“King of the Road” singer/songerwriter Roger Miller has been dead for twenty years, but his music lives on at the Roger Miller Museum. Located in his hometown of Erick in Oklahoma, not far from the Texas state border, at Roger Miller Boulevard and Old Route 66, the museum is basically a time capsule of the dude’s life. We can only wish half of our shit survives after we’re gone, but we all know deep down inside most of it will end up in some dumpster or garage sale. Well, that’s not the case for good ol’ Rog…basically everything has been saved. Did I say everything? There is his old Honda Motorcycle (he was riding it when he first met Elvis), old musical instruments and outfits (including his high school FFA jacket and army uniform), school diplomas, early gig posters, photos and videos of musical performances, autographed tickets, the first BIG check from the publishing company, a hand-stitched hanky of Roger’s face, a collection of his vintage albums, handwritten lyrics for King of the Road and a figure of the hobo that inspired his most famous song (even though I personally have a thing for England Swings). If you can get past the jam-packed exhibit you might also learn a few things about Roger’s life, which is expected, I mean this is his museum after all. Like, did you know Sheb “Purple People Eater” Wooley was his brother-in-law? Were you aware the song “Dang Me” was written in four minutes in a hotel room in Phoenix? How about the fact he won a Tony for best score, music and lyrics for “Big River” in 1985? And after all that excitement and information, I dare you not to buy the “Chug-A-Lug” shot glasses that are sold in the gift shop. Actually if you, please some to me. Thanks!
Roger Miller Museum, Oklahoma
