Up-and-coming country queen brings twang to an island show

Her recent album included assists from major players from Seattle and beyond.

Miller Campbell, a country music artist who previously appeared on Vashon in the Patsy Cline tribute concert, “Sweet Dreams,” will have the stage to herself at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at Snapdragon’s Black Cat Cabaret.

The intimate solo show, produced by islander Debra Heesch, is a benefit for Voice for Vashon (VoV), the island’s own nonprofit public radio and television station. Heesch, who also produced “Sweet Dreams,” said she has long admired Campbell’s music.

“I like her music because it is true country, but also sounds fresh because she is so young,” Heesch said. “She sticks to the traditional country music feel.”

Campbell, a statuesque redhead in her 20s, is a rising star in the Northwest’s country music scene. According to a bio on her website, she aims to be a country singer and songwriter cut from the same cloth as such soulful superstars as Cline, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. Since the release of her 2017 debut album, “Sweet Whiskey,” she has been busy making a name for herself and her music at festivals, rodeos, country bars and honky-tonks.

The cousin of legend Glen Campbell, Miller grew up as a classically trained musician who was also steeped in musical theater.

“I was drawn to country music, as the songwriting style was so similar to musical theater,” she said.

Written in Battleground, Washington and Nashville, Tennesee, “Sweet Whiskey,” included assists from major players from Seattle and beyond. These musicians included Tim Hanseroth (who plays with Brandi Carlile), Harrison Yount (who has played with Kacey Musgraves), blues artist Amber Sweeney and Andrew Joslyn (who has played with Macklemore). The record was recorded at London Bridge Studio in Seattle.

“It was extremely important to me to record in Washington,” Miller said. “I want to show the world what country music in the Pacific Northwest is really all about … we have incredible talent, and our own unique story to tell.”

Tickets to the show, $20, can be purchased at Vashon Bookshop or brownpapertickets.org. Part of the proceeds will go toward supporting the robust, community-run programs of Voice of Vashon (VoV), founded as an island nonprofit in 2001.

The Vashon-centric radio station is located on the dial at KVSH 101.9FM, and offers an expansive roster of music and talk radio programs, all created by islanders. Community and emergency alerts — about closed roads, power outages, downed trees and other such events — are also broadcast at 1650AM. This service has expanded to email, Facebook and streaming on the Web. VoV volunteers also offer other information on 1650AM – ferry delays, alerts about missing persons and helpful tips for visitors.