Jason Charles Miller's latest album, Knives In The Dark, was released in September of 2024.Jason Chrles MillerPeople are often many things in their lives. Jason Charles Miller is a musician, songwriter, producer and actor. Hes best known as part of the extended Critical Role family playing Dungeons and Dragons with them as well as hosting Starter Kit during the early Geek & Sundry days.Miller has an extensive list of credits as a voice actor including roles in franchises like Final Fantasy, Elder Scrolls, and Halo. Three songs from his RezoDrone project were featured on the soundtrack of Cyberpunk 2077. Hes appearing at Gary Con XVII from March 20th to March 23rd in Lake Geneva, WI and we spoke about how Dungeons and Dragons had a huge influence on his creative career.My cousin Wesley is the one that not only turned me on to the Ralph Bakshi Lord of the Rings movie when I was visiting him, said Miller. but also Dungeons and Dragons. That same trip that I visited him I was 8 or 9 years old. My first boxed set was the Moldvay boxed set. Basic D&D. The first time we played is was just me and him. I had so much fun creating my character. Then he had so much fun taking advantage of my character immediately. He put me in an opening town and within five minutes I was penniless and naked.Despite this rough start, Miller fell in love with the game and credits it with stoking a love of creating. While there is a great social aspect of D&D a lot of solo fun can be had as well. Sitting down and making character after character can be very inspirational."I grew up in the woods of Virginia," said Miller. I grew up in an area near Washington D.C. but far enough away where we didnt have sidewalks. The closest house that had any kids to play withn was a half a mile away through the woods. I spent a lot of time creating characters and playing them with no one. Then in junior high I met a lot more people who wanted to play.Many folks take some time away from the table as they grow up and take on more responsibility. Adults often come back to D&D later in life, which is why the secondary market for classic materials is so wild. Miller focused on his band Godhead for a while, but came back to the game once he settled in Los Angeles.It was very much spoken about in hushed tones, said Miller. No one wanted to admit that they played it. Fast forward to now, where its the coolest thing ever for people to play.Playing and running D&D has a huge influence on creatives that participate in the game. There are aspects of prepration that inspire novels and TV shows to spring forth from games. Playing at a table also stretches improvisaional muscles and not always sticking with the tried and true.When you play Dungeons and Dragons, especially if youre a DM, youre always trying to come up with something new, said Miller. Youre always trying to come up with many different options available to your players. They could choose anything. They could go anywhere. You want to be prepared for that. That is a great tool for songwriters.