No timing, context,phrasing, or style. As a harmonica player, I am aghast that that kid makes the same mistakes I have heard from new players who don't pay attention to the band, the song, or know when NOT to play. John popper style is not just blowing fast and stepping all over a song. John Popper is One Trick Pony, ladies and gentlemen. John Poppers style fatigues most peoples ears, but there IS context, and he does stay in the beat structure of a song. John Popper is a precise, classically trained instrumentalist. He is not the best either.

The judges are more impressed with that sub-par harmonica playing than with the quick change magic, Alexis Jordan, who has more control with 'At Last'- a song not entirely suited to her, but still SHE was amazing.The yodler was impressive FOR a yodeler, but how far can that go in this day and age?

Trust me there ARE better harmonica players. Among the living : Kim Wilson, Paul deLay, Rod Piazza, James Cotton, Jerry Portnoy, Annie Raines, Magic Dick (J.Geils Band, Bluestime)Steve Guyger, Sugar Blue,Rick Estrin(Little Charlie & The Nightcats),Mark Hummel,Carlos Del Junco,Mark Wenner (The Nighthawks),Darrell Mansfield, David Barrett,Lee Oscar,Westside Andy, and in my neighborhood :Hugh Feely,David Galloway, Roger Edsel, J.L. Frinks...

and of all time : Paul Butterfield, Little Walter, Big Walter Horton,James Cotton, Jerry McCain, Jr. Wells, Sonny Boy Williamson (#2)....

Sonny Boy Williamson (#2)....
[/quote]


Hmmm....well Stevie Wonder, Joe Bonamassa and and a few other folks who know a little about music completely disagree. With 90 seconds, you can hardly show off everything you can do and every style, but this kid has been called one of the greatest by some pretty big folks it seems that have heard him for a lot more than 90 seconds. I've been reading up and listening on line and he has a lot more talent that you are hearing...and he's only 12.

YAY LD....CONGRATS! I thought you and your brother were amazing and this just proves it. The more people rock it, the more the bitter, jealous haters have to come up with ways to try to tear down a 12 year old and his family. YOU ROCKED!!!!! I'm a classically trained musician and I heard glimpses of genius and can't wait to hear more.

HATER? Naw- just a harmonica player. No, not because he 'rocked'- he showed no restraint. You are classically trained but you couldn't hear how he just played completely unrestrained and stepped all over the songs rythm? It was like he was playing to something else entirely.

As a harmonica player, I really wished he would have been worthy- I'm not a hater. I qualified my statement. It sounds like YOU are a hater.

Classically trained Check out CORKY SIEGELS CHAMBER BLUES. (Classical Baroque style with Blues harp)
Originalality ? Check out Howard levy (on Bela Fleck and the Flecktones)
Awsome? Check out Terry McMillan with Larry Carlton- 'Renegade Gentleman'.
Don't confuse discernment with hatred.
Take tin ear somewhere else Pal.
Start your own thread.
Really now.

Yes, exACTly! Vote for Alexis Jordan(14 years old and 10 times more deserving ), or the magician couple...

The Millers were fantastic and the 12-year-old on the harmonica is amazing.

DaveTheHarpist knows nothing about talent. The 12-year-old on the harmonica was phenomenal. He completely owned that stage and he's fantastic. He's going to be hugggggeeeee hit.

Don't tell me who to vote for.I have my own mind.I loved the little guy,he can care less what you think.He just went out there on stage and had fun.On key or not he was fun to watch.You can go ahead and vote for whoever you want to with your expertise,but won't tell me what to do.

My Post was for Davetheharpist.I accidantly send my Post to quick.

What's the matter Dave, jealous that a 12 year old kid will be a household name and you won't?

If you want to hear LD show some "restraint", pick up a copy of the new Joe Bonamassa CD, "You & Me" and hit "play" on the song "Your Funeral, My Trial" to hear LD just smoke on the harp! Better yet, check him out performing LIVE with Joe Bonamassa in Las Vegas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gDCRY_UvZk&search=joe%20bonamassa

Also, do a search on You Tube for "LD Miller" or the "Clayton Miller Band" and you will see just how talented this kid truly is.

He's DESTINED to be a star, Dave.

[font=Comic Sans Ms][b][size=4][color=#6600CC] I think that the Millers were absoluely amazing!! i have fallen in love with them ever since i first saw them perform!! the little boy is absolutely amazing!! his talent, attitude and devotion to family are refreshing to see!! and for those of you that think he isn't all that he's made out to be...were you ever as talented as he is at age 12?? obviously not if you've never been nationally recognized like he is!! if he makes a mistake here or there...who cares!! who by the age of 12 has mastered such a craft and have so much fun doing so?? your going places kid!! you are awesome!! the millers deserve every bit of the money!! the millers not only prove that they have talent...but they also give a "meant to be on stage" performance!!

I know one thing about playing music - if feet arn't moving you need to get out of the business! It's not about money or fame, it's about pooring your entire heart into what you do, it's about finding your passion and even when your not doing it the way someone thinks you should it does not matter because your passion will set the next trend to follow. I'm sorry but the kid was moving my feet, my heart, and I found myself caught up in the energy he was pumping out! Who made up the rule for talent? I will tell you this, as soon as you start living within the rules your no longer original, your are only a copy of the last sucker following the croud.

Great job Kid! You really, really rocked this home. Do not follow the trend, be the trend!!!

May you and yours be blessed bigtime!!!

Yvonnie