Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Celebrates Opening Of Roger Miller Exhibit
Museum Board Chair Jody Williams, Roger’s wife Mary Miller and Museum CEO Kyle Young. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the life and career of the late Country Music Hall of Fame member Roger Miller at the opening of its newest exhibit, “Roger Miller: Wit, Wisdom, and Wonder,” last night (Nov. 5).
The evening featured Grammy-winning artist Dwight Yoakam performing Miller’s songs “Dang Me” and “Invitation to the Blues,” and Yoakam’s own “It Only Hurts Me When I Cry,” which he penned with Miller.
The exhibit follows the story of Miller, whose multi talents earned him a flood of accolades and widespread affection from the public, and includes a short film produced by the museum and narrated by Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart. Visitors will see clothing, awards, handwritten notes, song manuscripts, instruments, Miller’s motorcycle and rare footage of Miller’s TV appearances and performances. An illustrated and in-depth exhibit catalog supplements the gallery presentation, featuring historical photos and artifacts from the exhibit and a foreword by Yoakam and is available to purchase through the Museum Store.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum will hold a panel discussion tomorrow (Nov. 7), featuring the late musician’s wife, Mary Miller, a former member of Kenny Rogers’ group the First Edition; Country Music Hall of Fame member and Miller’s close friend Bill Anderson, who first met Miller in the 1950s when both were struggling songwriters; and Randy Hart, Miller’s musical director/ bandleader who currently serves as staff pianist and assistant music director at the Grand Ole Opry.
A Songwriter Session with Miller’s son Dean Miller will also take place on Feb. 6. Other public programs and arts and crafts programming for families will be held throughout the life of the exhibit.
