Roger Miller (January 2, 1936 – October 25, 1992) was an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor …..who was widely known for his honky-tonk-influenced novelty songs….along with his chart-topping country and pop hits “King of the Road”, “Dang Me” and “England Swings”….all of which were conceived from the mid-1960’s Nashville sound era.
After growing up in Oklahoma and serving in the United States Army…..Miller began his musical career as a songwriter in the late 1950’s….while writing such hits as “Billy Bayou” and “Home” for Jim Reeves…. along with “Invitation to the Blues” for Ray Price…..and that’s when he began his own recording career…. as he reached the high point of his fame in the mid-1960’s….while continuing to record and tour into the 1990’s. Miller’s final top 20 country hit “Old Friends” was with Willie Nelson in 1982. He also wrote and performed several of the songs for the 1973 Disney animated film Robin Hood….and later in his life, he wrote the music and lyrics for the 1985 Tony-award-winning Broadway musical Big River….in which he acted.
Roger Miller died from lung cancer in 1992….and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame three years later….as his songs continued to be recorded by other singers….with covers of “Tall, Tall Trees” by Alan Jackson….and “Husbands and Wives” by Brooks & Dunn….wherein both reached the # 1 spot on country charts in the 1990’s. The Roger Miller Museum in his home town of Erick, Oklahoma, was a tribute to Miller.
As seen in this video herewith…..Roger Miller performs an old Bob Wills Texas swing number by the name of “I Can’t Go Home This Way”…..which is a wonderful fiddle tune…..as played in 1983 on Austin City Limits.
