Wes Miller

CHERRY TWP — A Brad Paisley tour truck parked on the side of Route 308 north of Butler last week had motorists doing double takes.

Nope. He's not in town.

But Wes Miller is. Who?

He's one of the unseen and unappreciated workers who keeps the country singer/songwriter's tour moving.

The 38-year-old Miller of Butler Township is a Brad Paisley roadie and he was back home for a brief break during the artist's Weekend Warrior World Tour.

“A friend who works (at Campbell Bus Company in Cherry Township),” Miller said, “gave me permission to park the truck there.”

And it's hard to miss.

The rig's trailer is colorfully decorated with Paisley's image and name. It's also adorned with the singer's website address and the emblem for Band Against Cancer, a cancer awareness initiative.

“The brains to the whole show is in my trailer,” Miller said. He declined, however, to disclose the contents.

Miller trucks in equipment for every one of Paisley's shows and events. Last year there were about 40 concerts. Ditto this year.

He recently drove home to Butler County following the tour's southern swing. He had a little time to spend with his wife before hitting the road again in time for Paisley's next concert, which was Thursday in Erie.

“I get home twice a year for (a short time),” Miller said.

From Erie, there are six more stops on the Weekend Warrior World Tour — Louisville, Ky.; Moline, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Lincoln, Neb.

Miller, in his roadie role, works for Xtreme Transportation, the largest truck transportation provider to the entertainment industry.

He's been doing what he does for four years. But he's been driving trucks since he was 20 or so.

This is his first year with Paisley.

Once Miller reaches his tour destination, it takes about two hours to unload the equipment from the Peterbilt.

He doesn't stick around for the concerts.

“My off time, I go to sleep,” he said. “Pretty much, it's just a job. The fascination for me was gone two or three years ago.”

So what's Brad Paisley like?

“He's a helluva guy,” Miller said. “He treats us well and he's down to Earth.”

And the superstar manages to make the roadie feel like his equal — with one main exception: “He makes a lot more money than me.”