Ain't Got No Cigarettes is Roger Miller's extraordinary life as told in taped interviews by those that knew him best: more than sixty well-known musicians and entertainers including Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. A man who influenced some of the entertainment industry's biggest stars, Roger Miller was respected and loved by his peers. However, with the genius came a dark side. In the 1960s and 1970s he was known for walking off stage halfway through a show, getting into fights and going days without sleep. He struggled with depression and had a serious addiction to drugs which cost him two marriages. Miller died at the age of 56 in 1992.
"No period after E or the show is cancelled!" barks Kitsalano, Lyle E Style's manager since the early 90s and then slams down the phone. He shoves an aged, half-smoked, unlit Cohiba cigar back in his mouth and mumbles "The kid's gonna be big! Not huge, but big."
I left Kitsalano's office to meet with the relatively unknown singer, songwriter, author and actor to ask him how it all started. "I took music lessons since I was a kid but never played for anyone until 1986 when my parents sent me to a minor seminary. To raise money for the school, we did concerts across North America. I played guitar and loved playing to a live audience so I decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry instead of the priesthood."
The reality of making a successful career doing what he loved came from a chance encounter in Branson, Missouri with legendary songwriter Bill Dees (Oh, Pretty Woman, It's Over) which led to a writing partnership and ongoing friendship. Dees comments, "Lyle is the first artist that I have written with since Roy Orbison. His determination, respect of his predecessors and attention to detail express what is needed to succeed as a singer/songwriter."
Style demonstrates that respect to his predecessors in the book he wrote, Ain't Got No Cigarettes: Memories of Music Legend Roger Miller. Style's book, the first one ever written on "The King of the Road" has been receiving impressive reviews and attention worldwide. The New York Times noted the dual nature of Style's literary contribution: On the surface, it's a book about Roger Miller, "but through a quirk of deliberate or accidental genius, what Style has actually assembled is a living document of country music in its hootin', hollerin' outlaw heyday..."
The book is a collection of absorbing stories from Roger's close friends and peers including Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare, Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam and over ninety more. Also included are some of the last interviews ever given by artists like Buck Owens, Mickey Newbury and Waylon Jennings. Style even managed to get country superstar Toby Keith to write the foreword. When asked, "Why Roger Miller?" Style responded, "Roger Miller is one of the most talented and intriguing people in the history of entertainment. After becoming a huge fan of his, I wanted to know more about the man behind the music. Unfortunately, no book had ever been written about him, so I decided to write one myself." Undoubtedly, this Canadian has captured and preserved an important piece of Americana history.
Style is currently promoting the release of his new CD, Cutting Room Floor, an innovative project where he has chosen to pay tribute to some of the artists who have inspired him to contribute to the music industry. Style explains, "I always wondered if any of my late heroes had any cool songs that weren't recorded because of their untimely passing or because the songs were too outlaw or dark. As fate would have it, they did. For the new CD, I recorded my versions of unreleased songs written by Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Roger Miller, along with nine originals and a cover of the track that arguably started the outlaw movement, 'Put Another Log On The Fire'. After a lot of research, I found quite a few unreleased songs by these legends. These tracks are the one's that really hit me as a fan. I'm really proud and blessed to be the first to release these gems."
The CD is a co-production release with Electric Recordings and Absurd Machine Records. Style explains, "I was looking for the right label to do this project with for some time now. A while back, I was working on a film at a new production studio called Absurd Machine Studios. It turns out it was located in the exact building my Dad worked at some forty years ago where he met my Mom. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that building (and a faulty prophylactic). I told that story to the owner of the studio and convinced him that this was a sign and it was, the CD turned out exactly as I had envisioned."
Mr. E Style is making his mark in the industry by showcasing what Nashville record producer Larry Butler explains as "an original sound that exhibits his own way of presenting stories through his songs. He is a true crooner and stylist." With influences ranging from Andy Kaufman to Johnny Cash to Alice Cooper, it's no wonder that the end result is quite different from the mainstream. Lyle's unique style is what makes him a distinct alternative country music artist.
When asked about his headstrong manager, with a somber look in his eyes he said, "Kitsalano has caused me more problems in my career than anyone I've ever met in my life. Due to his Colonel Parker style demands, I've lost two major record label deals, countless acting parts including being left on the cutting room floor for my portrayal of 'Larry' on NBC's Three's Company movie of the week. Who in their right mind would demand my name being the first to appear on the opening credits? I was a supporting character! Between you and me, I'm looking for a new manager."
- J. Marcala
