Jesse Milnes and Emily Miller

Shows at the Purple Fiddle

Visit Jesse Milnes and Emily Miller on the web!

“When Emily rears back and sings there is a new light in the universe” — Fiddler Magazine

“An immensely listenable set full of skill, craftsmanship and genuine love” — Huffington Post

“An honest and powerfully nuanced expression of Appalachian roots music, captured with minimal production and reminiscent of the best early field recordings” — Prescription Bluegrass

Jesse Milnes and Emily Miller perform country and old-time music, singing close harmony with Jesse’s unique finger-picked guitar style and a healthy dose of old-time fiddling. Emily was raised playing and singing old-time and country music (the Louvin Brothers and the Stanley Brothers were household favorites) with her parents while they traveled the world as journalists. Jesse grew up in the world of West Virginia old-time music, learning from masters like Melvin Wine and Ernie Carpenter as well as his father, Gerry Milnes. They now make their home in central West Virginia.

In addition to their duo performing, Emily tours extensively with The Sweetback Sisters (a 6-piece country band fronted by Emily and her pseudo-sister Zara Bode), they both play for square dances around West Virginia, and also frequently teach harmony singing with Emily’s mother Val Mindel.