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His Songs Fight Cancer

Tribune photo by JAMIE PILARCYZK

John Millers goal is to bring together musicians and raise money for the American Cancer Society.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: December 31, 2008

BALLAST POINT - John Miller hopes to cure cancer with music.

Using his album and those of other musicians, Miller, 27, wants to raise money through concerts and album sales, with all proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society.

MusiCure, launched this summer, debuts with the release of Miller's first solo album, "Follow Me Home."

Miller was inspired by his mother, Sally, a cancer survivor. The Ballast Point resident sang lead vocals in a band as a Plant High School student, and taught himself how to play guitar while studying sports management at the University of Florida.

He now is membership director at the Interbay-Glover Family YMCA in Tampa. In his free time he nurtures MusiCure in hope of helping to find a cure for the disease.

Q: What led to you starting a nonprofit group?

A: I created the album and then decided I wanted do something bigger than just an album, something that would last longer. The idea of pushing album sales just for profit didn't strike a chord with me. I can't think of a better way to introduce people to my music than through a cause for cancer research.

Q: As a musician, will you be the lead in MusiCure concerts and albums?

A: It's not the John Miller show. I want any musicians to participate. It's about using the universal language of music to help cure cancer. Even if it's just a small piece of the puzzle to find a cure one day, that's the goal.

Q: How long have you been writing songs?

A: I've been writing songs since high school. A lot of personal experiences go into my songs. I'm into the play on words, like in the song "I Wish I Wished You Well." Sometimes I'll write a song in five minutes; sometimes six months.

Q: Does your music fall into any specific genre?

A: I'd say acoustic rock. The album ("Follow Me Home") has a singer-songwriter feel with a band element. The focus was on the lyrics. Every song tells a story.

Q: How do you hope MusiCure evolves?

A: In a few months, my goal is to have other artists' albums for sale. Anybody could be involved, even high school choruses. The goal of MusiCure is to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society by engaging communities in the universal language of music. Through album sales, concerts and donations, musicians and their fans will lead a motivated and passionate effort towards a cure.

TO BUY THE ALBUM

The $10 album is available at Vinyl Fever, 4110 Henderson Blvd., or online at www.johnmillersongs.com. To contact Miller, call (813) 220-2075.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661. Keyword: MusiCure, to hear a song from John Miller's album, "Follow Me Home."

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