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STEVE MILLER BAND 1st ACT ANNOUNCED FOR MUSIKFEST'S SANDS STEEL STAGE

DATE: February 3, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org

STEVE MILLER BAND 1st ACT ANNOUNCED FOR MUSIKFEST'S SANDS STEEL STAGE

BETHLEHEM, PA—Blues-rock guitarist Steve Miller and his band will rock the new Sands Steel Stage at Musikfest® 2011 on Monday, Aug. 8, at 8:30 p.m., ArtsQuest™ announced today. The legendary artist's performance at the festival is part of his tour supporting his new album, "Let Your Hair Down," due out April 19.

One of the most popular artists in rock music history, Miller rose to stardom in the 1970s with a series of major hits including "Fly Like an Eagle," "Take the Money and Run," "Jet Airliner," "Jungle Love," "Swingtown" and the No. 1 smash "The Joker." During his 40-plus year career, he has sold more than 30 million albums and performed to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout the world. His "Greatest Hits 1974-78" is one of the most popular albums of all time, having sold more than 13 million copies since its release in 1978. Born October 5, 1943 in Milwaukee, Miller grew up in a musical family. His mother, Bertha, was a talented vocalist while father, Dr. George Miller, was an amateur tape recordist. Steve picked up his first guitar - a gift from his uncle - when he was only 4-years old, and he later learned some chords from legendary guitarist Les Paul, a friend of his father's. By the time Miller was 12, he had formed his first band, The Marksmen, and was on his way to a lifelong career in music.

Miller's first big break came in 1973 with the release of the album "The Joker," which reached No. 2 on the charts. The album, which contained the No. 1 single of the same name, marked the first of three consecutive Top 20 albums for Miller, the other two being 1976's "Fly Like and Eagle" and 1977's "Book of Dreams." In 1982, Miller once again ascended to the top of the Billboard charts with the hit album and song, "Abracadabra." Today, Miller continues to tour and create music enjoyed by fans around the globe. "Let Your Hair Down" caps one of the busiest years of the guitarist's accomplished career. In addition to the release last year of the chart-topping, critically-acclaimed "Bingo!," Miller led a sold-out tour across the United States and Canada. He also returned to Europe for the first time in more than 25 years for a triumphant round of dates culminating in a sold-out Royal Albert Hall concert in London.

"Let Your Hair Down," from Space Cowboy/Road Runner/Loud & Proud Records, is largely the story of two cities, Chicago and Memphis. The album, which features the last recordings of harmonica virtuoso Norton Buffalo - Miller's "partner in harmony" for 33 years - is a tribute to the music that Miller has played his entire life. As a 15-year old, Miller backed up Jimmy Reed at Dallas nightclubs. In addition, T-Bone Walker, hired frequently to play parties in the Miller family home, taught a then 9-year-old Steve the rudiments of lead guitar. For "Let Your Hair Down," Miller plumbed the songbooks of Walker, Reed, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Jimmy McCracklin, Roscoe Gordon and others, material he has been playing since he started the Marksmen while in high school.

The Steve Miller Band concert is sponsored by 99.9 The Hawk. Tickets for the show are $39 and $49. They will go on sale at www.musikfest.org and 610-332-3378 starting Tues., March 1, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Fri., March 4, 10 a.m., to the public. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets before the public to this show and all other Musikfest ticketed concerts is invited to become an ArtsQuest Member. Memberships are available at www.artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-3378.

ABOUT ARTSQUEST

ArtsQuest™ is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest®, and the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center, ArtsQuest's programming currently reaches more than 1.3 million people annually. ArtsQuest is furthering its mission of celebrating arts and culture through the development of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks™. The 65,000-square-foot building, set to open in May 2011, will feature live music, independent and scientific films, new festivals and community celebrations year-round, reaching an additional 750,000 people each year. For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.