Michael K. Miller
- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Composer, arranger and musical director, Michael K. Miller (often known as "Mickle") is most recognized for his work as the musical director and theme song composer for "Solid Gold", a music television series produced by Paramount that aired from 1980 to 1988, featuring hosts such as Dionne Warwick, Andy Gibb, Marilyn McCoo, Rex Smith and Rick Dees. Miller also composed Just a Dream Away, which was performed by John Denver to open the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Additionally, he produced a duet version of "I Say a Little Prayer" for Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, which was featured on Rhino Records' 2021 4-CD box set, ARETHA.
EARLY ON...
Michael first showed promise in the music arena during high school by writing an arrangement called "Superstar Medley" in 1973 for guest artist and famed Los Angeles lead trumpeter, Bud Brisbois. Bud loved the arrangement and, as a result, introduced Michael to legendary film composer Henry Mancini who offered to become his mentor.
The following September, Michael was selected to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival in the California All Star High School Jazz Band (now known as the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra) where he was a featured trumpet soloist and composer. Renowned jazz trumpeter and lifelong hero of Michael's - Clark Terry - was a guest artist at the concert and the two of them remained lifelong friends. Also, at the performance, Michael conducted and dedicated his composition "Something We Knew About Monterey '73" to the founder of the Monterey Jazz Festival, Jimmy Lyons.
Michael then started college at UCLA and, within a year, began ghost-orchestrating for Peter Matz, the musical director of the Carol Burnett Show. While still a student, he also orchestrated for 4 other CBS music/variety series: The Sonny & Cher Show, The Donny & Marie Show, The Mac Davis Show and The Tony Orlando Show and composed occasional pieces for The Tonight Show.
In his senior year at UCLA, Michael, along with lyricist Monica Riordan, won a national songwriting competition organized by Warner Brothers to promote their film "Ode to Billy Joe," starring Robby Benson. The judging panel included Bobbie Gentry, Michel Legrand, Max Baer, and Larry Marks. As part of the prize, Michael & Monica's winning song, "Beyond Today", received a national release and was highlighted as a Top Pick in Billboard magazine on May 7, 1977.
CAREER
Three years after completing his degree at UCLA, Michael was chosen by Dionne Warwick to create the theme song for "Solid Gold" and to serve as the show's musical director throughout its entire run from 1980 to 1988, arranging, composing and producing the music for nearly 400 episodes. His "Solid Gold Theme" song was featured at both the opening and closing of every episode. Additionally, he composed the theme song for the 1982-83 Paramount television series "Madame's Place", starring Corey Feldman and, of course, Wayland Flowers & Madame!
One of the most special musical experiences Michael had was composing and arranging the opening theme song "Just a Dream Away" for the 1984 Winter Olympics, which John Denver performed while standing in the snow of Sarajevo.
Shortly afterward, the acclaimed opera tenor, Placido Domingo, asked Michael to arrange and conduct "Just a Dream Away" for his album, "Save Your Nights For Me", and then Michael produced a version of it for Dionne Warwick as well.
Miller also co-wrote "I Will Always Love You" with Mac Davis for his "Hard To Be Humble" album, which was certified Gold by the RIAA on March 4, 1981.
Throughout his career, Michael has arranged, composed and/or produced music for Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Andy Gibb, Chuck Mangione, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Mac Davis, Dick van Dyke, Linda Ronstadt, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Joe Cocker, Marilyn McCoo, Don McLean, Shaun Cassidy, Crystal Gayle, Rex Smith, James Ingram, Laura Branigan, Florence Henderson and more.
LATER LIFE & MENTORSHIP
In 1990, Michael decided to follow another one of his dreams, so he went to live on various islands in the South Pacific: Fiji, Maui, and New Zealand. He continues to make frequent trips to Los Angeles to work on various recording projects, and has also been a guest speaker at Hollywood super-agent, Ken Kragen's UCLA masterclass, "Strategies for Stardom".
One of Michael's greatest joys has been his pro bono mentoring of talented young people, musically and/or academically, sometimes spending 3-4 hours every day for 7 or more years at a time to help an individual gain entry into national honor bands and/or earn full scholarships to Ivy or other elite colleges. One of the most successful recipients of Michael's guidance is trumpeter Josh Shpak, who, through Michael's mentorship and introduction, became the protégé of Clark Terry and is now a highly sought-after performer, songwriter and producer in Los Angeles, as well as the current trumpet player in Peter Gabriel's band.
Regarding Michael's personal life: although he was given two separate terminal cancer diagnoses during his life due to the effects (and aftereffects) of a pesticide spray drift, he surprised his doctors by completely recovering both times -- once in 1983, which took 7 years to fully heal, and a recurrence in 2019 (which unfortunately also included severe reactions to a prescribed medication, AMBIEN, which brought about a whole new set of challenges). But, he is so very grateful for the care, compassion and empathy shown to him by so many wonderful people, and for the miracles that made it possible for him to continue making music, mentoring and cheering on young people of all ages toward positive paths and productive futures.
EARLY ON...
Michael first showed promise in the music arena during high school by writing an arrangement called "Superstar Medley" in 1973 for guest artist and famed Los Angeles lead trumpeter, Bud Brisbois. Bud loved the arrangement and, as a result, introduced Michael to legendary film composer Henry Mancini who offered to become his mentor.
The following September, Michael was selected to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival in the California All Star High School Jazz Band (now known as the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra) where he was a featured trumpet soloist and composer. Renowned jazz trumpeter and lifelong hero of Michael's - Clark Terry - was a guest artist at the concert and the two of them remained lifelong friends. Also, at the performance, Michael conducted and dedicated his composition "Something We Knew About Monterey '73" to the founder of the Monterey Jazz Festival, Jimmy Lyons.
Michael then started college at UCLA and, within a year, began ghost-orchestrating for Peter Matz, the musical director of the Carol Burnett Show. While still a student, he also orchestrated for 4 other CBS music/variety series: The Sonny & Cher Show, The Donny & Marie Show, The Mac Davis Show and The Tony Orlando Show and composed occasional pieces for The Tonight Show.
In his senior year at UCLA, Michael, along with lyricist Monica Riordan, won a national songwriting competition organized by Warner Brothers to promote their film "Ode to Billy Joe," starring Robby Benson. The judging panel included Bobbie Gentry, Michel Legrand, Max Baer, and Larry Marks. As part of the prize, Michael & Monica's winning song, "Beyond Today", received a national release and was highlighted as a Top Pick in Billboard magazine on May 7, 1977.
CAREER
Three years after completing his degree at UCLA, Michael was chosen by Dionne Warwick to create the theme song for "Solid Gold" and to serve as the show's musical director throughout its entire run from 1980 to 1988, arranging, composing and producing the music for nearly 400 episodes. His "Solid Gold Theme" song was featured at both the opening and closing of every episode. Additionally, he composed the theme song for the 1982-83 Paramount television series "Madame's Place", starring Corey Feldman and, of course, Wayland Flowers & Madame!
One of the most special musical experiences Michael had was composing and arranging the opening theme song "Just a Dream Away" for the 1984 Winter Olympics, which John Denver performed while standing in the snow of Sarajevo.
Shortly afterward, the acclaimed opera tenor, Placido Domingo, asked Michael to arrange and conduct "Just a Dream Away" for his album, "Save Your Nights For Me", and then Michael produced a version of it for Dionne Warwick as well.
Miller also co-wrote "I Will Always Love You" with Mac Davis for his "Hard To Be Humble" album, which was certified Gold by the RIAA on March 4, 1981.
Throughout his career, Michael has arranged, composed and/or produced music for Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Andy Gibb, Chuck Mangione, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Mac Davis, Dick van Dyke, Linda Ronstadt, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Joe Cocker, Marilyn McCoo, Don McLean, Shaun Cassidy, Crystal Gayle, Rex Smith, James Ingram, Laura Branigan, Florence Henderson and more.
LATER LIFE & MENTORSHIP
In 1990, Michael decided to follow another one of his dreams, so he went to live on various islands in the South Pacific: Fiji, Maui, and New Zealand. He continues to make frequent trips to Los Angeles to work on various recording projects, and has also been a guest speaker at Hollywood super-agent, Ken Kragen's UCLA masterclass, "Strategies for Stardom".
One of Michael's greatest joys has been his pro bono mentoring of talented young people, musically and/or academically, sometimes spending 3-4 hours every day for 7 or more years at a time to help an individual gain entry into national honor bands and/or earn full scholarships to Ivy or other elite colleges. One of the most successful recipients of Michael's guidance is trumpeter Josh Shpak, who, through Michael's mentorship and introduction, became the protégé of Clark Terry and is now a highly sought-after performer, songwriter and producer in Los Angeles, as well as the current trumpet player in Peter Gabriel's band.
Regarding Michael's personal life: although he was given two separate terminal cancer diagnoses during his life due to the effects (and aftereffects) of a pesticide spray drift, he surprised his doctors by completely recovering both times -- once in 1983, which took 7 years to fully heal, and a recurrence in 2019 (which unfortunately also included severe reactions to a prescribed medication, AMBIEN, which brought about a whole new set of challenges). But, he is so very grateful for the care, compassion and empathy shown to him by so many wonderful people, and for the miracles that made it possible for him to continue making music, mentoring and cheering on young people of all ages toward positive paths and productive futures.
