On The Row: Alex Miller’s New EP ‘Country’ Shows Continued Growth After ‘American Idol’

Since entering the country music scene with his appearance on season 19 of American Idol, Alex Miller has been building on his success, playing shows and working on his songwriting chops.

A product of Lancaster, Kentucky, Miller spent his upbringing working on his grandfather’s 800 acres, listening and singing classic country songs. He started writing songs from a young age—it was his original song “I’m Over You So Get Over Me” that earned him a trip to Hollywood on American Idol at the age of 17.

“They seemed to like me fairly well and they sent me on to a few rounds,” Miller shares about his audition process at American Idol. “I got to sing with Luke Bryan and do some fun things like that. It was a great experience.

“Being on national television—I never thought I’d ever do anything like that. I’m just a bumpkin from Lancaster,” he says. “I learned so much about how to grow your character and develop yourself as a person.”

Since that priceless experience, Miller has learned a lot about himself as an artist, knowing that sticking to his roots and doing his style of country music is what he wants to do. Thousands of fans have fallen in love with him for those exact reasons. Miller has played around the country at venues such as the Ryman Auditorium and Lucas Oil Stadium, and has opened for artists like Brooks & Dunn, Hank Williams Jr., Jamey Johnson, Josh Turner and more.

The now 20-year-old singer-songwriter is continuing to stick to his traditional sound, but is looking to grow constantly, working with Nashville songwriters such as Jerry Salley, Wood Newton and Kent Blazy. Miller recently released his new EP, simply titled Country, through Billy Jam Records. The project features outside cuts such as “Girl, I Know A Guy” and “When God Made The South,” as well as songs Miller co-wrote like “Every Time I Reach For You,” “Puttin’ Up Hay” and “Gettin’ Lucky In Kentucky.”

“[I’m lucky to get to write with] a lot of the older guys I get to write with,” Miller says. “They’ve had some life experiences and learned what’s going on and how to do it.”

When Miller isn’t writing or in the studio, he is touring the county fair and festival circuit all over the south and midwest, performing a wide range of originals, old-time country songs and even some classic rock. He describes his shows being like George Strait meets KISS.

In the beginning of his young career, Miller has experienced a lot and continues to find his way through the constantly moving music industry. He’s finding his way while keeping true to his roots that his grandfather helped plant while growing as artist and songwriter. He hopes his EP highlights that journey.

“Everybody wants to know what’s going on with my music and what’s coming up next,” Miller says. “The EP is a combination of songs from everything that I like. ‘Gettin’ Lucky In Kentucky’ is more of a western swing, George Strait-sounding thing. ‘Girl, I Know A Guy’ is really progressive for me. I wanted to see what I could do as an artist—what worked and what didn’t work—that’s what this record is for me.”

Miller’s Country EP is available now.