Steve Miller will be honored next month by the Les Paul Foundation with its annual Les Paul Spirit Award named after his godfather, the late guitarist and innovator of the instrument.
Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation, says, "I cannot think of anyone more deserving to be honored with the Les Paul Spirit Award than Steve Miller. Not only is he an extraordinary talent and a wonderful friend of the Les Paul Foundation, Steve holds the very distinct title of being Les's godson. They had a very unique relationship which Les cherished. If anyone understands the 'spirit' of Les Paul, it's Steve. If Les were still alive today, Steve and he would be jamming at his house regularly. I am personally thrilled to be able to present Steve with this award because I know he exemplifies everything Les was about and wanted to accomplish."
And, it was Les who Miller credits with his decision to become a musician.
The award, which is made from actual hand-carved acoustic boards built by Les Paul that he used in his home studio, is given to an individual who exemplifies his spirit through innovation, engineering, technology and/or music. It will be presented on June 9th, which would have been Les Paul's 110th birthday, at the Gibson Garage in Nashville.
Previous recipients include Bob Weir, Nile Rodgers, The Edge and Peter Frampton.