Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on New Year's Eve 1949, the musician grew up performing in church choirs. He studied with influential choir director/arranger/singer/songwriter Mattie Moss Clark while attending the University of Akron, where he further developed his finessed baritone vocals. Akron remained his base for most of his career. Though he began recording in 1979, Miller had his major-label debut in 1984 with Atlanta International; I Still Love the Name Jesus hit the Billboard Gospel Albums chart early the next year. His follow-up, 1985's Unspeakable Joy, climbed to number three. He would continue to appear on the chart over the next decade, including his third album Redeeming Love, 1988's Sing Until Morning, and 1993's Victory. In 1990, he collaborated with his mentor on With Mattie Clark, and after over a dozen albums including the Grammy-nominated Live in Houston, The Best of Douglas Miller: The Early Years was issued in 2000. Also a composer of several gospel musicals, his Secret Lover originally co-starred Miller and Clark. ~ Marcy Donelson