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| | '''Roger Dean Miller''', born in | | '''Roger Dean Miller''', born in |
| − | Fort W | + | Fort Worth, [[Texas]], during the [[depression]], a harsh beginning. Fatherless and |
| | + | separated from his mother and two older brothers at the age |
| | + | of one, it would be a difficult childhood. |
| | + | |
| | + | Living with relatives in [[Oklahoma]], Roger’s escape from a lonely |
| | + | and unhappy childhood came from listening to the Grand Ole Opry |
| | + | on the [[radio]], learning to play a [[guitar]] and cultivating a talent for |
| | + | [[song]]writing. Joining the army at 17 years of age, after serving in |
| | + | [[Korea]] he was discharged and headed straight to [[Nashville]] in |
| | + | search of a career in music. |
| | + | |
| | + | Taking a job as a hotel bellhop, the multi talented Roger Miller |
| | + | began to open doors that would lead to his becoming a renowned |
| | + | songwriter and a chart topping singer with scores of gold |
| | + | records, a Tony and numerous [[Grammy awards]] to his credit. |
| | + | |
| | + | As a songwriter, Roger wrote hits for dozens of recording artists |
| | + | including, Ernest Tubb, Faron Young, Jim Reeves, Ray Price |
| | + | and Andy Williams. |
| | + | |
| | + | Signing a recording contract with RCA Victor in 1960, Roger had |
| | + | limited success with three singles. His luck would change when |
| | + | Nashville’s Mercury Records head, Shelby Singleton, would have |
| | + | Roger sign with the company’s new Smash label. |
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| | + | Written by Roger, “Dang Me” was a country and pop chart |
| | + | topper in 1964. Two more of his creations, “Chug-A-Lug” and |
| | + | “Do-Wacka-Do” repeated his success in the same year. |
| | + | In 1965 Roger Miller hit with his multi-million seller, |
| | + | “King of the Road” and followed with “Engine, Engine #9” , |
| | + | “One Dyin’ And A Buryin”, “Kansas City Star” and “England Swings”. |
| | + | |
| | + | Among other Roger Miller hits, “Husbands and Wives”, “Walkin” In |
| | + | The Sunshine”, “Little Green Apples” and “Me and Bobby McGee”. |
| | + | |
| | + | In addition to eleven Grammy Awards, Roger also won |
| | + | Broadway’s prestigious Tony Award for writing the score |
| | + | of the musical “Big River”. |
| | + | |
| | + | In 1973 he was voted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. |
| | + | The Academy of Country Music, presented him with the Pioneer |
| | + | Award in 1988. Roger Miller was inducted into the Country Music |
| | + | Hall of Fame in 1995. |
| | + | |
| | + | A lifetime [[cigarette]] smoker, Roger died of [[lung]] and throat |
| | + | [[cancer]] on October 25, 1992. He was 56 years of age. |
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| | + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Roger}} |
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| | + | [[Category:Musicians]] |