Arts & Entertainment

How the Guitar Helped a Local Veteran

Dillon Miller, whose group Sparrows performs tonight at Connexions, tells his story.

When asked about his group's influences, Dillon Miller names the greats.

"Elliot Smith. Jeff Buckley. Nick Drake," says Miller, one third of the pop-folk trio Sparrows, which is holding an EP release party tonight at art gallery.

The formula also includes some prog rock and old-time folk and roots music, brought together by Miller, Seth Phillips and Chelsea Reed, all graduates.

Find out what's happening in Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Miller has played music for much of his life, but the guitar is a fairly recent addition. He began playing four years ago, just before his National Guard unit was sent to Iraq.

The guitar, which his parents shipped over to him, helped him get through the war.

Find out what's happening in Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The big thing when you've over there is you get very little private time," Miller said. 

But playing the guitar, "I got to be in my own world."

When it came time to leave Iraq, another soldier -- also a guitar player -- noticed Miller playing the instrument. Miller agreed to leave it with him, but not before etching his name onto it.

"I hope that he did the same thing," Miller says, meaning that he hopes he passed it along to another soldier.

"I don't remember his name. I just gave it to him," he added. But he likes the idea of the guitar traveling from soldier to soldier, maybe moving around the world.

"I hope that some day I see it online," Miller said.

Tonight's EP release event begins at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m., and is BYOB. Look for Sparrows to perform some songs, and talk a bit about the record.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here