Miller Backs Wild Cards for 4th Year

The Wild Cards, an Orange County band specializing in Latin- and blues-inflected roots rock, will get promotional backing for a fourth year from Miller brewers.

The “Miller Genuine Draft Band Network” is in its 10th year of sponsoring bands. It subsidizes some equipment purchases and provides publicity when the bands go on tour.

The Wild Cards band is one of 26 groups in the network. The other Southern California bands listed are the Bonedaddys, Monkey Meet and the Paladins.

The Wild Cards band is scheduled to play in Milwaukee this weekend at a gathering of Miller-sponsored bands, then will begin a round of winter and spring touring.

Meanwhile, a shake-up at the Wild Cards’ label, Chameleon, has left the band’s almost-completed second album “on hold,” according to manager Brian Condliffe.

Chameleon announced late last year that it was laying off staff members and moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to New York. At the time, the label announced no changes in its roster of acts.

“No one knows exactly what the future of Chameleon is,” Condliffe said. “I don’t know what’s happening. I wish I did.”

Clint Black, Merle Haggard and Carlene Carter will play a country music triple bill March 16 at 8 p.m. at Irvine Meadows. Tickets will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Information: (714) 740-2000.