10 Questions With Robert Miller

ALL ACCESS RADIO

May 4, 2021

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I finally followed my youthful music dream and became a Rock Star in my 60s, when most of my fellow Baby Boomers are planning their retirement. In just 5 years I’ve released 10 albums including a Billboard #1, had over 4 million video views, over 1 million Spotify streams, over 50,000 Facebook fans, performed at festivals and concerts around the world, and opened for Edgar Winter, Blues Traveler, Boney James and Mindi Abair, and an after-show for Yes. I recently started the "Follow Your Dream" Podcast to inspire and motivate people to pursue and succeed at their dream. And I’ve written and about to release the "Follow Your Dream Handbook."

1. You've had great success in music and business. What spurred you to add podcasting to the list?

Three reasons. First, I wanted to develop a deeper level of engagement with people, and the long form nature of a podcast enables this. Second, I realized that I had a unique and inspiring story in that I followed my dream and became a success in music - a young person’s game - at a later stage of life, which could inspire others. Third, I wanted to use the podcast to introduce my music to a whole different group of people than my traditional music fans.

2. You've had some interesting guests on the podcast so far. What have been the most interesting revelations you've heard from your guests on the podcast?

I’ve been very fortunate to attract a group of VIP guests to the podcast from various walks of life. What they have in common is that they had a dream and were successful in accomplishing that dream. I ask all of my guests to give advice to the dreamers out there who have a dream but have not yet pursued or succeeded at that dream for whatever reason. Their advice is very consistent - never give up and persistence, persistence, persistence!

3. The reaction some people will have to the idea that you can pursue a passion later in life and become successful at it will likely be, well, I don't have time, I'm too old, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. What do you say to that in response, as someone who has proven that it can be done?

I’m living proof that you’re never too old, and it’s never too late, to follow your dream. Everyone has a dream, but most people never follow through on theirs. Life tends to get in the way. That certainly happened to me too. But you never want to look back at any point in your life and regret that you did not even give your dream a shot.

4. Speaking of your music career revival, once you got Project Grand Slam going again, when was it that you felt that the whole thing was working? Was there a moment when it all clicked and you realized that the plan was working -- maybe a moment on stage, or in the studio, or booking a better gig?

My personal “Aha” moment came in 2018 when PGS was in Serbia performing at the Nisville Jazz Festival before 20,000 people. They didn’t know us or our music. But by the end of our set we got a standing ovation, and when we left the stage there was a long line of people waiting to take a picture and for my autograph. It doesn’t get much cooler than that!

5. How do you prepare for each interview? Is there a lot of research involved or do you prefer to go in more casually and conversationally?

I spend time learning about my podcast guests and formulating areas of discussion. But like any good jazz musician, the interview itself is improvisational. The key is to listen to the guest and respond appropriately to what they are saying.

6. The band is classified as jazz, you've topped the jazz charts, but you started off with rock and there's a lot of rock in your music. What is "jazz" to you -- is it 50's traditional, Coltrane and Miles, fusion, or something else, or all of it? Is the label limiting or can you ignore it, and... well, how would you define your music yourself?

I started off my musical life playing rock. I came of age during the 1960's and the British Invasion era and adored all those bands. I went on to discover jazz and play jazz fusion in the 1970's. So for me the sweet spot is the intersection of rock and jazz and also with a bit of Latin thrown in mainly because of the influence of my band members, many of whom hale from Latin countries. In the last few albums my writing has definitely veered towards vocal songs and more rock oriented. I pride myself on the variety of the genres and feelings that I evoke in my music.

7. Who have been your inspirations and influences, musically, in podcasting, and/or in life?

Musically, my main influences were some of the great artists of the 1960s/70s, including The Beatles, Cream, Weather Report, and Return To Forever. In music, podcasting and life in general, I try to strike out on my own path and be as distinctive as I can be.

8. Of what are you most proud?

My family. I’ve been married to the same woman for 46 years, we have two daughters and sons in law, and four (soon to be five) grandchildren. They keep me very grounded.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________.

.…chocolate! I’m a chocoholic. My other dailies are exercise and meditation.

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

Best is never give up. I don’t listen to or remember bad advice.