Don

My good friend Don Miller has recently passed away. While Don was not a Mudcat member he contributed to this forum (through myself) as I would tap his knowledge of old country songs and singers to answer questions posted here. Don was a walking encyclopedia on the subject of older country music. He had a very extensive collection of records (78's, 45's, 33's,) and songbooks. This collection filled nearly the whole basement of his house, and he had everything filed and indexed so that he could find it all quickly. He also had an amazing memory and most often he could provide answers instantly. He would not only know the words and tune to a song but who wrote it, when and why?
People who have attended the Hank Snow festival over the years will rember Don from his work in the AnswerMan booth as well as his stage performance at each event. Don was a fine singer who entertained many people for many years. His own idol in music was Wilf (Montana Slim) Carter and he sang and played a D18 with a haunting resemblance to Wilf!
I do not read or write music but I have written a few songs. A few years ago, unknown to me, Don transcribed my songs to sheet music and presented me with a songbook that he had made up from them. In an attempt to say thanks I wrote a song about Don that I would like to post here as a tribute to him:

    DON & WILF

Wilf Carter's passed away and gone to Heaven
But there are some who keep his memory alive
And of those there is a man I'd like to mention
And I'm proud to say he is a friend of mine

(Chorus)
Have you ever heard Don Miller sing Wilf Carter
He will yodel for Swiss Moonlight Lullaby
He will take you on the trail of the mad trapper
And tell about the Moose River gold mine
                      (Chorus)

Now Don, he loves the history of the music
And he knows the story behind every song
With a memory that truly is amazing
He has entertained so many for so long
                        (Chorus)

May a bluebird always sit outside his window
And a rainbow always brighten up his sky
For when he sings and picks upon that Martin flattop
You would swear to God, Wilf Carter never died
                        (Chorus)

    .......and Don Miller, he is a friend of mine!


                                                                              DON