A native of Edinburgh, Ed Miller first came to the USA for “a year or two” to do graduate studies at the University of Texas. Now, over 40 years later, he is still based in Austin and travels throughout North America entertaining and educating audiences with his wonderful songs and droll sense of humor. He’s been a longtime favorite at NTIF and we are always delighted to welcome him back.

Although he did gain a PhD in Folklore from UT, and still hosts “Across the Pond” (4-5:00 PM Central time on KDRP.org), he has been a fulltime performer for over 35 years. During that time, he has established himself as one of Scotland’s finest singing exports and is in great demand to perform at house concerts, folk clubs, coffeehouse, Celtic Festivals, Burns Suppers and Highland Games all over the country.

In recent years, he has expanded his activities into leading folksong tours to Scotland to meet the singers and hear the songs “on Location.” You haven’t seen Scotland until you’ve seen it with Ed!

If you are looking for nostalgic, Brigadoonish schlock, this is not your man. But if you like good songs sung well, with a healthy mixture of realism and humor, you’ve come to the right place. He first learned his craft in the pubs and clubs of Edinburgh during the folk revival days of the 1960’s and his repertoire shows the width of that movement. From old traditional ballads and timeless songs of Robert Burns to contemporary songs of urban change, emigration, nationalism and humor, a performance by Ed Miller gives a real taste of Scotland and shows his continuing love and knowledge of his homeland. Don’t be surprised, however, if he draws musical connections between the old country and his adopted home in Texas.

Reviews of Miller’s performances often use words such as “flawless,” “compelling,” or “refreshing,” while his voice has been described as being “as smooth and satisfying as a good single malt whisky.”

Ed is joined this year, as he often is, by standout musicians and friends Rich Brotherton, Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse.

Rich Brotherton, who is best known outside of Austin, Texas, as Robert Earl Keen’s guitar player. But in his adopted hometown he’s much, much more. There he’s also a celebrated folk and Celtic musician, and a producer who has helmed records for Keen, Caroline Herring, Rodney Hayden, Beaver Nelson, Ana Egge and others. He’s exceptionally well travelled and his foundation in Irish music has solid roots. After finishing school in 1981, Brotherton traveled to the town of Doolin in the County of Clare, Ireland, to study music. He lived in a tent in a field behind McGann’s Pub & Restaurant for the summer, working in the restaurant during the day and playing music in the pub at night. Dedication and fun! He met Ed Miller, also Austin based, and they’ve been making music together whenever possible.

Alabama native Jil Chambless has played an active role in the Celtic music scene for more than 25 years.  As singer and flute and whistle player, Jil has completed many recording projects and performed at Celtic festivals and concerts across the US as well as in Canada, Scotland, and Israel with the band Henri's Notions, guitarist Scooter Muse, singer Ed Miller, fiddler John Taylor, the band Vulcan Eejits!, the John Whelan Trio, the Mairtin De Cogain Project, and others.  Jil brings to any audience a wonderful listening experience from haunting ballads and upbeat songs to  toe-tapping tunes with a smooth delivery that never fails to bring both smiles and tears in every performance. "I never tire of listening to Jil Chambless sing. Her extraordinary voice and passion create an atmosphere where each song becomes something very special."  - Alex Beaton

A long time guitar player, 1968 marked a big change in the music Scooter Muse had digested during the folk years. Bonnie and Clyde had a banjo on the soundtrack – Earl Scruggs’ Foggy Mt. Breakdown – and from that point on he never looked back.

Finally, after the summer of 1972, with the sound of Dueling Banjos on any folkie’s mind, Scooter purchased his first banjo, took a few lessons – and almost 50 years later has been fortunate to win countless banjo competitions throughout the southeast including the Tennessee Valley Championships 8 times.

While at the Briarfield Bluegrass Festival in Alabama in the early 80’s, another life-changer for him was experiencing the progressive Celtic sounds of a great band, Touchstone.  That show launched him into the world of Celtic music on banjo, and ultimately, moving into the world of open tunings on the guitar.

In the 90’s he founded the Full Moon Ensemble, who achieved national recognition, toured the US and Canada as well as Scotland and recorded 5 critically acclaimed CDs. After a successful 8 year run, the FME went their separate ways and Scooter was drafted as the guitar player for the longest running Celtic band in the south, Henri’s Notions, based in Tuscaloosa, AL for over 30 years.  The Notions consistently play festivals, concerts and other venues throughout the southeast and have appeared with such great artists as Bob Dylan, Paddy Obrien, Patrick Street, Brian McNeill and countless others.

In 2005, Scooter recorded his first solo guitar CD, Saddell Abbey, with all original material as well as original music set to the poetry of Robert Burns. From there while still with the Notions, he began to work as a duo with vocalist/flute player Jil Chambless. They have recorded three highly acclaimed CDs – The Laverock Sang, Passing Tales and Glories, and The Lang Awa Ships. 2021 marked the release of his new solo acoustic guitar CD, The Road to Kintyre.