David Miller

This Texas bassist is a master of several grooves that are essential to the Western swing style, importantly among them, that loping boogie woogie feel known as the Ray Price shuffle. The Western swing revival band Asleep at the Wheel is one of the main collaborations this Miller is known for; he has worked almost steadily as the group's bassist since the mid-'90s. He has also recorded with several straight country artists, the straightest among them being George Strait, naturally. Miller doubles on the Mexican guitarron, a hybrid acoustic guitar bass, a natural move for any Texas bassist who wants to get in on a few conjunto gigs. His knack for background or harmony vocals has been exploited by most of the bandleaders he has worked for. One exception is the veteran Texas Western swing maestro Don Walser, whose voice is as cracked as an Austin streambed in the summer and pretty much impossible for anyone to sing harmony with.