LISA DAWN MILLER THE DAUGHTER OF LEGENDARY SONGWRITER RON MILLER
MAKES HER NYC DEBUT AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM
ON DECEMBER 5TH
IN A TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO HER FATHER,
“I WANT TO COME BACK AS A SONG - RON MILLER, A KNIGHT OF LYRICS”
* * *
The Singer/Songwriter Carries On Her Father's Legacy With
An Emotional Mix Of His Best Known Classics (“For Once In My Life,”
“Heaven Help Us All”) And Equally Beautiful
But More Obscure Gems From His Vast Catalog

 

When legendary Motown songwriter Ron Miller passed away in July at the age of 74, he left behind a magnificent catalog of inspirational pop classics that truly defined an era--“For Once In My Life,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” “A Place In The Sun,” “I've Never Been To Me,”  “If I Could” and many, many more.

 

His daughter, Los Angeles based producer and singer/songwriter Lisa Dawn Miller, calls these “amazing songs that have been the fabric of so many people's lives.”

Paying homage as only a loving daughter could, the performer is set to make her New York City debut December 5th (at 10:00 p.m.) at The Metropolitan Room .

 

With touching performances paying tribute to her father, Lisa will include a mix of Ron Miller's best-known hits and more obscure—but equally beautiful and inspirational—gems from his several decade long catalog. The title of the intimate one-woman show, “I Want To Come Back As A Song,” is named for one of these songs; its fitting subtitle is ‘Ron Miller, A Knight Of Lyrics.” !”

 

Lisa has incorporated many of her dad's songs into her shows over the years, in addition to recording some of them on her critically acclaimed debut album Fly Away . But her show at The Metropolitan Room will also feature some tunes that she has never performed live, including the powerful, gospel flavored “Heaven Help Us All” – which won a Grammy Award in 2005 for the Ray Charles/Gladys Knight collaboration from Charles' Genius Loves Company release.

 

Working with a small ensemble, Lisa will perform a medley of Ron Miller's best-known pop hits. She will then embark on songs that show a deeper side of his lyrical artistry.

 

The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 W. 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. The cover charge is $25 with a two-drink minimum. For reservations, please call 212-206-0440.

 

 

 

 

 

LISA DAWN MILLER THE DAUGHTER OF LEGENDARY SONGWRITER RON MILLER
MAKES HER NYC DEBUT AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM
ON DECEMBER 3RD AND 5TH
IN A TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO HER FATHER,
“I WANT TO COME BACK AS A SONG - RON MILLER, A KNIGHT OF LYRICS”
* * *
The Singer/Songwriter Carries On Her Father's Legacy With
An Emotional Mix Of His Best Known Classics (“For Once In My Life,”
“Heaven Help Us All”) And Equally Beautiful
But More Obscure Gems From His Vast Catalog

 

When legendary Motown songwriter Ron Miller passed away in July at the age of 74, he left behind a magnificent catalog of inspirational pop classics that truly defined an era--“For Once In My Life,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” “A Place In The Sun,” “I've Never Been To Me,”  “If I Could” and many, many more.

 

His daughter, Los Angeles based producer and singer/songwriter Lisa Dawn Miller, calls these “amazing songs that have been the fabric of so many people's lives.”

 

Paying homage as only a loving daughter could, the performer is set to make her New York City debut December 3rd (at 7 p.m.) and 5th (at 10:00 p.m.) at The Metropolitan Room.

 

With touching performances paying tribute to her father, Lisa will include a mix of Ron Miller's best-known hits and more obscure—but equally beautiful and inspirational—gems from his several decade long catalog. The title of the intimate one-woman show, “I Want To Come Back As A Song,” is named for one of these songs; its fitting subtitle is ‘Ron Miller, A Knight Of Lyrics.”

 

“The incredible outpouring of love and support from around the world in the wake of Daddy's passing has comforted and inspired me,” says Lisa. “Knowing how much he is loved and respected means so much to me. My father will be reborn every time someone sings one of his songs. I want to preserve his legacy, as his daughter, an artist, a producer and as a believer of his dream – his dream of peace and hope for a brighter tomorrow. I am very excited to perform in New York.  I get to be in my favorite city singing my favorite songs!”

 

Lisa has incorporated many of her dad's songs into her shows over the years, in addition to recording some of them on her critically acclaimed debut album Fly Away. But her show at The Metropolitan Room will also feature some tunes that she has never performed live, including the powerful, gospel flavored “Heaven Help Us All” – which won a Grammy Award in 2005 for the Ray Charles/Gladys Knight collaboration from Charles' Genius Loves Company release.

 

Working with a small ensemble, Lisa will perform a medley of Ron Miller's best-known pop hits. She will then embark on songs that show a deeper side of his lyrical artistry.

 

The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 W. 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. The cover charge is $25 with a two-drink minimum. For reservations, please call 212-206-0440.

 

 

 

 

THE SANDY HACKETT & LISA DAWN MILLER SHOW:
Husband And Wife Toast Two Famous Dads And Their Inspiring Legacies Of Laughter And Song
* * *
The Son Of Legendary Comic Buddy Hackett And Daughter Of Famed Motown Songwriter Ron Miller Team Up For Critically Acclaimed Musical Comedy Show That Has Wowed Audiences
Everywhere >From Las Vegas To Dallas And Florida
* * *
Well Known Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer And Director Hackett Currently Stars As Joey Bishop In The Award Winning Nostalgic Revue “The Rat Pack Is Pack”; Miller Released Her Debut Album ‘Fly Away' Last Year

Toasting their famous fathers and the brilliant legacies they've left to the worlds of comedy and pop music, husband and wife entertainers Sandy Hackett (son of legendary comic Buddy) and Lisa Dawn Miller (daughter of famed Motown songwriter Ron) have titillated audiences everywhere from Las Vegas to Dallas to Florida with an unforgettable, critically acclaimed evening billed “The Sandy Hackett & Lisa Dawn Miller Show.”

Officially, the two promote it as “a night of unbelievable song and hysterical laughter,” but Hackett—true to the edgy standup style he is world renowned for—says, “We're like Sonny & Cher, only I ski better!”

Their performances at Vegas venues like the Suncoast Hotel in Summerlin have earned them raves from both of the city's major daily newspapers. The Las Vegas Sun says, “It's this year's show to see. Superb performances and delightful chemistry between the Hacketts make this one of the best feel-good shows around.” The Las Vegas Review Journals echoes this praise: “The evening sparkles with the spirit of some of the most brilliant comedy and memorable music ever to grace the stage. This heartfelt and magnificently delivered performance honors two of entertainment's legendary talents, Buddy Hackett and Ron Miller.”

For the last five-plus years, Hackett—who has done thousands of standup gigs around the world over the past three decades--has been writer, producer, director and “Joey” in the nostalgic revue “The Rat Pack Is Back,” which has been performed in Vegas, Chicago, Boston, Detroit and Ft. Worth. In addition to providing the comedy of the Sandy & Lisa Show, he also performs some beautiful duets with the talented singer/songwriter Miller, who released her first independent CD, Fly Away, to great acclaim in 2006.

The show combines the comic's hilarious bits with Miller's stunning performances of originals, standards and Motown classics penned by her father. She also sings some never recorded chestnuts from his vast catalog. Ron Miller's hits include “For Once In My Life,” “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yester-day, ”“Place In The Sun,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “If I Could” and “I've Never Been To Me.”

Hackett and Miller also do numerous comedy bits together, and there are special moments during the show when Hackett talks about his dad as he shows a short film of old home movies from the personal Hackett archives and then sings a touching version of the elder Hackett's theme song “My Buddy.” Miller later sings “If I Could”, the heart felt ballad written for her by her father, as a short film of her father's incredible career rolls.

The couple met in Las Vegas in 2003 and were married in April, 2005. Their daughter Ashleight is a year and a half old. Miller also has a six year old son, Oliver, from a previous marriage “to a guy who wasn't very funny and didn't ski,” says Hackett.

“Our show came about naturally from working together on various projects,” Miller says. “We have very similar backgrounds, there are many parallels that are so rare. Inevitably, the art of comedy and the universal language of great songs became intertwined. The amazing thing in working together is that Sandy loves singing and has an amazing voice and I love doing comedy, so we get to switch roles while still doing what we do. It's a lot of fun and we've both learned so much from each other.”

Hackett and Miller have an interesting story to tell about their personal lives, growing up with legends while carrying on traditions in their own unique ways.  Embracing the legacy, the show is filled with gratitude and is all about celebrating love, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

“Sandy and I are so in tune with each other,” Miller adds, “ it's not even something you can articulate. There's just this incredible understanding on so many different levels, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. We're intuitively connected and that comes across in our passion, love and devotion to each other and our crafts. It's an exciting and passionate show and we're happy to have the opportunity to share it with so many people. Sandy and I have amazing chemistry. In some ways, he's more reserved. I am definitely the fiery, spunky one!”

Hackett and Miller's next scheduled performances are at Sun City MacDonald Ranch in Las Vegas on Friday, August 3; and at Siena, also in Vegas, on Friday, November 2.    

 

 

PHOTO CAPTION: Legendary Motown Songwriter Ron Miller

LEGENDARY MOTOWN SONGWRITER RON MILLER DIES AT 74
* * *
Prolific Composer Of Such Era Defining Classics As “For Once In My Life,” “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday” and “Touch  Me In The Morning” Had His Songs Recorded By Thousands of Artists, Including Judy Garland, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett

Ron Miller, a onetime staff songwriter for Motown who composed such era-defining pop classics as “For Once In My Life,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” “I've Never Been To Me” and “If I Could,” died on July 23 in Los Angeles after a long illness. He was 74.

Miller, who had been battling both emphysema and cancer, died of cardiac arrest shortly after 5 a.m. with his daughters, Angel Stratford and singer/songwriter Lisa Dawn Miller, at his side.

On July 21, Miller was presented with the Heroes and Legends Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting and producing, in his room at Santa Monica Hospital with immediate family members and close friends in attendance. The award was given to him by another famed Motown figure, Janie Bradford, who founded the annual awards ceremony as a scholarship fundraiser to assist youths involved in the arts and with furthering their education.

Since signing onto Motown founder Berry Gordy's staff as one of the company's first (and only white) songwriters and record producers in the 60s, Miller's songs have been recorded by thousands of artists worldwide and have sold in the hundreds of millions. His classic standard, “For Once In My Life,” written with Orlando Murden, is one of the most recorded songs in history with early renditions by Judy Garland, Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra joined in recent years by those of younger performers Michael Buble and Harry Connick, Jr.; according to All Music Guide, there are over 270 recorded versions.

Earlier this year, Bennett, Buble, Josh Groban, and Carrie Underwood teamed up for the first time ever to perform the song live on the Oprah Winfrey Show for millions of viewers. Bennett and Wonder also won 2007 Grammy Awards for their duet version of “For Once In My Life, “ which appeared on Bennett's 2006 recording Duets: An American Classic. In 2005, Miller's inspirational song “Heaven Help Us All,” originally recorded by Wonder, won a posthumous Grammy for Ray Charles, whose duet with Gladys Knight appeared on the multiple Grammy winning Genius Loves Company.

After scoring several multi-platinum hits for Wonder in the 60s with “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” “A Place In The Sun” and the holiday perennial “Someday At Christmas,” Miller teamed with composer/producer Michael Masser in 1973 to write “Touch Me In The Morning,” which marked a career turning point for both Masser and singer Diana Ross, who took it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The song became the former Supreme's longest charting record, staying on the Hot 100 for 20 weeks.

Throughout the 1970's, Ron wrote the book and lyrics to many musicals including “Daddy Goodness” at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia, PA and “Cherry”, based on William Inge's “Bus Stop,” which included the beautiful “I've Never Been A Woman Before.” Barbra Streisand recorded the song for her classic “The Way We Were” album.

In 1976, Ron wrote and produced “I've Never Been To Me” for new artist Charlene; the soul searching song barely charted that year, but six years later, a Florida DJ began playing it; in 1982, Motown re-released the song and it became one of the biggest singles of the year, hitting #1 in 18 countries. Miller followed up this hit with the controversial “Used to Be”, a duet he produced for Charlene and Stevie Wonder. As it was working its way up the charts, the record was banned from the airwaves before it could ever reach #1.

In the early 1980's, Miller wrote and produced “Can't We Try” for Teddy Pendergrass and composed what became the songwriter's own all-time favorite song, the heartfelt “If I Could,” which he wrote for his six children: Lisa, Angel, Mark, Debbie, Julie and Gary. Over the past 25 years, the song has been recorded by Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Michael Bolton, Nancy Wilson, Regina Belle and over 100 others.

Born Ronald Norman Gould in Chicago in 1932, Miller was the oldest and only son of Sue and Harry Gould. Harry died when he and his sisters Jackie and Audrey were very young and their mother, Sue, remarried Joe Miller. A die-hard Chicago Cub fan, Ron Miller wrote his first sad song for his beloved but hapless team. He served in the Marines for several years and was stationed all over the world. After marrying and divorcing young, he found himself back in Chicago in the early 1960's where he remarried, this time to his childhood sweetheart, Aurora.

Struggling to make ends meet by selling washing machines and taking odd jobs, Ron continued writing songs as he had done throughout his life. While performing at a piano bar, Miller noticed someone tipping $5 for every song. The patron was Berry Gordy, who told Miller about Motown Records and of all the new artists he was signing who could sing his songs. Berry invited Miller to join Motown as one of its first (and only white) songwriters and record producers. The next morning, Miller packed up the family and everything he owned and headed for Detroit and his many dates with musical history.

Miller's daughter, singer/songwriter Lisa Dawn Miller, is currently developing a musical about her dad and the impact his work has had on the world, tentatively titled For Once In My Life: A New Musical About Old Songs. “His songs have become the fabric of so many people's lives,” she said. “You can hear his words at your daughter's wedding, a friend's graduation, a parent's funeral...They were words that you heard when you danced, laughed and cried. Words you looked for when you didn't know exactly what to say or the right way to say it. We all grow older, but my father's songs never will. They will be reborn with every generation. I guess it's best said by my father himself:

Time has to take me
But life will wake me
Whenever people feel the road's too long
They'll need some music
And I want to come back as a song

PHOTO CAPTION (L to R): Ron Miller with Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy

PHOTO CAPTION: Ron Miller

 

 

 

LISA DAWN MILLER

THE DAUGHTER OF LEGENDARY MOTOWN SONGWRITER RON MILLER FORGES AN EXCITING, MULTI-FACETED PATH OF HER OWN AS VOCALIST, SONGWRITER, PRODUCER AND ENTERTAINER
* * *
Blessed With “The Voice Of An Angel,” The Singer Produced Her Critically Acclaimed Debut ‘Fly Away' And Has Won Raves For Her Performances In “The Sandy Hackett & Lisa Dawn Miller Show,”
Which She Developed With Her Comedian/Producer Husband Sandy Hackett
* * *
Miller Is Currently Working On A Musical About Her Father's Life And The Impact His Songs Have Had On The World, Tentatively Titled ‘For Once In My Life: A New Musical About Old Songs'

 

No matter how hard she tried and how far she ran, Lisa Dawn Miller thankfully couldn't escape her own musical destiny. The daughter of legendary songwriter Ron Miller—playfully dubbed “the only white guy at Motown”—Miller grew up watching her dad produce artists we all know by first names (Barbra, Stevie, Diana) as they sang the songs that defined an era: “For Once In My Life,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “Someday At Christmas,” “I've Never Been To Me,” and “If I Could”.

When she came of age, however, she shunned the limelight of the entertainment industry in favor of a securing a strong background and foundation in the business world. Immersing herself in the financial realm during the bull market of the early 90s, she spent years as a very successful stockbroker, financial planner, stock portfolio/wealth management advisor and retirement planning specialist focusing on 401k retirement plans.

At least she'll know how to invest her money now that she's finally decided to share her immense musical talents with the world and turn her attention to singing, songwriting, producing and entertaining. She self-produced her critically acclaimed, recently released debut album Fly Away, which features her stunningly beautiful interpretations of originals (the title track), standards (“Smile,” “Over The Rainbow”) and brilliant well known and not so well known songs by her father (“You Were There,” “Life Saved You For A Rainy Day”). The collection also includes duets with Vegas legend Clint Holmes, pop classical tenor Michael Amante and her husband, comedian, actor, writer director, producer (and singer!) Sandy Hackett. Hackett is the son of legendary comic Buddy Hackett.

Jeff Rossen, Chicago Editor/Recordings Reviewer, Cabaret Scenes Magazine raves, “Take a collection of songs of exceptional quality and breadth, set them in striking arrangements and then turn the lyrics and melodies over to a singer whose voice can cut straight through the heart, and you've got one heck of a dazzling debut.” Jerry Fink of The Las Vegas Sun adds that she's a “stunningly beautiful, naturally talented vocalist.” Miller and Hackett have earned similar critical accolades from Vegas to Dallas and Florida with their unforgettable “The Sandy Hackett & Lisa Dawn Miller Show,” officially billed as “a night of unbelievable song and hysterical laughter.” The show combines the comic's hilarious bits with Miller's stunning performances of originals, standards and classics penned by her father.

Miller is currently developing a musical about her dad and the impact his work has had on the world, tentatively titled For Once In My Life: A New Musical About Old Songs. Over the years, Ron's songs have been recorded by thousands of artists including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Celine Dion and Michael Bolton. “Heaven Help Us All,” the last song ever recorded by Ray Charles, won a Grammy Award in 2005; Bennett and Stevie Wonder won Grammys this year for their collaboration on “For Once In My Life.”

For all that, Miller didn't realize the power or impact of what her dad had accomplished. “I've been contacted by people all over the world who have expressed how my father's songs have meant so much to them,” she says. “His songs have been the fabric of their life, of all our lives. It's an amazing feeling. My father is an inspiration, not only to me but to so many people. He writes lyrics that mean something, lyrics that touch and move people in deep ways.” Miller adds, “I also learned so much from my Dad about singing. People often ask me where I got my vocal training. I tell them from watching my father produce Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and many others. Those recording sessions were where I learned how to express and interpret a lyric. I also find writing songs very rewarding. When you pen the words and/or compose the music, you have a deep understanding of how to interpret it. I'm also starting to produce other artists, which I love, and I've produced some video shorts as well. It's all very exciting.”

The turning point in Miller's life came when an L.A. real estate agent heard a demo she was playing for a friend and hooked her up with longtime CBS record executive Ed Matthews. Matthews heard Miller sing a few songs and immediately wanted to book her  for a one night engagement at the Starbright Theatre in Summerlin, near Vegas. Matthews knew the theater booker, Sandy Hackett—who booked her sight unseen on Matthews recommendation.  Miller tells the romantic story of how she actually met Sandy when she was seated in the front row during his performance as Joey Bishop in his long running show “The Rat Pack Is Back.” It was love at first sight. They made eye contact during Hackett's monologue. Sandy jumped off the stage and into Miller's lap during the show! They've been together ever since!

Hackett and Miller married in April 2005 and have a 17-month-old daughter, Ashleigh; Miller also has a son, six-year-old Oliver, from her previous marriage. “Sandy and I are so in tune with each other, it's something you can't articulate,” she says. “The passion and devotion we have for each other naturally extends to all of the creative endeavors we're involved with. It's a blessing and gift to share so much personally and professionally as well. Sandy is my biggest fan and supporter.”

When asked about the challenges involved with being the offspring of a legend, Miller says, “I make no apologies for being Ron Miller's daughter. In fact, I embrace and cherish his genius. Being exposed to that kind of brilliance, growing up, set the bar pretty high. It's what inspires me. It's all I know. It's part of who I am and if I'm lucky enough, it will shine through my own work in abundance. I'm confident enough in my own talent to let it!”