In their second duo record, "Walk on Solid Ground," Gene and Gayla Mills once again appeal to the head and heart with original songs exploring the breadth and nuance of life. In Gene’s story songs, some characters overcome weakness, loss, or a broken heart, while others embrace the beauty and brevity of experience. Some songs continue the folk

In their second duo record, "Walk on Solid Ground," Gene and Gayla Mills once again appeal to the head and heart with original songs exploring the breadth and nuance of life. In Gene’s story songs, some characters overcome weakness, loss, or a broken heart, while others embrace the beauty and brevity of experience. Some songs continue the folk tradition of protesting threats from moneyed interests. Others poke fun at the opposite sex, embrace flirtation, or express the intensity of love. The duo’s eclectic mix of traditional folk, bluegrass, country, and Americana centers on the sounds of Gene’s acoustic guitar, Gayla’s upright bass, and their supple harmony singing, enhanced by guest musicians Barry Lawson (mandolin), Ivan Rosenberg (dobro), and Cody Martin (drums).

“A deceptively gentle album where the duo carries the weight with some coloration here and there, this is a classic example of real music for real music fans who find themselves still playing this years from now. Hot stuff.”

Chris Spector, Midwest Record

10 Album, Folk DJ Chart

Building on Gene’s first CD “Waiting for Rain,” this duo album once again features Gene’s all original songs. Now joined by his wife Gayla on harmony and lead vocals and bass (and co-author of Everyday Things), Gene’s bright acoustic guitar and vocals set the tone. The acoustic Americana sound varies from a folk feel on Great Divide and Talking to

Building on Gene’s first CD “Waiting for Rain,” this duo album once again features Gene’s all original songs. Now joined by his wife Gayla on harmony and lead vocals and bass (and co-author of Everyday Things), Gene’s bright acoustic guitar and vocals set the tone. The acoustic Americana sound varies from a folk feel on Great Divide and Talking to a Stone to a bluegrass treatment on Milk and Honey and River, Railway, Road and a traditional country sound on Thriving and Everyday Things. Two instrumentals, flat-picked Bright Blue Eyes and finger-picked Dying Fire with spare bass accompaniment, add further depth. The duo are joined by Bill Evans (banjo), Ivan Rosenberg (dobro), Barry Lawson (mandolin), and Jim Skelding (fiddle).

"For those that love fables of experience, tragedy, love and endeavour both happy and sad plus the indefinable human essence that comes in spades with Americana, this is an album you must have. If these songs don’t move you, then your soul is made of stone." Tim Carroll, FolkWords

5 album, Roots Music Report Folk Chart and #11 album, Folk DJ Chart

2012 Top 100 Folk albums (#38)

The all-original songs on this acoustic Americana CD by songwriter and guitarist Gene Mills have garnered over a dozen awards, including first place (country) and second place (folk) in the Indie International Songwriting Contest. Gene mixes lyrics in the best folk tradition with skillful guitar picking, backed by Steve Smith (mandolin and

The all-original songs on this acoustic Americana CD by songwriter and guitarist Gene Mills have garnered over a dozen awards, including first place (country) and second place (folk) in the Indie International Songwriting Contest. Gene mixes lyrics in the best folk tradition with skillful guitar picking, backed by Steve Smith (mandolin and harmony), Claire Lynch (harmony vocals), Gayla Mills (bass and harmony), Missy Raines (bass), Bill Evans (banjo), and Jim Skelding (fiddle). “A charismatic acoustic collection of beautiful, rural story songs…a compelling and seasoned effort” Maverick Magazine ​