Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucas Miller.
Lucas Miller, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 1993, about a year and half of graduating with a degree in zoology, I moved to Austin. My girlfriend (now wife) and I visited the town and loved the laid-back vibe. For me, the music scene was a big draw because I had had bands in college and still fantasized about making it as an alt-rocker.
I started working as an educator at what is now the Austin Zoo (was Good Day Ranch back then) and was using music and stories in my programs. After a year and a half, I started a business taking my program into schools in the Austin-San Antonio corridor. That grew and grew and now I travel across the country as the “singing zoologist.”
I have performed at hundreds of schools over those 31 years and have reached 2-3 million kids with my programs. It’s not unusual to meet a parent, teacher, or librarian who remembers me performing at their school or library when they were a kid!
I have four children’s books and one more on the way, have released four CDs, and have a YouTube channel with over 30k subscribers. Still going strong and as creative as ever!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For me, it’s just been about keeping at it and working hard; the rest has all fallen into place. The economy has gone up and down. Whole industries have risen and faded. There really was no internet when I started, so I’ve just tried to keep up with things as best as I can. The pandemic was tough on performers but I used the time to work on my video work and really got reconnected and reenergized; it was a big reset button that gave me time to try new things and elevate my creativity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
This all started as a way to draw people’s attention to the importance of nature and the need for conservation. I’ve tried to make that as fun and positive as I can, so I have a bouncy song about the endangered ocelot, an anthem for monarch butterflies, and my first real hit, “The Anaconda La Bamba,” about the the world’s heaviest snake.
I approach my music like a songwriter, so kids and adults can enjoy my music together. I really admired Jim Henson and all that 70s and 80s quality kids entertainment. My sense of humor is pretty out there (new newest book is a parody of “Rudolph” where Santa tries an anglerfish before he gets to the famous bioluminescent reindeer), and I just try to get as creative as I can to keep audiences guessing.
I think I”m most proud of just making it as an artist and setting an example to kids that you can make a living doing something weird and wacky.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Starting this whole thing was a leap of faith. I wasn’t married and didn’t have kids so I figured it was then or never, which was probably true. I witnessed people enjoying my work so I knew it was just a matter of marketing. I have thrown a lot of spaghetti at the wall. What sticks, I follow up on. What doesn’t gets jetisoned.
Starting your own thing is always going to be a risk but I am so grateful I had that courage; I can’t imagine my life had I stuck to a more traditional path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://singingzoologist.com
- Instagram: @singingzoologist
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lucasrocks
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-miller-01056717/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@singingzoo
Image Credits
Gorton center photos are by Michael Deloitte
