On Saturday, September 13th, 2014, Music Speaks was the beneficiary of the Blackwater Ukulele Festival 2014 to be held at Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner. The event started at 9:00am and ran all day through 5:00pm. Nathan Miller was a featured performer along with Sarah Summer, the Charleston Hot Shots, the V-Tones and the Hula Sisters. There was be an open mic also, so some great music, and a day full of smiles!
The Charleston Post & Courier did a photo spread on the event, and it was by all measures a big success. Music Speaks would like to thank Jim Ravoira from the Charleston Hotshots, and the kind folks at Cypress Gardens for featuring our music and our cause.
News anchor woman, Octavia Mitchell, from Charleston News 2 came out to our home to film a segment on Channel 2 news! The feature aired on August 1st, and was very well received. It was also picked up and aired by WSPA channel 7 in Spartanburg, SC.
Check out the link and video here!
On Saturday, August 2nd from Noon until 6:00pm, Music Speaks held a very successful official CD Release drop in! Local artists were on hand to provide music until 3:00, and then we had a special concert featuring contributing artists until 6:00. We cannot thank everyone enough for coming out and sharing your afternoon with us. The place was busy all afternoon with new and happy faces, many of which picked up a CD or 2, and many members of Troop 750 showed up to support the canned food drive for Nathan's Eagle Scout Project. One of the scouts in attendance, Justin McMillan, won the drawing for an autographed CD signed by Doyle Dykes, John Knowles, Phil Keaggy, Haley Johnson and most of the the other artists! We're excited to announce that the sales netted for the day surpassed $700, and went a long way toward paying for the actual production of the CD. We will soon be in the clear to make a profit for Autism Speaks, and we are looking forward to making another trip to Charlotte soon to meet up with them and present a check! Thank you Single Smile Cafe for hosting, and thank you all for your part in a very successful launch!
Check out a few pics here!
We're so excited to announce the completion of our new compilation CD entitled, Where Words Fail, Music Speaks! The album recently debuted at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on July 11 with special performances by Nathan Miller and Kirby Easler. We've been so blessed with the contributions of many wonderful artists, and we know you're going to love this collection of music.
Click here for more information about this project.
Nathan has begun his Eagle Scout Project called the Good Turn Food Pantry. He will be using music as a way to fundraise and collect food for the project. The pantry will be benefitting the Stallsville United Methodist Church and the Summerville community at large.
Click here for more information about this project.
On May 5th, 2014, Noon-12:30, Keith and Nathan were featured performers at the North Charleston City Hall as part of the North Charleston Arts Festival. We had a great time, made some new friends, and he event was a big success.
Click here for more information about this event.
On April 4th, 2014, Keith and Nathan were joined by compilation CD artist, Greg Neff, at the annual Flowertown Festival in Summerville, SC.
The first weekend in April, Summerville and the Charleston attract visitors from all over the country and many parts of the world for the annual Flowertown Festival and Cooper River Bridge Run. Friday is the kickoff for the festival, and Keith, Nathan and Greg helped to set the tone for a great weekend.
Click here for more information about this annual event.
On March 1st, 2014, Nathan & Keith joined Dustin Ashenfelder and Kirby Easler on stage at Georgetown's beautiful Winyah Auditorium. It was a wonderful opportunity to share an evening of music while promoting Music Speak's compilation CD still in development.
Dustin Ashenfelder is a singer-songwriter, and accomplished guitarists. He is known for his soulful and passionate story telling, and his deft chops on the the acoustic guitar.
Kirby Easler is an up and coming fingerstyle guitarist who has gained early respect and friendship from some of the world's most accomplished fingerstyle guitarists. Her style is a cross between Tommy Emmanuel, Hendrix and Billy Joel.
Keith and Nathan are honored to have share company with these very talented musicians, and we're sure it was a night of music not soon forgotten.
Click here for more details and photos from the event.
On February 27th, 2014, Nathan put on, with a little help from his friends, the 1st ever Nathan Miller & Friends concert! Nathan was joined by his Dad, and several amazing local musician friends for a great show. The "tip jar" proceeds were very generous indeed, and will go toward the Music Speaks Compilation CD to help cover some of the expenses for mastering and production of this wonderful effort still in the works. The Single Smile is a pretty special place, and this was certainly a pretty special night. A sincere thanks to all who came out to support, and a special thanks to our friends, Kirby, Greg, Don and Kevin, who joined us on stage! Check out the Single Smile's webpage here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Single-Smile-Cafe/214675938564819
On December 20th, 2013, Nathan and Keith had the pleasure of being the opening act for the Knoxville-based alternative singer-songwriter, Erick Baker (photo right). Erick's trademark is the heartbeat that drives his passion filled performances. He was joined by the multi-talented Will Carter on dobro, uke, trumpet, guitar, mandolin and keyboard (photo left). Erick had high praise for his opening act, and Will who has played with the likes of Jackson Browne took to Nathan immediately after hearing him play "Music Box" on his ukelele. It was yet another fun and successful night for promoting autism awareness, the joy of music and the making of new friends. Special thanks to Jim Wethington for sponsoring the concert, and arranging the opportunity.
On December 15th, 2013, Nathan and Keith Miller were blessed to present a Christmas Program at the Palmetto House Womens' Shelter in Summerville, SC. They talked about Music Speaks, autism, and most importantly, the Reason for the Season, the Lord Jesus! Nathan performed Bach's "Jesu," and "Air" on guitar, and delighted the audience with a lovely rendition of Jake Shimabukuro's "Music Box" on the ukelele. Every season is a season for encouraging others and sharing hope, but there's just something a little extra special about Christmas.
-Promoting Autism Awareness With Every Note-
On September 20, 2014, Nathan, with family and friends, walked to the Farmer's market in Weil der Stadt, Germany. After leaving the market, they walked to a nearby chapel called the Spitalkapelle circa 1364. The following video captures a few serene moments as Nathan performs the beginning of the classic, "Ave Maria,"and a Jake Shimabukuro tune called, "Missing Three."