On The Sly

Since their first televsion show in 1976, I have been a fan of "Austin City Limits." They often have prominent musical artists, but they also have presented lesser-known future stars. That's how I came across Amos Lee last year. He was on "Austin City Limits."

Well, believe it or not, one of our local musicians is on the rise, and he has a connection with "Austin City Limits." Kelly Miller was an outstanding athlete at Plattsburgh High School not so long ago, but apparantly he had his goals set on the stage rather than the playing field. I remember he had a starring role in one of the PHS Drama Club's presentations.

But I never expected his singing talent to take him this far. Miller, the son of Calvin and Kathy Miller of Plattsburgh, is one of a talented band called Middle Ground. The group recently performed at Plattsburgh's abbreviated Mayor's Cup Celebration. Middle Ground is now among twenty semi-finalists nationwide in Austin City Limits' Battle of the Bands.

Fan voting will determine the winner and you can play a role in Middle Ground's quest to win the contest. At the Austin City Limits' website you can get all the information you need. Better yet, you can go directly to the Middle Ground page and listen to their music and cast your vote for the Texas band with the Plattsburgh connection.

I think you'll find their music pretty unique. The music reminds me of some of Bob Dylan's electric stuff, and the lyrics remind me of a 2007 version of Harry Chapin. You can judge for yourself.