News Story - Idaho State Journal

POCATELLO -- Musician Brian Miera wants to remembered for his contribution to the community.

Miera, who plays bass guitar for Pocatello cover-band Andeconda, also helped organize a number of fundraisers for local residents and groups.

"I believe it's not about what you have, it's about what you give," he said.

As well as playing bass, Miera is also a guitar player and a song writer. He started playing as a child and said his older brother, Mike, inspired him to pursue a career in music.

"I got my first guitar when I was 11 years old," he said.

Miera went on to organize his first fundraiser in 1992 following a friend's suicide. The event raised money to help cover funeral costs and pay for a headstone.

"It was really successful," he said. "I thought this would be a good thing to do -- there are a lot of people in need."

But Miera takes very little credit for the success of the events he's helped to put together since then.

Over the past 16 years, he's raised money for the Idaho Food Bank, Toys for Tots, and the family of 16-year-old murder victim Cassie Stoddart, as well as numerous medical fundraisers for local individuals.

"I might be the organizer, but it's a partnership between local musicians," he said.

He said the Pocatello music scene is a tightknit community that is always willing to step up to the plate to help out.

"I think every band in town has played a benefit for me," said Miera, who also works as a sound technician for local venues.

For him, the reward comes later.

One of his earliest fundraising events was for an 11-year-old girl facing a kidney transplant. He recently saw the girl, who's now a healthy, active adult.

"It was just good to see her and know that she's healthy," he said.

Along with his musical career, Miera, a native of Pocatello, also works construction. He and his wife, Katie, have been married seven years and have two daughters.

When he's not on the stage or behind a sound desk, he can often be spotted along the Portneuf Greenway with his guitar and his three dogs.

"My whole life is pretty much based around music," he said. "One of my favorite things to do is to go down by the river and play my guitar."

Miera said he'll continue to write and play music and hopes to record and gain exposure for his own original songs. He described his musical composition as "melodic based."

"They tell a story," he said. "I like to send a message so that it hits people right in the chest."

Miera and Andeconda will appear at T.A.P.S. Bar on Garrett Way on Sept. 20 -21.

This document was originally published online on Monday, August 25, 2008

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