"Twang is the fun side of country," said Jon Miller as he let out a chuckle. "People are so turned off by country music these days because they think its all about drinkin, cryin, and dogs dyin. Twang gives people a whole different perspective. Its country with a twist!" he says as a huge smile polishes his tanned face. Jon Miller is an independent singer and songwriter from Mobile, Alabama and has been described as a mix between Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. He has been writing songs since he was twelve, and now at the age of 25 has become not only locally, but nationally recognized for his unique style and imaginative methods for his song writings. "He is like nothing I have ever heard in country music before." said Tiffany Ramirez, Jon's girlfriend who never misses his Thursday night performances at the local Mexican restaurant, El Charro. "I started writing songs in the seventh grade when I had a crush on this girl named Shira," said Jon. "She was so cute and I was trying to come up with a way to tell her how I felt about her, and then it came out in a song." By his ninth grade year of high-school, Jon had stumbled into his mothers closet to find her old guitar and began playing it. "I was so awful that she decided it was probably time to get me lessons. I don't think she ever imagined the effect that it would have on me." he laughed. He began by playing at local venues such as the Gulf Coast Opry, the Mobile Country Music Association (MCMA), and the Dixie Jam. By his senior year of high school in 1998, he had become a local celebrity. Obtaining much recognition for his talent, he won many awards from 1996 to 1998 such as the winner of the Jimmy Dean True Value Country Showdown, and the Horizon Award from the MCMA. But his favorite and most memorable awards that he ever received were the ones for "Crowd Pleaser" in his high school talent show three years in a row. "Its when I first learned the power of the audience," Jon explained while staring at the ceiling as if trying to remember. "I had 1,000 people cheering and screaming for me and it was an overwhelming feeling. I thought the gym was going to collapse." They awarded Jon with a trophy as tall as his upper torso for his third win in a row. "It was bigger than the first place award and it was totally unexpected, but I loved it." Next, Jon began performing with his band "Drivin Country" and gained a wider audience around the county. His band performed at events such as The Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, the Mobile County Fair, and Mobiles famous musical event, Bayfest, where top artists and local artists come to downtown Mobile to perform for a weekend of great food and even better music. At Bayfest, Jon has opened for acts such as Josh Turner, Trace Adkins, and one of his favorites, The Charlie Daniels Band. "I remember going to my first Bayfest when I was younger and thinking, How cool would it be to perform here? Then five years later, there I was on stage opening for some of my country music heroes and I was scared to death. I was so afraid that they would realize I am nothing special; I am just me!" Jon said loudly and jumped out of his seat, "And then they would realize that I wasn't cool at all and make me get off stage!" Jon had also created his own local television show called "Country Twang" which is a unique blend of Jon's wit and music mixed with guest stars and music videos. It began airing on weekdays and weekends and was an automatic must-see for his fans. "This is when fans first started getting my creations stuck in their heads," said Jon. "It was cool because a friend of mine called me one day and said theyd had this song stuck in their head all morning, and when they thought about it, they realized it was mine! That was such a cool feeling." In 2004, Jon released his live recording of a night of his worship songs and testimony called "Songs and Stories." "Its rare that you get to experience art in a pure and uncompromised form, but that's what this ["Songs and Stories"] is," written on the back of the CD. "Its not merely an overproduced, uninspired corporate made record. You are encouraged not just to hear it, but experience it!" Jon recalls "Songs and Stories" as the album that reveals the "real him." But "Songs and Stories" was only a taste of what would come next. By 2005, Jon had released his biggest and most imaginative project yet, and that was his album "MORE". This was the CD where Jon came up with the idea of "Depression-Free Twang" which soared above his expectations and made a name for Jon Miller not only locally, but nationally. "There are so many people who are turned off by country because they say its so depressing. This is different! All of my music is positive," said Jon, his famous grin plastering his face. He recorded "MORE" in Nashville at Marrs Recording Studio along with Larry Marrs, who has played in bands with names like Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, and Big Kenny of Big & Rich. "In "MORE", I simply wrote and composed what felt most natural to me. I am a naturally positive person but I am also very blessed and have nothing to complain about, and thats just what naturally came out in my songs," Jon explained, thrusting his hands in the air, conveying his passion. "It is also very imaginative. Mainstream country keeps doing the same thing over and over. I wanted to take it from a different angle and give it a twist. I wanted to give the audience something they hadnt heard before." "MORE" was his biggest success yet. His CDs were sold out at local restaurants and Wherehouse Music. People were also downloading his songs off of internet downloading sites such as iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody. "Its sing-able and melodic; something to help you start your day. Its about making the choice [This is the name of his first song on the album] to have a good day. You are in control!" Jon said. Three of the songs from "MORE" won awards in the Hank Williams Songwriting Contest for first, second, and third place. His song "Legends of Yesterday" won first in the Hank category. With catchy melodies and well penned lyrics, his latest release of the CD/DVD set, "MORE," showcases these skills along with great arrangements and solid production." said Karen E. Reynolds, Host/Program Director, Writer's Block Radio Show. After his huge success, things could only get better. He played his songs all around for events such as the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and people everywhere were beginning to hear the name "Jon Miller." "I knew how good he was all along, but I never knew that other people would start to see it like I did," said Jon's recent drummer, Tyler Levins. On October 20, 2005, Jon made his fist national television debut on the syndicated morning show "The Daily Buzz." "Thursday mornings appearance could provide priceless national exposure for Miller, given that "The Daily Buzz" appears on some 140 stations around the country." said the Mobile Register in their October 19 issue. He performed his hit song from "More" called "Its Not Me, Its You" and paused for a quick interview. "It was the most significant performance thus far," Jon exclaimed. "Everyone was asking me how it felt to be on national TV and all I could think was Wow, I'm so close!" Jon Miller has gone from strumming his fingers on his mothers guitar when he was fifteen, to performing nationally in front of a huge television audience at the age of 25. When asked where he will be at age 30, he replied, "Well, I guess Ill either go big or go broke!" He says that his main goal right now is to focus on becoming a better singer, songwriter, and entertainer. Because of financial restraints, "there is only so much I can do" so his plan is to better himself until that "big break" comes along. "If I do ever make it in the world of big labels and big busses, I have one requirement for myself and that is that I don't change who I am," Jon said. "I always want to be in control of my songs, talents, and myself. But for now I'm doing what I love and loving what I do, and if it happens, it happens." During the time of this interview Jon was gearing up for his performance at Mobiles infamous Hank Aaron Stadium for the April 28th Baybears game (The Baybears are Mobiles baseball team). Jon will be singing original songs and the national anthem. But what is his next big project? "The secret is, I'm obsessed, I mean obsessed, with planning my next move!" Jon said. "I wasn't going to tell anyone about it, but I guess Ill tell you. I am going back to Nashville to record a new CD, with brand-new songs. It wont be as poppy as "MORE"; some of of it will be a slight stretch for me. There is as lot more but thats all I'm gonna say right now," he said with a wink. "In the end, even if I don't make it BIG, all I really want is for my songs to mean something to people and for them to be remembered," Jon said. "Its the ultimate payoff. I am going to continue being myself and hope that people will appreciate it. That's whats most important." To order by phone, call 1-800-BUY-MY-CD Also available for download through iTunes!