Maybe you’ve seen him if you’re an Atlanta Braves fan, or even if you’re not. The charming tuxedo-wearing man who, on Sundays and holidays, belts out “God Bless America” during the seventh inning.

I’ve seen him at least a hundred times in the last 10 years; his nаme is Timothy Miller. He makes people cry and warms their hearts in approximately two minutes. With each one being more poignant than the last, it’s an amazing show of patriotism. Here’s a clip of him performing:

Perhaps, like me, you are curious about: Is he wed? Does he have kids? Does he relish dressing up to sing in front of 40,000 fans at a baseball game in 95 degree weather, not to mention the few million more who watch at home? Is he acquainted with the players, and do they value his contributions?

“Yes” is the response to each of the queries.

He describes himself as a celebrity by odd means, not by аccident. He is ready for his big break and has received excellent training.

He claims God gave him the gift of voice. Being a modest man, he is flattered to learn that his appearance on television causes people to pause what they are doing. Yes, he observes the fans’ response from the SunTrust Park bleachers. He is unable to observe the spectators in the concourse who take a few minutes to applaud one another before placing their hоt dog orders. When he starts singing, he hears the tales of veterans—some of whom have trouble walking—carefully getting up from their living room chairs.

A quarter of a century ago, in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, he set off on his trek to the baseball diamond. At the age of ten, he was “discovered” at a church. My family has a tradition of singing. My father, Rev. Dr. Woodrow Miller Jr., was one of fourteen children, and my mother, Ann Miller, was one of twelve. There was music whenever our family—which includes his sister Telisha Miller—got together. “I was singing up front at church one day, and the pianist had her back to me,” he went on. She turned around once the song ended, looked at me, then looked at my mother. The pianist asked his mother, “Do you know your son has a voice?” after church. His mother noticed and urged him to pursue music studies.

He excelled in biology and arithmetic at the Academy of Richmond County, Georgia, where he also played alto saxophone in the band. However, he never lost sight of that gift—his voice. While attending Augusta State University, he continued to sing in churches and took vocal training. He continued his education from Paine College by enrolling in the Glee Club at Morehouse College in Atlanta. “How can people make these sounds?” he asked himself, аmаzed by the brilliance all around him.

He was singing for the first time with similarly gifted pupils who focused on classical and operatic music. He was pushed to perform better. “I’ve always loved hymns and gospel music, having grown up with them. It was time for official training now.

He gave performances with the Georgia Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Symphony upon his graduation from college. By 2008, the Braves have adopted “God Bless America” as their home game theme, joining a number of other teams in the post-9/11 era. Eight vocalists were invited to try out for the team’s permanent singing position. Miller came in at number eight. “They felt like they had found their man after the seventh guy sang,” the entertainment director subsequently informed me. I was only given permission to sing since they had assured me of a tryout. I will always be grateful to me for persuading them to reconsider, for whatever reason.

Both the Braves players and their supporters are. He remarked, “They’re just people, like us.” They always give me a thumbs up or a high five, even on their bad days. A few weeks ago, (former Braves manager) Fredi Gonzalez came up behind me and gave me a big hug. Martin Prado, a former Braves player, did the same. That was very meaningful to me.

Miller claims that throughout the games, he never gets tired of singing “God Bless America.” It’s always a privilege. Every time I sing it, I’m aware that someone is hearing me for the first time. I adore how people feel and how proud it makes them feel. At the games, we pay tribute to veterans, and the song really touches them. My dad served in the military for twenty years, but I never had the privilege of serving. This is how I want to give back.

His two children, son Matthew (8) and daughter Morgan (10) with his wife Iuyana, are used to having a father who is a known face. People come up to me asking for selfies or to tell me how much I’ve helped motivate their kids to take voice lessons. I advise them to pursue further studies. It is a feasible objective.

What is there about the renowned singer that we are unaware of? Having grown up rooting for Otis, Deion, Andruw, and Chipper, he has been a longtime Braves fan. He played at the inauguration of the Georgia governor and gave master classes during his tour of Europe. His “day job” at Morehouse is as an adjunct music and voice professor. He sings Latin, Italian, French, and German. He adores “Sir Duke” Ellington’s swing sound and musical theater. He is willing to schedule public appearances and would want to offer more of his repertoire, which may shortly include a Christmas recital. He admitted that he had erred in his singing at Braves games, but if that’s the case, he definitely tricked me. He also has a sense of humor, as the photo below illustrates.

He enjoys taking his family to Chattanooga to take advantage of the attractions in the Scenic City. When he’s not wearing his signature tuxedo, people tend not to identify him. “This one instance occurred,” he remarked. In the grocery store, I was attempting to choose which eggs to purchаse. “I appreciate what you do,” was all that a man said as he approached me and tapped me on the shoulder.

Timothy Miller cites the following individuals as significant influences in his life, in addition to his family:

“In high school, my mother took me to see the renowned soprano Jessye Norman, and I’ve been inspired by her voice ever since!” She’s from Augusta, too.

Molly Baldwin, the choral director at my high school.

The Creative Impressions are a select group of high school kids who are audition only. The director is Evelyn Ellis.

Director of the Morehouse College Glee Club, Dr. David Morrow.

Dr. Uzee Brown, an undergraduate voice instructor at Morehouse College and chairman of the music department.

In October 2017, I had the privilege of being admitted into the Hall of Fаme of my high school.