Dave “Biscuit” Miller’s blues have little to do with misery and hard times.

With an onstage presence that’s been described as “sunshine,” Miller punctuates performances by playing bass guitar behind his back and whipping the instrument around his neck.

“I try to create a party atmosphere, because I like to have fun,” said Miller, leader of Biscuit Miller and the Mix.

The Chicago native sees a connecting thread among towering Windy City talents Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor and Lonnie Brooks.

“They’re all entertainers,” said Miller, whose resume includes a 10-year stint playing in Brooks’ band.

Fortysomething Miller — who was tagged with his nickname after eating a pan of biscuits as a youngster — says blues fans are wise to study the genre’s history.

“I always tell people, ’Don’t start at Stevie Ray Vaughan.’ ‘Go where Stevie learned. Go back a little farther.’ "

Old-school musician Rufus Thomas steered Miller toward the blues.

The bass player lived briefly in Clarksdale, Miss., the storied hometown of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

Miller studied carpentry and made one guest appearance as a sideman for Thomas, who recorded for Sun Records in the early 1950s.

“He said, ‘After school, you should go back to Chicago. You came from the city where it’s all at,’ " Miller said.

After establishing himself as a charismatic part of Lonnie Brooks’ road show, Miller issued his debut solo album, “Come Together,” in 2002. Two years later, he moved to Indianapolis to split the distance between work in Chicago and Nashville, Tenn.

Touring as a member of Canadian blues-rock guitarist and singer Anthony Gomes’ band kept Miller on the go 250 dates a year, but his schedule is less hectic with the Mix as his sole musical pursuit.

Miller met girlfriend Laura Stark here, and his band boasts two Hoosier guitarists: Paxton Norris of Cicero and Tyler Mac of Anderson.

With hopes of releasing the follow-up to “Come Together” before the end of 2009, Miller is recording in Chicago and playing 13 dates in the Southeast in August.

“I play some clubs in the Midwest, but I do well in Florida because it’s such a tourist spot,” he said.