Bank sets up bingo and benefit fund for Gary 'Music' Miller

[EZ103.3FM]

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x10 ... sic-Miller
HUNTINGTON -- A charity bingo and a benefit fund at a local bank have been set up to help a longtime disc jockey at WKEE-FM who has fallen on hard times after a car crashed into his home in Westmoreland last month, catching the home on fire.

"The house looks like a war zone," said Gary "Music" Miller. "We're living week-to-week right now. What we can salvage will have to be cleaned because of the smoke damage."

Miller was a disc jockey at WKEE for more than 30 years before losing his job at the Huntington radio station in 2009. He and his wife, Kim, have faced financial and health problems, and Miller didn't have insurance on the home they had lived in for years. The radio station, the manager of the Best Western near the Huntington Mall and even a listener have helped provide housing for the Millers for the past several weeks.

The Gary B. Miller benefit fund has been set up at City National Bank in Huntington. The phone number for the bank is 304-526-6200. Earlier this week the fund had a $100 balance, Miller said.

The radio station also has been promoting a charity bingo at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at Redman Bingo. Proceeds from the bingo will be forwarded to the benefit fund at the bank, said Judy Jennings, regional marketing manager at WKEE.

"Hopefully, people who remember Gary will want to come out and help," Jennings said.

The radio station began promoting the charity bingo on air Monday.

The charity bingo is set on the Miller's 31st wedding anniversary, Jennings said.

The family very likely won't be able to get back into their home on Camden Road in Westmoreland, Miller said.

A former classmate has offered Miller the use of a small, rental house in Westmoreland. Their time at the motel is up on June 18, he said. The house needs some repairs, he said.

Any funds or donations raised will go toward fixing up the house, cleaning up damaged items and providing furnishings for the new house, he said.

"This money will help us rebuild our lives," Miller said. "We're humbled and grateful by the outpouring of community support."

[Ace Purple]

Hopefully there will be a strong turnout for the fundraiser. Schedule permitting, I plan to attend -- Redmen Bingo Hall is located at 1759 Adams Ave in Huntington from what I read online.

[Greg Goodfellow]

Hopefully Mr. Miller will soon get to do the job he loves. Perhaps lightning can strke twice and another deserving Mr. Miller will get a radio gig.

[the jive talkin one]

I had a great, long talk with Gary a few days ago. He and Kim have found a new place near Camden Park, a little over a mile from their old house. The proceeds from the Bingo night (which he said was being done without their involvement...though they appreciate the intentions and efforts of their former co-workers) will probably be used to pay for more nights at the hotel while the house is being "fixed up" for them.

Beyond his tight air style, in the tradition of the great jocks we listed to on "skip" from Chicago in the 60's and 70's, Gary has a deep knowledge of music. I hope that his skills and background can be utilized to share with us in the future...but I don't think that will be in the form of a daily air shift. He is not looking to get back into radio, but to enjoy retirement.

On a personal note, any success I have had in radio has been due in part to the help Gary gave me in getting my early air work at WWHY and WCMI. He and I were high school friends, but we have been out of touch more often than not since we last worked together in 1978. I hope we don't lose touch again!