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Blue Stew band member passes away
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More from Breaking NewsGuitarist/vocalist/songwriter Michael Paul Miller of the Ventura blues band Blue Stew is dead at the age of 56. Miller died in his sleep in his Oxnard home Tuesday, April 8. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's office said the cause of Miller's death cannot be determined until lab tests are complete, which could take four to six months.
"It's a huge loss. I mean, everytime I start to think about it, it hurts my soul. I just well up," said Blue Stew drummer Randy Kizer, 57, adding: "It's been quite a year."
Blue Stew had just hit a high note Feb. 1 and 2 when Miller, Kizer, and band members Kirk Maxson and Steve White traveled to Memphis, Tenn. to compete in the 24th annual International Blues Challenge. Blue Stew landed a spot in the international competition after winning the IBC regional competition in Santa Barbara on Oct. 27, 2007. "I was real pleased for Mike in particular," Kizer said. "Because we were playing all of his songs." Some of Miller's original songs played in the Memphis competition were:
"Three Days to Louisiana," "Human Race" and "Long Gone." Blue Stew didn't win, but "we came really close," Kizer said.
During an interview with the Star a week before the competition, Miller was asked if he thought Blue Stew would win.
"I have to stick with the pessimist that I am," Miller joked. "They're not going to give it (the prize) to a bunch of old farts like us. They're out to find the next big thing to pass the torch along." Kizer believes Miller left too soon, with too much music still inside him.
"I don't think he was ready to go," Kizer said.
Miller leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Julie, and a son, Justin, 23.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Posted by lrgvanman on April 12, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mmshoot, todays obits includes Mike's...it says in one point, "Hear Mike's music at http://www.bluestew.com ".
Posted by AnaCapa on April 12, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mmshoot, try googling Blue Stew. www.google.com
Posted by jmiller on April 12, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Read the updated article here:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...
Posted by lrgvanman on April 12, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not a problem mmshoot. Happy to have helped and you take care.
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