By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
NASHVILLE, TENN — It’s been a trying time — and an exciting time — for Denver Bierman and the Mile High Orchestra.
When last we left our hero and Plymouth High School grad Denver, he and the band had been in the top three on “American Idol’s” sister show, “The Next Great American Band.” Since then, the band has signed a booking deal with Creative Artists Agency, one of the biggest entertainment agents in the world. And they’ve also agreed to play the Marshall County Blueberry Festival this Labor Day.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than that,” said Bierman sounding as if he’d gotten another call to Hollywood. “Seriously, do you know how many people come to that festival? It’s one of the biggest festivals in the country, and I finally get to come home. I honestly can’t wait. It’s awesome.”
While he now resides in Nashville, Bierman still thinks of Plymouth as home.
“It’s been over a year since I’ve been able to be home for more than a few hours,” he said. “The last time I was there I didn’t even get to visit my parents’ house. I owe so much to Plymouth, with the speech team and band department, the things I learned there that helped me. Kids in Plymouth get a much better arts education than most kids around and I really hope they appreciate what it can do for them.”
For the band, things are moving at the speed of the entertainment industry.
“Sometimes that can be really frustrating,” said Bierman. “This is a huge deal for us and we are very excited about it, but in spite of what people may think, everything in the entertainment industry seems to take forever. Nothing is overnight, it takes a long, long time.”
DMHO was the only band from the show, other than the winners, the Clark Brothers, to sign a deal. They’ve been with CAA since January, and while things may be moving slowly on some fronts, the band has hardly been idle.
“We decided after the show to change our direction musically,” said Bierman. “We’re wanting to go in the direction of some of the really great horn bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, or Chicago with an edge, a little more contemporary. One of the songs we’re working on sort of sounds like Maroon 5 with horns. We’re taking all these influences and blending them.”
The band has been in the studio recording, and Bierman has been writing songs in hopes of putting together a new album soon. Before the show, Denver wrote all the band’s songs. Now he’s been collaborating as well.
“Some of the guys in the band and I have been working on some things together,” he said. “I’ve also been able to develop some relationships with other writers to work on some projects. It’s all because of the show. People who never would have returned my calls before are talking to me. I talked to my agent three times today. It’s just an exciting time.”
After nearly three months away from his family to do the show, it also took some time to become Dad again.
“People come up to me sometimes and say, ‘you’re a celebrity now’,” he said with a laugh. “I tell them to tell that to my wife (Amy). I’m such a celebrity she made me clean the garage out last weekend.”
Daughter London was born while Dad was away on the show and he’s done some catching up with son Boston as well. As a matter of fact Boston may prove that there’s something in Plymouth DNA.
“Basketball is his thing,” said Denver. “He can say ‘Go I.U.’ really well.”