Published: December 03, 2005 08:28 pm      

An Oklahoma town to hoot about

Erick was homespun home of Roger Miller

EDMOND — Erick is just 7 miles from Texas and is where the King of the Road meets the Mother Road. The late country singer Roger Miller grew up on his Uncle Elmer’s farm near Erick and never forgot his humble beginnings.

And Erick hasn’t forgotten Miller, either. The Roger Miller Museum stands at the corner of Roger Miller Boulevard (old Route 66) and Sheb Wooley Avenue. The 1929 brick building contains photos, album covers, costumes and even Miller’s old motorcycle — the one he was riding around Hollywood when Elvis Presley pulled up in his limo to ask for his autograph. Plan to spend an hour and watch the video biography that plays in the community room.

Miller, whose dad died when he was about a year old, was born in Texas. After his father’s death, his uncle and aunt offered to take care of the little boy while his mom got back on her feet. It turned out to be a permanent arrangement.

Miller was a sad and lonely child. One of the cowhands who worked with his uncle let Miller follow him around, even sharing with him his dreams of going to Hollywood and becoming a star.

That cowhand was Sheb Wooley, who did achieve his goal playing in the movie “High Noon” and on the TV series “Rawhide” — to say nothing of his 1958 megahit “Flying Purple People-Eater.” Wooley taught Miller his first guitar chords.

When he was 17, Miller stole a guitar to help with his song writing. His conscience bothered him and he turned himself in the next day. He was given the choice of jail or the Army. He used to say he got his education in Korea, Clash of ’52.

In the Army, he joined a country and western band and, after he was discharged, he headed for Nashville. There’s a lot more to his story and the Roger Miller Museum is just the place to find out about him. In his short career, Miller made multiple gold records, won 11 Grammies and a Tony for the musical “Big River.” He died of cancer at age 56 and was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. There is a small admission charge. Admission is free during the annual Roger Miller Festival set for Oct. 28.

If you’re into cute and country, you’ll find a shopping bonanza just a few blocks from the museum at Chicken Scratch & Other Whimsies. Jill Stufflebean can take anything and turn it into something.

Her decorated suitcases are works of art — it’ll make you sorry you sold all your old luggage in a garage sale. She’s turned a little craftsman-style house into a wonderland of antiques, primitives, jewelry, cowboy décor and classy junque.

In a back room you’ll find families of dolls — long-legged black angels, button-eyed babies and home-made Raggedy Annies. The whole family contributes to the inventory. Her dad does metalwork, her mom sews, Jill paints and sews and her husband does woodworking.

Her shop is at 322 S. Oak St. She keeps regular business hours, but if the shop is closed, just ring the bell. Jill lives next door and she’ll run right over. It wouldn’t hurt to call ahead to (580) 526-3159.

What would a road trip be without sampling local cuisine? Longtime travelers on Interstate 40 miss Cal’s with his legendary cinnamon rolls but Nell Jane Tennery is building her own reputation for home cooking. She’s on the northeast corner of I-40 and the Erick exit — yep, Cal’s old restaurant. The Rafter T is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The outside is decorated with old pots, pans and utensils. Inside, the walls look like the façades of an Old West town. There’s lots to look at while you’re waiting for your food. And there’s a lot to choose from — steak, chicken fried steak, roast beef, calf fries, salads, burgers — most anything you want. Just be sure to save room for dessert. Coconut and buttermilk pies are the biggest sellers with cobbler coming close behind.

Thousands of cars zip across western Oklahoma on Interstate 40. Next time you’re one of them, make a detour off the road and check out Erick. And don’t forget to visit the King of the Road.