A former American Idol contestant and Phenix City, Ala. native will be joining the Kerry Gilbert Band during their monthly show at the Roxy Theatre this Saturday.

Garrett Miles, who has been blind since birth, will join the KGB at the Russellville theatre on April 11 at 7 p.m. Gilbert said he is looking forward to the show and thinks the crowd will be very impressed.

“That guy just runs with the show when he gets up on stage,” Gilbert said. “The first time I saw him perform I could tell he just automatically knows how to work the crowd.”

Gilbert said his friend and bassist for the KGB, Mitchell Curtis, started working with Miles a few months ago.

“He had seen him on American Idol and wanted to work with him and so we had him come up for a show,” Gilbert said.

Another KGB member, Hugh Banks, said he remembered the judges being impressed with Miles’ talent.

“The judges on American Idol really liked him, if I can remember right,” Banks said. “He has just a really classic voice and a lot of talent.”

Miles, who was born without eyesight, is a “young man with a wealth of talent,” according to Gilbert.

“When he’s on stage you can tell he just has a way about him,” Gilbert said. “He’s comical and entertaining and he’s just a natural at being an entertainer. You can see that when he’s on stage. He is just a real talent.”

Banks said Miles is young right now, but he doesn’t really need to change anything.

“He’s only like 24 or 25 and he has a really strong voice,” Banks said. “He plays some guitar and he knows his music, but his voice is really his strong point.

“He has really supportive parents I think and they’ve provided him with everything he needs to become successful,” Banks said. “His voice and his approach to being an entertainer is right there and I don’t think he needs to change anything, he just needs to grow as an artist.”

Miles released his debut album, “Country Classics” in 2012 and both Gilbert and Banks agreed that he is definitely a classic country kind of artist.

“He has that real classic country voice,” Gilbert said. “He likes all the old timers that we do like Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Ronnie Milsap and others.”

He has opened for notable artists such as Tracy Lawrence, Blake Shelton, George Jones, BJ Thomas, Billy Joe Royal, Sammy Kershaw, Ray Price, Boots Randolph, Lee Greenwood and The Platters and Gilbert thinks he has enough talent and promise to rise up the country ranks.

“This kid is not only a phenomenal singer and musician, but he has a real likeability to him that is tough to explain,” Gilbert said. “When he is on stage he is entertaining but he also has a way about him that just makes you like him.”

Banks echoed the sentiment.

“He has a lot of confidence in himself and it shows,” Banks said. “He has a way about him that sets the crowd at ease.”

Another famous country artist that spent the majority of his life completely blind, Ronnie Milsap, was brought up for comparison by Gilbert.

“Miles has that classic country style voice and of course there are the comparisons between him and Ronnie Milsap,” Gilbert said. “Ronnie is retiring from being an entertainer this year and so maybe it is time for him to pass the torch on to Garrett and let him keep it going.”

Gilbert said Miles would be joining the KGB on Saturday for the whole evening.

“His father helps him on and off the stage and he usually sits when he’s playing and so I think what we’ll do is have him come out and join us for the whole show,” Gilbert said. “I really think the crowd is going to like this kid.”

Banks said Miles is the type of artist that is easy for crowds to like.

“He has that confidence that makes him a great performer and not every artist has that,” Banks said. “You won’t see him singing any new country because he’s all about that classic country.”

Gilbert said there would be new KGB t-shirts on sale at the show April 11.

“We had gotten some requests for new shirts and we found a way to get them printed up,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert is also planning on beginning recording a new album in the near future.
“I’ve got the idea to do an album of old hymns and traditional gospel music,” Gilbert said. “I’ve just got to find the time to get it done. Putting on this show each month at the Roxy is important to me and I would like to see the community continue to support it and for it to grow in both popularity and support.

“It’s a real privilege and a pleasure to host the show each month,” Gilbert said. “I like to see all the people that come from out of town and hours away, but I’d really like to see some more support locally. Hopefully we can see that happen.”