen etc. For the most part the teachers had offices in Nashville, spent their days writing songs that may or may not become hits. I can't remember how Bruce Miller fit into this, I only remember he was interested. The rest went golfing when it was time for the students to play our songs in a little open stage format. Of course I understand how painful it can be... When I read this bit in Quarrington's book I decided to search around on the web, find out what Miller's been up to etc ? Maybe he's more comfortable in the shadows ..... Thanks for posting this review. I just came across Bruce Miller again in a book I’m reading titled “The Cigar Box Banjo” by Paul Quarrington. It’s an interesting read, lot’s about the Toronto music scene back in the 70′s.
Here’s a bit of what Quarrington wrote about nights spent in one of Toronto’s music hangouts ” The Brunswick”
“Miller was a romantic figure, I thought, dark and handsome and somewhat of a loner. He always came late, sneaking in the door then standing in the shadows. He wore a leather jacket and his guitar case was battered and held together by “Fragile” stickers, as though it had spent most of it’s life in the travel compartment of an old freight train. Miller rarely had to stand around long before taking the stage. It was as though everyone was eager to hear him play his song. The crowd would fall silent, the owners would set aside the money they were counting, the wait staff would stop ferrying foodstuffs and stand quiet “Oh Anna Marie, don’t you love me anymore…?”

My experience with Bruce Miller was years ago. He was one of the Nashville songwriters that came up to facilitate a songwriting camp on a little Island off Vancouver Island where I live. Miller was living in Vancouver I believe but was connected with this whole Nashville thing. I remember him as being the only teacher that was the least bit interesting in the people like me who had come to learn the art of songwriting, bringing their songs for these guys to have a listen etc. For the most part the teachers had offices in Nashville, spent their days writing songs that may or may not become hits. I can’t remember how Bruce Miller fit into this, I only remember he was interested. The rest went golfing when it was time for the students to play our songs in a little open stage format. Of course I understand how painful it can be…
When I read this bit in Quarrington’s book I decided to search around on the web, find out what Miller’s been up to etc ?
Maybe he’s more comfortable in the shadows …..

]]> By: Christopher Millerhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-51823 Christopher Miller Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:27:28 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-51823 I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Miller when he came into the Broadway and Burrard branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Vancouver in 1976. He needed to cash a royalty cheque from A&M records, and because he didn't have a local bank account, I had to phone his branch in Halifax to see if I should release the funds to him. When we got talking, he mentioned that he was playing at the Old Roller Rink in North Vancouver that weekend. So I said I'd try to get to see him.<br><br>In preparation, I went out and bought a copy of "Rude Awakening" and took it along on the night. He autographed it during one of his breaks (although I lost it a few years later in a relationship breakup).<br><br>WThen A&M records deleted "Rude Awakening" from its listings, I went around as many used record shops as I could find to buy up any/all copies of the record. Even to this day, I have two copies of it (having given the remainder to my children), one of which is a DJ copy. That record will always remain one of my favourites. I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Miller when he came into the Broadway and Burrard branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Vancouver in 1976. He needed to cash a royalty cheque from A&M records, and because he didn't have a local bank account, I had to phone his branch in Halifax to see if I should release the funds to him. When we got talking, he mentioned that he was playing at the Old Roller Rink in North Vancouver that weekend. So I said I'd try to get to see him.

In preparation, I went out and bought a copy of “Rude Awakening” and took it along on the night. He autographed it during one of his breaks (although I lost it a few years later in a relationship breakup).

WThen A&M records deleted “Rude Awakening” from its listings, I went around as many used record shops as I could find to buy up any/all copies of the record. Even to this day, I have two copies of it (having given the remainder to my children), one of which is a DJ copy. That record will always remain one of my favourites.

]]> By: Christopher Millerhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-46420 Christopher Miller Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:27:28 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-46420 I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Miller when he came into the Broadway and Burrard branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Vancouver in 1976. He needed to cash a royalty cheque from A&M records, and because he didn't have a local bank account, I had to phone his branch in Halifax to see if I should release the funds to him. When we got talking, he mentioned that he was playing at the Old Roller Rink in North Vancouver that weekend. So I said I'd try to get to see him.<br><br>In preparation, I went out and bought a copy of "Rude Awakening" and took it along on the night. He autographed it during one of his breaks (although I lost it a few years later in a relationship breakup).<br><br>WThen A&M records deleted "Rude Awakening" from its listings, I went around as many used record shops as I could find to buy up any/all copies of the record. Even to this day, I have two copies of it (having given the remainder to my children), one of which is a DJ copy. That record will always remain one of my favourites. I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Miller when he came into the Broadway and Burrard branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Vancouver in 1976. He needed to cash a royalty cheque from A&M records, and because he didn't have a local bank account, I had to phone his branch in Halifax to see if I should release the funds to him. When we got talking, he mentioned that he was playing at the Old Roller Rink in North Vancouver that weekend. So I said I'd try to get to see him.

In preparation, I went out and bought a copy of “Rude Awakening” and took it along on the night. He autographed it during one of his breaks (although I lost it a few years later in a relationship breakup).

WThen A&M records deleted “Rude Awakening” from its listings, I went around as many used record shops as I could find to buy up any/all copies of the record. Even to this day, I have two copies of it (having given the remainder to my children), one of which is a DJ copy. That record will always remain one of my favourites.

]]> By: HurdyGurdyhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-42299 HurdyGurdy Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:27:12 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-42299 I know Bruce (D) Miller. Yes, same one that had a handful of cuts, the most successful the Dixie Chicks cut. He'd left music to be a geologist, then moved to Nashville in the 90's when Fame Publishing asked him if he wanted a songwriting deal. He always had a high opinion of himself, that's for sure. His ego is miles above his achievements. Pretty snotty to people unless they were a successful writer. Had a drug problem and left town. Don't know if his ex-wife and kids are still here or not. Nashville does not miss him. Karma's a bitch, eh Bruce? I know Bruce (D) Miller. Yes, same one that had a handful of cuts, the most successful the Dixie Chicks cut. He'd left music to be a geologist, then moved to Nashville in the 90's when Fame Publishing asked him if he wanted a songwriting deal. He always had a high opinion of himself, that's for sure. His ego is miles above his achievements. Pretty snotty to people unless they were a successful writer. Had a drug problem and left town. Don't know if his ex-wife and kids are still here or not. Nashville does not miss him. Karma's a bitch, eh Bruce?

]]> By: HurdyGurdyhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-38897 HurdyGurdy Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:27:12 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-38897 I know Bruce (D) Miller. Yes, same one that had a handful of cuts, the most successful the Dixie Chicks cut. He'd left music to be a geologist, then moved to Nashville in the 90's when Fame Publishing asked him if he wanted a songwriting deal. He always had a high opinion of himself, that's for sure. His ego is miles above his achievements. Pretty snotty to people unless they were a successful writer. Had a drug problem and left town. Don't know if his ex-wife and kids are still here or not. Nashville does not miss him. Karma's a bitch, eh Bruce? I know Bruce (D) Miller. Yes, same one that had a handful of cuts, the most successful the Dixie Chicks cut. He'd left music to be a geologist, then moved to Nashville in the 90's when Fame Publishing asked him if he wanted a songwriting deal. He always had a high opinion of himself, that's for sure. His ego is miles above his achievements. Pretty snotty to people unless they were a successful writer. Had a drug problem and left town. Don't know if his ex-wife and kids are still here or not. Nashville does not miss him. Karma's a bitch, eh Bruce?

]]> By: Jimhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-31610 Jim Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:48:32 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-31610 I saw Bruce once at a songwriters seminar on Gabriola Island. Quite a few years ago now. A short while later he co-wrote Reba McIntyre's "The Fear of Being Alone" hit. I see where he just was featured at a Bluebird Cafe North session in Vancouver. I saw Bruce once at a songwriters seminar on Gabriola Island. Quite a few years ago now. A short while later he co-wrote Reba McIntyre's “The Fear of Being Alone” hit. I see where he just was featured at a Bluebird Cafe North session in Vancouver.

]]> By: Mirhttp://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/comment-page-1/#comment-30040 Mir Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:23:16 +0000 http://popdose.com/into-the-ear-of-madness-week-4/#comment-30040 Bruce Miller is indeed Canadian.<br>Although I have no idea what became of him, I remember seeing him live once, around 1977, at the Legion on 49th and Fraser, in Vancouver. Also worth noting, this beautiful, haunting title track (Rude Awakening) was later covered by the Pure Prairie League on their album "Cant' Hold Back", but for my taste they rocked it up too much - I still love the original.<br>MM - Vancouver Bruce Miller is indeed Canadian.
Although I have no idea what became of him, I remember seeing him live once, around 1977, at the Legion on 49th and Fraser, in Vancouver. Also worth noting, this beautiful, haunting title track (Rude Awakening) was later covered by the Pure Prairie League on their album “Cant' Hold Back”, but for my taste they rocked it up too much – I still love the original.
MM – Vancouver

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