Album Notes

Valorie Miller is a powerful songwriter who creates musical paintings of a dark beauty and intense depth. A self-taught musician and naturally gifted lyricist, Valorie has developed a unique finger-picking style on the guitar and delivers strong and melodic upright bass. In a 2003 article featuring her in No Depression, Jerry Withrow describes Valorie's voice as "pure Caorlina, from whisper to wail". Valorie began her professional career in 1996 with an Emerging Artist Grant from the N.C. Arts alliance that allowed her to produce her first recording.

After a few years developing a fan base as a solo act and two more independent recordings, Valorie then spent two years as an accompanist (on bass and vocals) and opening act for the nationally touring singer-songwriter Malcolm Holcombe. During this time the two shared the stage with such acts as Mrele Haggard, Wilco, Leon Russel and grammy award winner Shelby Lynne. After finishing her latest recording, with the help of Holcombe and a stellar cast of Nashville musicians, she resumed her career as a solo artist and currently tours in the southeast.

RECORDINGS

Valorie currently has three independently released recordings. Her first CD, Analog (1999), contains striking solo pieces as well as group numbers featuring regional artists The Blue Rags and Larry Keel.

Her Second CD, Ghost Tracks, (2000), continues her unmistakable tradition of reveling in both lyrical smoothness and a degenerate underbelly. Miller plays almost all of the instruments on the project, showing her versatility as a musician.

Her most recent CD, Sweeter Than Salt, features Miller's most heartfelt songwriting to date and performances by seasoned Nashville musicians. Tony Arata, a songwriter who has written multiple country music hits, gave the CD a rave review: "...there is stuff on the CD that runs the gamut all the way from frightening me (literally) to inspiring me (greatly)...'Loosen Me' is as well-sung, as well-written and as well-played as anybody could hope to do...what a song...and somebody ought to be tied up and made to do 'Sweeter Than Salt'."