HOW MANY DAN MILLERS DOES IT TAKE?

BY DAN MILLER
(February 2, 2006)

Like circus clowns in little cars, we just keep appearing.

Each of the photos next to this essay is a person named Dan Miller.
I could have put dozens more, but our web manager suggested six would be plenty.

Here's what started this thought process.
I got an email this week from a viewer who said she had purchased my new book.
The problem is.... I've never written a book.

So I looked up the title she mentioned, and sure enough -- it was a self help book written by Dan Miller.
That's him.... Dan Miller the author.... in the top picture.
For some reason, my friends got a chuckle at the thought of me writing a "self-help book".

Also appearing are Dan Miller, the organist...
Dan Miller, the former premier of British Columbia....
Dan Miller, the jazz musician....
and a former congressman from Florida named Dan Miller.

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, lists eight Dan Miller's including -- among others -- a guitarist.... another rocker.... a comic book creator.... and me.

And, trust me, that's just the tip of the dan-berg.
That's Dan Miller, one of the rockers in that bottom photo.

A few years ago there was another broadcaster here in Nashville who went by Daniel Miller, at least until the day in 1986 when I moved to California.
From that day on, he started calling himself Dan Miller.
I've actually received some mail (and checks) meant for him.
(Yes, all the checks were returned un-cashed)

And -- get this -- in a remarkable small world coincidence, that Dan Miller hosted a quiz show on TNN at the same time I was hosting my talk show Miller & Company on the same cable network.
Talk about your confusion!

I've considered reverting to Danny.
That's what my family and old friends still call me.
But, alas, there are thousands of Danny Miller's as well.

Perhaps I should start using one of the nicknames my childhood pals called me.... Pie Miller, or Duker....
or, I could use Zach, or the initials Z.D., like my Dad.
or, maybe Z. Dan.....

Or, like my buddy Fred Thompson..... I could become Dan Dalton Miller.

Of course, this problem is not unique to me.
I'm sure Demetria is also constantly confused with all the other Demetria Kalodimos's out there.

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