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Roger Miller's winding road to No. 1 country song

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Today's Morning Edition music is from Roger Miller with his song about the life of a hobo, "King of the Road."

It was the No. 1 song on the Billboard country chart 50 years ago Thursday.

His music career had an interesting start. When Miller was 17 he stole a guitar, but turned himself in the next day. To avoid jail, he joined the Army and was sent to Korea.

That's where he met county star Faron Young, who invited Miller to join his band.

After the Army, he went to Nashville, Tenn. Miller's first job there was as a singing bellhop.

His says this song was inspired by a sign he saw advertising "trailers for sale or rent."