With Tom Adams making the move to Flamekeeper, we asked Bill Emerson who would be stepping in to play guitar with Sweet Dixie.

And he tells us that guitarist John Miller is joining the group as of August 1. John was most recently a member of Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, where he played mandolin and sang tenor. Bill says that the whole band is thrilled to have John join them, and that Wayne Lanham will now assume most of the lead male vocals in the band.

Bill and John have performed and recorded together several times in the recent past, and Miller jumped at the chance to work with Emerson again.

“Bill is truly a hero of mine and I am lucky enough to consider him a friend. Bill has done a lot for our music and wants to keep making records and play good Timing. I’m excited about the opportunity of playing with him and making some new music in the studio.”

Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie have nearly completed a new CD which includes John on guitar. It is scheduled for release in early 2010.

John Miller, who has most recently been playing mandolin and singing tenor with Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice, tells us that he is leaving the group. No word yet about a replacement.

John says that his future plans are in flux, but it’s clear that someone will get a strong guitar and tenor man out of the deal.

For the short term, Miller is working with Jesse Brock (mandolinist with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper) on a new Gospel project for singer/songwriter Rick Lang. John and Jesse are both producing and playing on the CD, Look To The Light, which will feature 14 Lang originals and co-writes.

Rick’s songs have been recorded by a number of prominent bluegrass artists, including Lonesome River band, IIIrd Tyme Out, Front Range and Paul Adkins.

Assisting will be Ron Stewart on banjo and fiddle, Wyatt Rice on guitar, and Mike Cleveland on fiddle. Additional vocals will be provided by Junior Sisk, Russell Moore, Jeff Parker and Dale Ann Bradley.

Should be a good’n.

Not long ago we reported that Chris Harris had left Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, and that Junior was in search of a new mandolin player.

Junior has just announced that John Miller will be joining the band in that capacity. John may be more well known as a guitarist rather than a mandolin player, but he is equally talented on either instrument. Perhaps even more than his instrumental prowess, John is known for his soaring tenor vocals. Hearing him and Junior together should be quite a treat.

John has toured and recorded with a number of highly regarded bluegrass artists, most recently with Frank Solivan II & Dirty Kitchen, with whom I saw him perform at IBMA in October.

Here’s a word from Junior concerning the change in the band.

We are exited to announce the newest edition to our band. John Miller from Christiansburg, VA will be taking the place of Chris Harris on mandolin and vocals. He is a great talent as well as a great guy. We are looking forward to 2009 and many years to come. I would like to thank all the guys who sought interest in the band and took time to come pick with us. I didn’t realize how many talented musicians and singers were this close to me. I would like to wish them all a prosperous career in the business. Anyone looking for such a musician don’t hesitate to give me a shout and I’ll pass along these guys.