Lance Miller - “The Beach”
I’ve been getting a lot of heat lately for my comments on the new Kenny Chesney single, but when a major label artist charges that “Waylon never sang about the beach”, can there be any doubt about who’s in the crosshairs?
Lance Miller, a finalist on the second season of Nashville Star, has proven with his first two singles that he deserves to be included with Miranda Lambert in the exclusive group of Nashville Star alumni who are making interesting music. Unfortunately, if the failure of “She Really Loves Me” is any indication, he’ll also join the much larger group of unsuccessful Nashville Star alumni. Releasing a single that’s a thinly-veiled slam of the genre’s biggest star shouldn’t help matters much, unless Miller hopes to attract publicity by igniting a feud.
However, it would be a mistake to view this release as solely or even primarily a complaint about Kenny Chesney. The fact is that many recent radio hits have featured themes that the core country demographic must have difficulty identifying with, and it’s about time that somebody reclaimed some turf. Unlike most other new artists, who invariably try to prove their redneck pedigree with a “country-fied” anthem that ironically features wailing guitars and shrieking vocals, Miller’s meta-analysis of the genre actually sounds country and utilizes imagery born from experience rather than cliches. How does that George Jones lyric go? “I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes…”
Listen: Lance Miller - “The Beach”
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September 11, 2007 at 4:24 pm Permalink
I’ve never seen an episode of Nashville Star, so my first exposure to Lance Miller was one of his posts over on the CMT Blog. I’m not claiming to be a great writer by any means, but I was surprised PR let this slip through the cracks.
I was surprised yet again after hearing him sing as it doesn’t look like he’d sing the way he does, but I like it. I figured he was just another pretty boy trying to cash in on his looks. I’m glad I was mistaken. Anyone wanna bet on when he’ll cut his hair?
September 12, 2007 at 8:37 am Permalink
This is a great song! Too bad it’ll never get played. (roll eyes)
I HAVE watched Nashville Star, and I like the format much better than Idol. NS gets down to business and is over in about 10 weeks. AI seems to drag on all year. I’m glad this artist, Lance Miller, is making decent country music. He certainly has a traditional country sound that should appeal to those who still wish for what they consider “real” country music.
Oh, and he’ll probably cut his hair next time Keith Urban does. ;-)
October 10, 2007 at 10:26 pm Permalink
I have a CD TOO MUCH TO DREAM by Lance Miller on Outback Records, issued back in 1997. He showed a lot of promise back then, but seemingly disappeared. Back then he was clean-shaven and wore short hair (and looked a lot better than he does now)
October 16, 2007 at 6:10 pm Permalink
I love his song the beach, I like alot of kenny chesneys songs don’t get me wrong but i think he is trying hard to be the latest jimmy buffet. I’m glad some one is writing about past country legends and is saying enough with the beach sing about country things. I hope to hear alot more from lance!!!!!!
July 10, 2008 at 7:26 pm Permalink
I grew up on classic country legends and let me tell you that my blue collar is getting really tired of the pop machine. I love this song and how country this guy sounds. We need more songs, and artists, like this one.
August 10, 2008 at 3:13 pm Permalink
Yeah I am NOT a big Kenny fan and I really like this song. When I heard this I knew why I diddn’t like Kenny and that is because he isn’t country and this song proves it.
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