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Beloved Christian music artist Jill Miller is set to release her second full-length CD of Christmas music on what has already been called, “an epic compilation of the most beautiful Christmas music in decades.” The CD, titled “KING OF KINGS,” was recorded this fall in Nashville, TN, at legendary Starstruck Studios, owned by Country music Icon Reba McEntire, and home of CD’s recorded by Carrie Underwood, Reba, Luke Bryan, and hundreds of others.
The project, produced by Miller and NASHVILLE veteran Jimmy Nichols, includes several originals, penned by her, Nichols, and veteran songwriter Robert White-Johnson, and covers of some classic Christmas tunes, all selected for their special connection to the artist and her past.
Miller, a native Siouxlander, has always had strong roots in Christian music and has made a name for herself performing music for thousands of fans throughout the country, along with penning her first book last year. She has been deeply involved in touring the Midwest, speaking and performing at motivational events and touching countless lives with her music. Nichols describes her as, “An angelic, captivating voice reminiscent of Karen Carpenter, but with the power and conviction of singers like Amy Grant and Kathy Troccoli. She can finesse the most delicate lines with her head voice and belt out lines with passion and conviction that only a veteran singer can achieve.”
Miller also showcases her growing songwriting prowess, penning several songs, including the title track “King of Kings,” as well as the gospel tinged “Meet Me At the Manger.” Childhood memories of holiday warmth and love inspired “Christmas Is Calling Me Home,” while their melancholy strains of “It’s Christmas Time” reflect the artist’s thoughts of a holiday away from the one you love. She even considers our military heroes and the emotions that a Christmas away can bring upon their families with “Christmas Moon.” The CD concludes with what has been described as a musical event that Is nothing short of brilliant. Inspired by Beethoven’s classic “Fur Elise,” Jill found a way to write a companion piece weaving his classic musical passages with an inspiring lyric and melody that builds to a brilliantly orchestrated guitar solo and leaves listeners breathless, and yet eager to start from the beginning and listen again and again.
Some of the cover songs include a jazzy, subtle rendition of Mel Torme’s classic “Christmas Song,” sometimes referred to as the “Chestnuts Song,” a mesmerizing, middle eastern inspired “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and the peaceful beauty of “What Child Is This.”
Miller’s background with Nichols dates back to his days living in Sioux City with his brothers, known by many locals as The Nichols Brothers. She first recorded with him at the studio he and his brothers co-owned along with several Sioux City friends and business partners. Her band at the time, called Celebrate, recorded at the studio and cemented the musical bond that has held for nearly two decades, even as their musical paths divided.
Nichols has gone on to record on over 400 projects in Nashville with everyone from, and including, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Scotty McCreery, Brooks And Dunn, Reba, Faith Hill, both whom he also became Musical Director for their tours, and many, many others. “It was a thrill and a treat to work with Jill again, and I’m in awe of her incredible vocal ability and her inspiring writing. I loved co-writing with her and Robert, and I think this album will deeply touch the lives of anyone who gets a chance to experience it!”
There will be a CD release concert in conjunction with the CD’s release at the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre on November 28th at 7:00 p.m. It is a benefit concert for Sunrise Retirement Community.
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