Roger Miller Museum - Old Route 66

In the last half century, recorded music has become the language of the universe with artists from all over the world receiving acclaim. Roger Miller’s illustrious career as an entertainer and songwriter spanned more than three decades. His accomplishments included many memorable #1 hit songs, numerous Grammy Awards, a television series, a Tony Award for writing the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical “Big River” and countless hours of live performances and radio play. Recently, his song “King of the Road” was named as one of the “one hundred most important songs of the 20th Century” by National Public Radio. From his humble upbringing in Erick, Oklahoma, to the entertainment capitals of Nashville, Los Angeles, New York and around the world, he is remembered as an innovator who opened new doors and forever changed the face of country music.Another honor has recently been bestowed upon the late-great “King of the Road”. The Hit Parade Hall of Fame (where all Pop, Country, and R&B recording artists are honored) has nominated Roger Miller as an inductee for 2007. Each year voting begins for a new group of nominees from a 30 year period. Each nominee is required to have at least two top ten single hits and/or album of any genre. Roger Miller certainly meets and surpasses that criteria. To view the 2007 nominees and vote, go to www.hitparadehalloffame.com, and click on “2007 nominees here”. That will take you to the page with all the 2007 nominees, and you can scroll down to “Roger Miller”, click on his name and vote.

VOTE TODAY! We here at the Roger Miller Museum would love to see this honor added to the list of the many achievements of Roger Miller and we know of no other performer who deserves this award more! Help us keep Roger’s music and memory alive and going strong!

VOTE * VOTE * VOTE * VOTE

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
STILL UNDERWAY!

The Museum Board would like to extend a big “THANK YOU” to all you good folks who have sent in your membership and/or renewal for 2008. The membership fees help us in our day to day operation of the museum. We have a big building to heat and cool, insurance premiums to pay, as well as the other expenses required to operate a museum. Also we are very fortunate to be able to hire a full-time employee. We depend on gift shop sales, membership fees, donations, memorials, and proceeds from our fund raisers to be able to keep up our wonderful facility. We work hard to keep things running smoothly, but realize we would not be able to continue without the support we receive from all of you!
If you have not yet sent in your membership click here to renew securely online. You will receive a membership card that entitles you to free admission to the museum, plus a discount on all gift shop merchandise purchased either in our shop or online.
JOIN TODAY!

“DANG GOOD OPRY”

The Museum Board, along with the Erick/Texola Alumni Association, is currently making plans for our next fundraiser, the “Dang Good Opry” (our version of the “Grand Ole Opry). Bubba, Grandpa and the rest of the Yee-Haw Players will have the audience rolling in the aisles with their corny one-liners, skits, and silly songs. Local singers and musicians will entertain and wow everyone with their enormous talent! The program will be presented during the Alumni Celebration, slated for Memorial Day Week-End. We invite all alumni to join us for a fun time, and to stop by the museum and check us out!

“It’s one thing to have talent. It’s another to figure out how to use it!”
- ROGER MILLER

The 5th Annual Roger Miller Festival is now a fond memory. We were blessed with a clear, crisp, near perfect Autumn day (we don’t get many of those in Oklahoma)! We began the festival bright and early with the 5K King of the Road Race. This new event was well received, with approximately 30 children entering, and approximately 25 adults, ranging in ages 13 to 70+. Also new to this year’s festival was the royalty contest. We had 26 boys and girls, ages 0-6, enter the contest. Winners were King of the Road, Cooper Brittain, age 4; Queen of the Road, Cody Greer, age 5; Prince of the Road, Ransom Greer, age 11 months; and Princess of the Road, Chelsea Beirwirth, age 3. Each winner was awarded a $50.00 savings bonds.
The King of the Road All-Wheels Show and Poker Run was a huge success. Trophies were awarded to winners in several categories. The lucky winner of the 4-wheeler, given away by the Erick Chamber of Commerce, was David Merrifield of Sayre, Oklahoma.
The entertainment during the day was top-notch and enjoyed by all festival goers. The arts & crafts and food vendors reported good sales. The museum had a full house all day long, with many of our visitors enjoying a piece of pie and coffee while watching Roger Miller video footage.
The Erick Chamber of Commerce and the Roger Miller Museum Board would like to say a big “THANK YOU” to all who helped make this year’s festival a success. It takes a lot of hard work, and many, many months of planning to pull off an event such as this and we couldn’t do it without lots of outside help. Our festival is always the 4th Saturday in October, so mark your calendar now and make plans to attend next year’s festival. You’ll have a “DANG GOOD” time!Festival Concert – Another Sell-Out!Those lucky enough to have purchased their concert tickets ahead of time, enjoyed a night of music and laughter. In celebration of Oklahoma’s Centennial Celebration, the concert got underway with the crowd singing “Oklahoma!”. Then Chester Cline, Billy Whitfield and Luther Waggoner took the stage. Chester and Billy played in a band with Roger Miller back in the early 50’s and had many enjoyable stories to relate to the audience. At intermission, the drawing was held for the 40” TV. The winner, James Williams of Elk City, was in the audience! Congratulations James.
Micheal Smotherman kicked off the second half singing and playing music he has written for various artists. To the delight of the audience, he and Mary Miller, widow of Roger Miller, sang “Husbands and Wives”. The concert concluded with Dean Miller again wowing the audience with his great talent and humor. Dean sang several of his dad’s songs along with songs he had written and recorded. The concert was a great ending to a great day.