Stewart Ransom Miller II was born September 6, 1970 in Austin, Texas. He is the lead singer of the alt-country band Old 97's as well as being a successful solo musician. He graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas (a private school for boys) in 1989 and briefly attended Sarah Lawrence College on a creative writing scholarship before dropping out to pursue a music career. His first musical endeavor was in 1990 with Murry Hammond and drummer Benjamin Warrenfells who formed the Sleepy Heroes, an alterna-pop band. The Sleepy Heroes released one album, Under a Radio Sun, before their breakup.
Rhett Miller has recorded three solo albums. The 1989 album Mythologies was produced and recorded by future Old 97's member Murry Hammond. The 2002 album The Instigator, produced and recorded with Jon Brion, achieved critical acclaim and substantial airplay on alternative-oriented radio stations. In 2006, Miller released The Believer, his first effort for the Verve Forecast label. It includes a cover of Brion's "I Believe She's Lying," and "Fireflies," a duet with Rachael Yamagata.
Miller toured with Neil Finn in 2004, bringing him to the attention of many. He recorded a version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound" for one of MasterCard's "Priceless" advertisements. Songs from Miller's second solo album, The Instigator, were featured on an episode of Joan of Arcadia during its short run on CBS. Songs by both Miller and Old 97's have been used in the soundtrack of the American comedy series Scrubs. Miller also covered the Beatles song "Girl" for 2005's This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul.
Miller is married to model Erica Iahn. They were married a week after Miller completed production of The Instigator, and Iahn found out she was pregnant with Max while Miller was just wrapping up his tour with Tori Amos to promote the album. They now have two children, Max and Soleil.
Old 97's
