Texas native Rhett Miller is best known as the frontman of the Dallas-based alt-country band the Old 97’s, though he has also enjoyed a critically acclaimed solo career. The Old 97’s, formed in 1993, quickly earned a devoted following with their energetic blend of country and power pop, making a notable impact with their 1995 album Wreck Your Life, which led to a stint with Elektra Records and the release of one of their finest albums, Too Far to Care (1997).

While all four band members pursued side projects, Miller’s solo work drew the most attention for its introspective and melodic pop sensibilities, focusing on themes like fatherhood, love, and sex. Interestingly, Miller began his solo career before the band was formed, releasing an acoustic folk album titled Mythologies in 1989, produced by future Old 97’s bassist Murry Hammond.

Together, they also performed as the Ranchero Brothers, an acoustic duo that gained a modest following despite never releasing an album. Miller’s first major-label solo album, The Instigator, was produced by Jon Brion and released in 2002, followed by The Believer in 2006.

He continued to balance solo projects with his work in the Old 97’s, releasing Rhett Miller (2009), the covers album The Interpreter: Live at Largo (2010), and the country-pop hybrid The Dreamer (2012) on his own Maximum Sunshine label. In 2015, he released The Traveler, featuring members of the Decemberists and a guest appearance by R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, and followed it with The Messenger (2018), recorded in Brooklyn with producer Sam Cohen and released on ATO Records.

Despite his solo success, Miller has remained committed to the Old 97’s, continuing to record and tour with the band while exploring new creative directions on his own.