Released to acclaim from Fresh Air, Rolling Stone, NPR Music and more on Friday, ‘King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller’ (BMG) has “no missteps” (American Songwriter). Across 36 songs from 40+ artists, the double-album is an exhaustive, star-studded affair, the long overdue affirmation of Miller’s immortal eccentricities and the often-overlooked breadth that inspired the dozens of successors popping up on this track list.
On NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday, tribute co-producer, contributor, and devoted son Dean Miller discussed the many “I didn’t know thats” the project re-appreciates, from 11 Grammys and 7 Tonys to the outlandish way Roger Miller could spawn hit songs from Kodak ads on airplanes.
Listen to the piece here…
Earlier over the weekend, the Grand Ole Opry also celebrated the album’s release with their own stacked bill of Dean, Emmylou Harris, Flatt Lonesome, Jamey Johnson, and others appearing on ‘King of the Road’ alongside Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Ringo Starr, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Eric Church, John Goodman, Cake, and so many more.
Praise for ‘King of the Road’…
“Tremendously entertaining and star-packed” – Rolling Stone Country“You really hear the essence of Roger Miller…in addition to the humor, there are a lot of really beautiful moments” – NPR Music
“A beautifully assembled, sprawling, eclectic collection…there are no missteps here” – American Songwriter
“Just enough first-rate performances to make it worthwhile” – Fresh Air
“The ideal showcase” – No Depression
“Hugely enjoyable and well-nigh irresistible” – Cowboys & Indians
“King Of The Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller” Track List:
Disc One
1. Greatest Songwriter (Banter)
2. Chug-a-Lug – Asleep at the Wheel ft. Huey Lewis
3. Dang Me – Brad Paisley
4. Leavin’s Not the Only Way to Go – The Stellas ft. Lennon and Maisy
5. Kansas City Star – Kacey Musgraves
6. World So Full of Love – Rodney Crowell
7. Old Friends (Banter)
8. Old Friends – Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard
9. Lock Stock and Teardrops – Mandy Barnett
10. You Oughta Be Here With Me – Alison Krauss ft. The Cox Family
11. The Crossing – Ronnie Dunn, The Blind Boys of Alabama
12. In the Summertime – The Earls of Leicester ft. Shawn Camp
13. Fiddle (Banter)
14. England Swings – Lyle Lovett
15. You Can’t Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd – Various Artists
16. Half a Mind – Loretta Lynn
17. Invitation to the Blues – Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter
18. It Only Hurts Me When I Cry (Live) – Dwight Yoakam
Disc Two
1. Mouth Noises (Banter)
2. Oo De Lally – Eric Church
3. Engine, Engine #9 – Emerson Hart ft. Jon Randall
4. When Two Worlds Collide – Flatt Lonesome
5. Reincarnation – Cake
6. You Can’t Do Me This Way and Get By With It – Dean Miller ft. The McCrary Sisters
7. Chicken S#$! (Banter)
8. Nothing Can Stop Me – Toad the Wet Sprocket
9. Husbands and Wives – Jamey Johnson ft. Emmylou Harris
10. I’ll Pickup My Heart and Go Home – Lily Meola
11. I Believe in the Sunshine – Daphne and the Mystery Machines
12. Guv’ment – John Goodman
13. Old Songwriters Never Die (Banter)