Blake Miller & the Old Fashioned Aces

Biography

Blake Miller, the leader of Blake Miller & the Old-Fashioned Aces, hails from Iota, Louisiana, born into a multi-generational musical family deeply immersed in Cajun culture. As the grandson of world-renowned accordion maker Larry Miller of Bon Cajun Accordions, Blake grew up helping in his grandfather's shop, where he met legendary musicians and received his first toy accordion at age 5. He learned traditional Cajun instruments—accordion, fiddle, guitar, bass, and steel guitar—from his grandpa, father, uncles, the late accordion player Kenneth Thibodeaux, jam sessions at D.I.’s Cajun Restaurant, and Augusta Cajun Week in Elkins, West Virginia. A fluent French speaker, he earned a degree in Francophone studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette while starting his career, playing dances at age 14 and touring internationally by 17 with bands like the Red Stick Ramblers, Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, and as a founding member of the Pine Leaf Boys.

Miller's career exploded with stints in premier Louisiana roots bands, including Balfa Toujours, Les Malfecteurs, the Revelers (where he sings, plays fiddle and accordion, and earned Grammy nominations), Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Daiquiri Queens, and others. In 2017, he founded the Old-Fashioned Aces with his wife, Amelia Biere (guitar, fiddle, vocals), and A.J. Srubas (fiddle, pedal steel guitar), focusing on pure traditional Cajun music—old fiddle tunes, dance floor packers, and bilingual country classics—as a 'powerhouse trio' or full electric band. Their style revives the 'well-worn tracks' of Cajun music amid modern boundary-pushing, performed in gritty dance halls and opera houses. Miller has played worldwide, from Haiti jam sessions to U.S. venues like Lincoln Center, while teaching, hosting 'La Lou Jukebox' on KRVS radio, and emphasizing Cajun music's vitality.

Now a veteran Cajun musician around age 37 (with 32 years of performing as of recent interviews), Miller's legacy lies in preserving authentic Cajun sounds through the Aces' 'comfort food' approach, Grammy-nominated collaborations, and passing traditions via teaching and performance. He remains humble, prioritizing gritty venues, home cooking like classic gumbo, and cultural pride, ensuring traditional Louisiana French music thrives for new generations.

Fun Facts

• Received his first toy accordion at age 5 and was pulled out of school in kindergarten to meet Zydeco legend Boozoo Chavis at his grandfather's shop.
• Considers himself a 'classic gumbo guy—chicken and sausage all the way' and jokes that he'd like people to know he's a good cook above all.
• Favorite venues are gritty, low-ceilinged dance halls like La Poussiere and Wranglers, lamenting the closure of spots like Slim's Y Ki Ki.
• Hosted a radio show called 'La Lou Jukebox' on KRVS at 6:00pm Central Saturdays to promote Cajun music.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Larry Miller - Grandfather, world-renowned accordion maker who immersed him in Cajun music from childhood (Bon Cajun Accordions shop jams and lessons) [Childhood onward]
• Kenneth Thibodeaux - Late local accordion player who taught traditional instruments (Cajun bandstand skills) [Early career]
• Beau Jocque - Zydeco giant who starstruck him while visiting grandfather's shop (N/A) [Childhood]
• Boozoo Chavis - Zydeco legend; met at age ~5-6 when Chavis visited shop for rubboard (N/A) [Kindergarten era]

Key Collaborators

• Amelia Biere - Wife and co-founder, guitarist/fiddle/vocals in Old-Fashioned Aces (Old-Fashioned Aces (2017-present)) [2017-present]
• A.J. Srubas - Band member, fiddle and pedal steel guitar (Old-Fashioned Aces) [2017-present]
• Red Stick Ramblers - Band member; featured in HBO's Treme (Made in the Shade, Katrina, Morning Blues) [Early 2000s-2013]
• Pine Leaf Boys - Founding member, Grammy-nominated young Cajun band (Grammy nomination) [Early career]
• The Revelers - Current member, sings/plays fiddle/accordion (Get Ready (Grammy-nominated), 4+ years) [2013-present]
• Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole - Band member, international tours (N/A) [Age 17 onward]
• Balfa Toujours - Band member (N/A) [Various]

External Links

• Spotify