Episode Details

In this episode, we explore the unclassifiable career of Roger Miller, the "Wild Child" of country music known for his honky-tonk novelty songs and unique scat singing style. We trace his journey from a childhood spent picking cotton in rural Oklahoma to his early days in Nashville, where he worked as a bellhop and played fiddle for Minnie Pearl. Listeners will learn the stories behind his biggest hits, including "Dang Me"—which Miller wrote in just four minutes—and the transatlantic smash "King of the Road," inspired by a sign for trailer rentals and a hobo he met at an airport.

Beyond his chart-topping success in the 1960s, we discuss his creative evolution, from voicing the rooster Allan-a-Dale in Disney’s Robin Hood to writing the Tony Award-winning score for the Broadway musical Big River. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of this 11-time Grammy winner whose "nonsense" lyrics and sophisticated songcraft made him a genius of American music.