Emerging from Erick, Oklahoma, he learned to ride horses early, worked as a cowboy and rodeo rider, and later honed musical skills by forming the Plainview Melody Boys and teaching guitar to a young Roger Miller. A novelty hit “The Purple People Eater” propelled him to national fame, while his country persona Ben Colder yielded chart successes such as “Almost Persuaded No. 2” and a Billboard-toppi…
