Dan Miller and his Cowboy Music Revue have been a staple of the entertainment culture in and around Cody, Wyoming, since first opening their doors in 2005.
Since then, the band of musicians – led by television personality Dan Miller and featuring his daughter, Hannah, on mandolin, fiddle and vocals; and bass player and vocalist Wendy Corr – has entertained hundreds of thousands of visitors and guests with their blend of cowboy, country, bluegrass, gospel and Americana styles.
Recently, the band headlined a tour of 27 concert appearances throughout the Midwest and will be featured entertainment during the cowboy world’s glitziest weekend – the 62nd annual National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Western Heritage Awards event Friday in Oklahoma City.
‘Home On the Range’ Tour
From Jan. 31 through March 10, Miller, Corr and guest musician Stephanie Streeter traveled more than 8,000 miles to 12 states, performing 27 concerts to several thousand new friends.
“What an outstanding opportunity to play at some of our country’s most beautiful theaters and venues,” Miller said. “We’re thankful for the towns and cities we’ve played, and the great people we met along the way.”
The group decided to title the 2023 adventure the “Home On the Range” tour after “accidentally” stumbling across the location where the iconic Western song was born.
“After performing this classic Western anthem more than 2,000 times, what an unexpected surprise to come across the cabin where Dr. Brewster Higley composed his ‘My Western Home’ original poem,” Miller said. “Outstanding!”
Concert organizers and concertgoers alike had only praise for the band’s performances.
“Dan’s ongoing chatter had everyone laughing. Their skill with their music instruments was so impressive, and their vocal harmony was literally music to our ears,” wrote Cindy and Jim Filips of Yankton, South Dakota, in a letter to their local newspaper. “The toe-tapping, singalong, old favorite songs were just icing on the cake!”
“I knew from the first couple of songs that the group would be in my top favorites we’ve had come in the 8+ years I’ve been involved with (the Park Falls, Wisconsin, concert association), but by the end of the show, I would say they are my favorite group that we’ve had come to Park Falls,” said Skyler Dural-Eder. “I don’t think I’m alone in this thought, as we had audience members ask when we could get them back, and some members were seriously considering going to Beaver Dam (4+ hours away) to catch their performance again.”
Western Heritage Awards
Miller has spent his career promoting the cowboy way of life.
As a rodeo announcer and television commentator, Miller promoted cowboys and Western culture to a national audience for more than 30 years, and in 2015 was awarded the Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Award by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
While on tour, Miller was contacted by a board member from the Western Heritage Museum asking if the band would be available to perform at the 62nd annual National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Western Heritage Awards event April 14 in Oklahoma City.
“I’ve had the opportunity to take part in television projects filmed at the museum with some of my Western movie heroes, including Ben Johnson, Doug McClure and Wilford Brimley,” Miller said. “However, the opportunity to perform during this weekend is a real honor.”
The black-tie event honors people who have made significant contributions to Western heritage with their inductions into the Hall of Great Western Performers and Hall of Great Westerners.
Past award winners include Burt Reynolds, Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner. Scheduled to be honored this year are actor Lou Diamond Phillips and Western music legend Bob Wills, among others. Pete Coors and Red Steagall are also on the list of honorees.
In part because of Miller’s stature in rodeo circles, he also will be a presenter during the prestigious award ceremony, along with high profile acts like Brooks and Dunn, actor Barry Corbin and Patrick Wayne, son of Western icon John Wayne.
Miller will present the awards for Outstanding Traditional Western Music Album and Outstanding Original Western Composition, as well as the prestigious Chester A. Reynolds award, named in honor of the founder of the museum and is presented to a living honoree or group that has notably perpetuated the legacy of the American West.
“I’m so honored to play a small part in honoring those who embody the cowboy spirit and western way of life,” said Miller.
Nineteenth Season
This summer will mark 19 seasons for Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue, which has been featured in numerous publications, including USA Today and Cowboys and Indians magazine. Television networks RFD-TV, ESPN, the Travel Channel and the Outdoor Channel also have featured the Cowboy Music Revue.
“Many people who have discovered us on RFD-TV’s ‘Larry’s Country Diner’ make a point to travel to Cody to see us in person,” Miller said. “Another plus of our cross-country tour was giving ‘diner’ fans who hadn’t yet been able to make the trip to Cody the opportunity to see us live.”
Tour Continues With Performance in Indiana
Before this summer season begins, however, the band will make its final stop on the 2023 “Home On the Range” tour, playing at the noted Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana, Indiana, on April 21.
“My Indiana roots run deep,” Miller said. “Both of my sisters still make their homes ‘Back Home In Indiana,’ so it’s always a thrill for me to go home and share my western music with my fellow Hoosiers.”
Then in May, the trio will play closer to home with a special performance at the Basin City Arts Center on May 6 at 7 p.m.
“What a great way to wrap up our 2023 tour,” said Miller, “with a concert for our friends and neighbors here in Wyoming.”
