My buddy, Todd Fox and I were driving down Route 66 and stopped in Erick, Oklahoma to see Roger Miller's hometown. While we were standing there looking at the mural, a car pulled up with California plates. A guy got out smiling and started chatting with us. He said he was Wendell, Roger Miller's brother. He was driving from California to somewhere and stopped in to see the mural. We just happened to be there at the same time. Meeting him was a complete accident. He was nice enough to share some stories for a bit on camera. When we stopped recording, he told us a bunch of great Roger Miller stories for another hour or so. Needless to say, that was a wonderful coincidence. I'm still grinning about it a week later.

@sunshine3914

8 ай бұрын

Hombre, I’m grinning for ya! I don’t blame Minnie, if I was given a week to live, I’d beaten a path straight to Roger’s door. Now Wendell will be my bucket list.

@gregorytoddsmith9744

8 ай бұрын

What a great encounter!

@michaelwright7223

8 ай бұрын

No shit!? What a coincidence! Great footage, dude. I loved every second of this.

@roydyer1

8 ай бұрын

Great interview! Sheb Wooley, there's a blast from the past. My grandmother created the Purple People Eater doll for Sheb way back when. My grandfather was a stuntman and they used to do dinner parties together.

@jayjaynella4539

8 ай бұрын

That meeting is so awesome. What else can I say?

Dinner time at the Miller household must have been the best comedy hour never recorded! What a brilliant raconteur, and charming man. The stars were aligned when you two met. Thanks for that!

What a random & fabulous find running into him. He’s witty just like Roger.

@mandymine4963

8 ай бұрын

Right?!

@user-ki2ih4bn2j

8 ай бұрын

Same charm and humor! It's really awesome seeing this...

I was raised listening to King of the Road,Dang Me, England Swings… my mother had a 45rpm RCA Victor that stacked a lot of 45’s. She bought everyone of his records and LP’s as well. She would play Roger Miller and Marty Robbins all night. I learned the lyrics just from repetition of listening to those guy’s.

This just proves that good things happen to good people 😊

Wendell is awesome, what a great, chance meeting. His voice sounds..at least the same as far as timbre and pitch as his brother. What a hoot!! If you see this Wendell, it was great to see you on Otis's channel, really enjoyed that

Talks just like his brother…what a great moment to have, with or without the camera being along

What a wonderful mishap! Wendell Miller is every bit as witty as his brother, Roger was! It's great that you just happened to be in the same place at the same time!

What a nice man. So fortunate you ran into him. Would have loved to have heard what he had to say after the camera was put away.😊

Mr. Gibbs, thank you for honoring fellow musicians...your kindness and authenticity lets people share their heart...

I can see (and hear) the resemblance and sense of humor. Seems like a great guy and I thought Roger was an only child!

Wow, talk about right time, right place.

What a lovely guy. Great interview Otis

Amazing. Always take the time to talk to the “old timers” So much knowledge to share

😊 wow! That's the best Roger Miller imitation I have ever heard. Sounds just like him. How does he do it?

@SusanButcher-pr2ft

8 ай бұрын

😂

America's poet, that's who Roger Miller is to me. His songs ran the gamut from tragic to the absurd, his sense of humor was a wonder to behold. He made you feel GOOD! He certainly stays with me all of these decades later from when I was struggling to grow up in a very uncertain world, one of profound tragedy and loss that the 1960s were. Thanks, Otis, and Wendell, if you happen to read this, it's good to know you're out there. Much respect to you. You're the salt of the Earth.

Thank you, Otis. Roger' Miller's brother is such a nice man, and also this interview affirms that Roger's accent and way of talking was not a put on. They sound the same. I've been a fan of Roger Miller since "Dang Me" came out, and knew a little of his history as I had watched a documentary about him, but I learned so much more in this interview.

What a nice guy and another interesting interview. I'm in my 60's and love listening to Roger Miller since and have since a was a young kid. Dean Miller Roger's son is a talented entertainer as well for anyone who hasn't checked him out give him a listen.

@mandymine4963

8 ай бұрын

Love Dean Miller!

I love it! "You know, I taught everything I knew to Kenny Vaughan about the guitar, which didn't take very long. He learned the rest on his own. That guy can pick the guitar."

omg, this is amazing! ❤ don't take any wooden nickels! thanks so much Otis for being you!

Wonderful, man. Thanks for sharing your serendipity. Nothing like being at the right place at the right time.

Roger Miller could tell a story. Excellent share Otis, thanks.

What are the odds??? How cool that you happened to meet him and were able to interview him and get it out here. Fantastic. I was born into a very musical family and was a music fan practically from the day I was born in Sept 1960. By the end of 1964 I was a huge music fan - The Beatles had come along and I had started listening to what my older siblings and dad listened to on the radio and record player. I started having favorite songs at some point in early 64, and one of the first songs I absolutely loved that wasn't by The Beatles was 'King Of The Road'. There was just something about the feel of that song that did something to me. I can remember hearing that, 'Eight Days A Week' and 'This Diamond Ring' a lot in early 65, three of my huge favorites back then. I just loved Roger's voice. When I hear 'King Of The Road' I feel like I'm sitting with my dad back in our dinette in Detroit, listening to that old, dark green RCA radio.

Definitely hear the resemblance to Roger's voice.

This is wonderful, Otis. Hanford ,CA is also the hometown of Journey vocalist, Steve Perry. Played the county fair there with Steve Holy and didn't tell the rest of the band/crew that the water there has a high sulfur content and smells like rotten eggs. Took them to a Mexican restaurant across from our hotel and watched as they all raised their glasses of water to drink and then recoil in horror at the pungent smell. 🤣

@NoviJimB

8 ай бұрын

Nothing to do with Roger or Steve Perry, but... We were camping one time back when I was 17 or so. Camping meant going to a remote spot and sitting around a campfire drinking beer and smoking a little something and sleeping under the stars - this would have been maybe 1977 or so. One of the guys that ended up there, Steve, was on crutches, the old wooden kind. We ran out of firewood at some point and Steve decided that he'd burn his crutches to keep the fire going. A real trooper! I had driven some of us there and the next morning Steve needed a ride home. I drove him back to his parents house, along with a good friend of mine. We were dying of thirst, being dehydrated from drinking the night before and having no food or water with us. It was a hot summer day, and Steve invited us in for some lemonade. Needless to say we were ecstatic to get something cold to drink. Turned out it tasted like rotten eggs! They had well water and did nothing to filter it or anything. I guess they were used to it, but for us other two guys that was such a huge letdown. The worst drink I've ever had. I don't think we let on how bad we thought it was, we didn't want to seem unappreciative. I think we waited until we'd left and got back in the car that we talked about how horrid it was. Oh, the good old days.

Right place at the right time. Pretty cool interview, Otis. Destiny was with you on that day!

Roger miller Texas/ Oklahoma Humor and story telling like no others! I could listen to his brother for hours.

What a great interview, Otis. I always liked Roger Miller. My wife and I were fortunate to attend a Roger Miller tribute in Nashville some years back ❤

What are the chances? Otis, this could be the best interview you've ever done! Clearly he has no interest in who is 'cool' or what even cool is and I bet if you interview him more you would discover stories no one had ever put to film or tape. What an absolute gem! THANK YOU!!!

Sounds like Roger too! Gotta love it.

Very, very nice. Wendell is genuine. Nice guy and easy yo talk with. “Don’t take any wooden nickels.” My dad used that saying a lot.

This is the best video you have ever done 👍❤

@mandymine4963

8 ай бұрын

Well, among the best anyway-there have been so many good'ns

That was too cool; was the museum open when you were there? It was shut down last time we were through and I think they were looking for someone to run it. My dad knew Roger Miller when they were in high school and said the verse in "Chug a-Lug" was loosely based on a true story Roger overheard him telling. If you haven't seen them, consider looking up the old black and white videos of Roger on Ralph Emery's morning show. Trippy, plus some great picking from Thumbs Carllile.

@thomaslemon3971

8 ай бұрын

It closed permanently due to funding issues 😔

@Kan-o-tex

8 ай бұрын

Sad. First Cal's Cafe, now the Roger Miller Museum. I wonder if they applied for a grant; I know there's at least one substantial annual grant given out for upkeep/maintenance of Route 66 landmarks.. @@thomaslemon3971

Roger Miller Andy Williams in the summer time on KZread I could watch over and over That Mural is outstanding.

Otis, I have to ssy, you continuously amaze me and 1,000’s of others I’m sure. Your laugh is contagious!! Keep it up!! Much love ( I heard a fellow use that phrase, thought it to be nice)

Amazing. My Dad loved Roger Miller and had him on all the time at home when I was a kid. Thanks Otis as usual ❤

What a great mural, done by a very talented artist.

Life's an amazing journey...great stuff Otis. Thanks brother.

What an incredible, wonderful coincidence. It's apparent a sense of humor must run in that family. Thanks Otis

Great Otis. What a great channel. So glad to have discovered it a couple years ago. 🎶👍

How wonderful and lucky. Pretty cool. Thanks Otis.

You can hear Roger Miller in his brother's voice (and a bit of that quick wit too). Interesting vid.

Dang Otis….. you guys had a better chance of playing pick up sticks with your butt cheeks.. than driving through Erick Oklahoma, and stopping at the exact same time Roger Miller’s brother Wendall did…. But you did it brother!! Some things were just meant to be…… I could listen to Wendall’s stories all day long…. And I bet he could oblige… he came from an era in time where people entertained themselves with conversation… they were great communicators… it reminds of my old grandpa, he would have been 123 this year… born in 1900… and came from that part of Oklahoma…. Great video my friend..

Thank you again Otis for your rambling with included interviews. You are a polymath of attributes. ☮

This makes my YEAR! I've been to Erick and the corner of Sheb Woolley Blvd and Roger Miller Blvd

First song I ever learned was: Roger Miller's King of the Road. I sang it so many time on our Opry Show. As a 14 year old, I had a friend who was 16 that lived in a trailer park. He and I was listening to King of the Road on the radio and I asked my friend what he was going to do after he graduated from High School? He said he was going to be a Hobo.

Great interview!

This makes me incredibly happy.

This is off the charts fab.

Miss the festival they used to throw down there. Bought the three disc Genius of Roger Miller set and haven’t been the same since. Memorized every word and nearly every lick.

A good way to remember his brother hope we all be remembered this way his brother was present he knew don’t take wooden nickel lesson to all do good things

Classic! I imagine he has a few more to tell…. Thanks Otis!

When Roger's museum was in operation it was really nice.

Loved your brother and now you too ; thanks so much 😇 from old New Orleans 😎

I hope the artist of that mural hears these words.

I was thinking about Roger and Velvet Thunder and 2nd Ave. just this morning and so it all clicks right in there. Roger stories are legendary and hilarious.

Enjoyed the video . Nice to hear you and rod chuckle at the end .

I loved everything Roger did 👍 My 6th grade talent show I sang "King of the Road". That was about a hunerd year ago 🤣🤣

Same spirit as Roger.......Great tape...Thanks for this.

So cool! You are charmed..and Wendall is charming.

How cool is this 🖐😎👍

Otis! Right place right time. Love it.

Fantastic interview. Thanks 🇺🇸🍀🇺🇸

Love Roger singing

That is just beautiful.. Thank you so much for sharing.. 👍

His Voice sounds just like Rogers

I really enjoyed that interview one of my all time favorites!!

Love Oklahoma people, my uncle lived there his whole life. Fun interview!

Hell of a fiddle player!Wendell is a fine gentleman!!!!!!!!

oh my stars this was just great .thank you Mr.Otis

My grandparents and family live in El Reno, OK. Route 66 runs right through it.

Great post. Absolutely top shelf stuff. Roger Miller has always in my opinion been one of the most interesting characters of my lifetime. We lost him way too soon but great stories.

You're right. He's awesome!

Very cool- most likely a once in a lifetime interview.

Great stories loved it. Thanks for posting.

Thank you!

Fella is crowding 90. Awesome!

Way cool !!! Enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.

amazing interview, thanks Otis. What a neat guy!

Great stuff, thanks Otis!

Sooo cool! Just a good ol boy! Gonna see Marty and the Fabulous Superlatives on Friday at The Uptown Theater in Napa.

This was awesome! Thank you.

Thanks for this!

I knew one of Roger's daughters that grew up in San Antonio, Tx.

hoot hooot baltimore! so lad im from and dont live there lol thanks as ever brother otis - SJOCR viva santa fe nueva mexico! esp in them daysze

Cool,cool, one of my faves r.m,you do a great job!! Keep it up,ty

What a great interview 🎶🎶🎶❤️

When our kids were younger our family watched Robin Hood which was an animated movie written by Roger Miller. Roger wrote and sang the songs in the movie. It was hugely entertaining and remains my favorite story of Robin Hood. Roger's writing was brilliant and the songs sang by him made the story very memorable. I still smile to myself when I think of this film. If you have children I'm sure they would enjoy it too.

King of the Road⚡️

Well dang me, it’s the Uncle of the Road

Hanford,ca my dad used to take me go cart racing there.

Of all the cool things you've posted, this may be the coolest!

Fantastic

The first album I ever bought with my own money is "The Return Of Roger Miller". I still have it, and I'm pushing 70.

Man, that's so cool. Talk about kismet, wow.

Otis. You're golden

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That was great

Very cool!

this one's a treat