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-T.S. Brackett
Bob Miller's latest CD, Corporate
Refugee, features the just released single "707", a song about
Miller's father and his life as a jet set corporate businessman during
the late 60s and early 70s. "He was sort of like Mad Men's Don Draper," laughs
Miller. "Without all the womanizing."
“My father was a master of the sky
Alexander in a suit and tie.
They knew him at the airport, he never had to wait long.
Running with a suiter by his side
Buckling up for a bumpy ride,
Dinner in Amsterdam, waking up in Hong Kong.
Bob Miller’s father was a businessman and, as Bob
puts it, “made stuff”. “My dad got a degree in Industrial
Engineering from Pennsylvania State University on the GI Bill. His first
job was as a supervisor in a GM plant in western Connecticut.” says
Bob. “After ten years, he got the bug and we started moving so
he could accept other jobs.
My dad at that time worked at TRW and we
finally ended up in England so my dad could run Cam Gears, a division
of TRW. Cam Gears was a small company that was in such bad shape, his
acceptance of a position there was viewed as career suicide.” |
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Company Man
England suited Mr. Miller and he and his family were introduced
into “polite society”. “He grew his hair scandalously long.” laughs
Bob. “But he made a big success of Cam Gears and won a Queen’s
Award for Industry.” Bob had a chance to meet the Queen but blew it because “…I
would have had to cut my hair…
“My dad was a company man,
Patton with a pension and a five year plan.
He lived by the rules but he knew how to play rough.
Went where the money was the best,
Showed ‘em how we did it in the west.
Back in the days when we knew how to make stuff.’
Mr. Miller was put in charge of all of TRW’s auto part manufacturing
in Europe and Asia. “After that, we hardly saw him.” says Bob. “His
success in business was, in part, due to his ability to charm. He loved the
jet setting life and he was truly lucky. I was able to travel with him on business
a few times and was amazed at how fast his life moved. That’s how the
tune 707 came to be written.”
“Pack up, check out
Taxi to the airport,
Check in curbside,
Head to the lounge.
It’s just a time zone,
Might as well have a Martini at Eleven,
Flying high in a 707
Flying high in a 707
Flying high in a 707”
“After Dad retired, he bought the boat he always wanted,
went on cruises and avoided air travel.” remembers Bob. “My Dad
passed away in December of 2013. He was a larger than life character and I
miss him.” “My dad was a master of the sky.
And that kind of man doesn’t die
He’s at the airport now, on his way home..”
About Corporate Refugee
Corporate Refugee was recorded at Warmfuzz Studios in London in 2012 by veteran
producer Ian Shaw (Nick Heyward -Haircut One Hundred, Riot Grrls, Kelly's Heels)
under the band name Nimrod Wildfire. The record also features Bob's long time
friend Matt Backer.
What they’re saying about Bob Miller
and Nimrod Wildfire
- "From musician to software company CEO and back to music, Bob Miller
tells his tale here. Chiming guitars, solos full of Fender goodness, and a
dipping of the toe into various rock styles sum things up. "707" is
the highlight with clever wordplay and imaginative chord changes." -
JH - Vintage Guitar Magazine January 2013
- "With a bit of a British folk/rock feel, Nimrod Wildfire is a guitar-centric,
thought-provoking, socially relevant project wrapped in deceptive simplicity.
You'll dig it."- Rochester City News
- "...an engaging storyteller....he captures a vintage toned Warren Zevon
vibe.." - Music Connection April 2013
www.nimrodwildfire.com
www.facebook.com/nimrodwildfire
www.reverbnation.com/nimrodwildfire
Music publicist, writer and artist, Tammy
Brackett lives and works in Richmond VA. Tammy owns Moonstruck Promotions
and specializes in music business consulting, writing and publicity for artists,
festivals and record labels. Tammy is the author of Fifty Ways to Tour Without
Getting in the Van, a guide to touring your music but not yourself. She’s
the co-author of Another Nightmare Gig from Hell: Musicians Tales of Woe
and Wonder, with writer Nick Zelinger. The book won a Colorado Independent
Publishers Award for best work of non fiction in 2012.
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