Porter Wagoner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Porter Wagoner | |
|---|---|
 Porter Wagoner performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 1999.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Porter Wayne Wagoner |
| Also known as | Mr. Grand Ole Opry |
| Born | August 12, 1927 West Plains, Missouri, USA |
| Died | October 28, 2007 (aged 80) Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| Genre(s) | Country Music |
| Occupation(s) | Country music artist |
| Instrument(s) | Acoustic Guitar |
| Years active | 1951 – 2007 |
| Label(s) | RCA Victor (1956 – 1980) Shell Point Records (2000 – 2002) TeeVee Records (2003 – 2006) Anti (2007) |
| Website | www.porterwagoner.com |
| Members | |
| Country Music Hall of Fame The Grand Ole Opry |
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| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Acoustic Guitar | |
Porter Wayne Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an American country music singer. Famous for his flashy Nudie suits and blond pompadour, Wagoner introduced a young Dolly Parton to his long-running television show. Together, "Porter and Dolly" were a well-known duet team throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Parton wrote the song "I Will Always Love You" after Wagoner suggested she shift from story songs to focus on love songs. [1]
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[edit] Early career
His first band, The Blue Ridge Boys, performed on radio station KWPM from a butcher shop in his native West Plains, Missouri where Wagoner cut meat. Wagoner's big break came in 1951, when he was hired as a performer by station KWTO in Springfield, Missouri. This led to a contract with RCA Records. With lagging sales, Wagoner and his trio played schoolhouses for the gate proceeds.
In 1953, his song entitled "Trademark" became a hit for Carl Smith, followed by a few hits of his own on RCA. He was a featured performer on ABC's Ozark Jubilee and moved to Nashville, joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1957.
[edit] Chart success
His 81 charted records include "Satisfied Mind" (#1, 1955), “Misery Loves Company” (#1, 1962), “I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand” (#7, 1962–1963), “Sorrow on the Rocks” (#5, 1964), “Green Green Grass of Home” (#4, 1965), “Skid Row Joe” (#3, 1965–1966), “The Cold Hard Facts of Life” (#2, 1967), and “The Carroll County Accident” (#2, 1968–1969). Among his hit duets with Dolly Parton were a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind" (1967), "We'll Get Ahead Someday" (1968), "Just Someone I Used To Know" (1969), "Better Move it on Home" (1971), "The Right Combination" (1972), "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" (#1, 1974) and "Making Plans" (#2, 1980). He also won three Grammy Awards for gospel recordings.
[edit] Television show
The Porter Wagoner Show ran on syndicated television from 1960 to 1981. There were 686 thirty-minute episodes filmed, the first 104 being shot in black and white, the remainder in color. At its peak, it was featured in over 100 markets, with an average viewership of over three million.[citation needed] Reruns of the program currently air on the rural cable network RFD-TV. Wagoner's stage alter ego was Skid Row Joe.
The regular cast included:
- Singer Norma Jean (Beasler) 1960-1967
- Singer Dolly Parton 1967-1974
- Singer Mel Tillis
- Comedian/Stand-up bass Speck Rhodes
- Announcer Don Howser
- The house band, The Wagonmasters
- Buck Trent on banjo and guitar
- George McCormick on rhythm guitar
- Don Warden on steel guitar
- "Little" Jack Little on drums
- Mack Magaha on fiddle
- Michael Treadwell on bass
After 1974:
- Fred Newell on guitar/mandolin
- Dave Kirby on guitar
- Stu Basor on steel guitar/dobro
- Bobby Dyson on bass
- Jerry Carey on drums
- Mack Magaha on fiddle
- Linda Carol Moore vocals
The shows usually featured opening performances by Wagoner, with additional performances by Parton or Norma Jean and comedic interludes by Rhodes. During Parton's tenure, she and Wagoner usually sang a duet at some point each week (Wagoner had not previously duetted with Norma Jean).[citation needed] Each episode also featured a guest performer, who would usually perform one or two songs. A spiritual or gospel performance was almost always featured toward the end of the show, and was generally performed by either Wagoner or Parton, or the show's guest star, or occasionally the entire cast.
The shows had a friendly, informal feel, with Wagoner trading jokes with band members (frequently during songs) and exchanging banter with Parton and Howser. During their duets, Parton and Wagoner both frequently changed lyrics on one another, in an attempt to throw the other off course.[citation needed]
[edit] Later career
Wagoner brought James Brown to the Grand Ole Opry, produced a rhythm & blues album for Joe Simon, and appeared in the Clint Eastwood film Honkytonk Man.[1] During the mid 1980s, Wagoner formed an all girl group called The Right Combination, which was named after one of Porter and Dolly Parton's hit records. He also hosted "Opry Backstage" during the 1990s on The Nashville Network where he interviewed guests. Though Parton's departure caused some animosity on both sides, the two reconciled in the late 1980s and have appeared together a number of times in the years since; Parton inducted Wagoner into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wagoner made a guest appearance on the HBO comedy series Da Ali G Show, being interviewed by the fictional character Borat, in its second season.[citation needed]
On July 14, 2006, Wagoner was hospitalized and underwent surgery for an abdominal aneurysm.[citation needed]
Wagoner was honored on May 19, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry for both his fifty years of membership and his 80th birthday. This was telecast on GAC's Grand Ole Opry Live that day with artists such as Stuart, Parton, and Patty Loveless. Grand Ole Opry Live host Nan Kelley was part of the birthday celebration as well.
On June 5, 2007, Wagoner released his final album called Wagonmaster. The album was produced by Marty Stuart for the Anti-label. This album received the best reviews ever in Porter's career and briefly charted on the country charts.
Wagoner also toured during the summer of 2007 to promote the album. One of these was opening for the rock group The White Stripes at a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
[edit] Last illness and death
Wagoner's publicist Darlene Bieber announced on October 19, 2007 that the singer had been hospitalized and was in very serious condition. WSMV-TV reported that Wagoner was admitted earlier that week for observation from an illness. Bieber gave no further information but said that the country star was asking for prayers from his family and fans.
On October 21, 2007, his publicist confirmed that Wagoner had been diagnosed with lung cancer.[2]
On October 26, 2007, Porter was released into hospice care.[3] He died two days later in Nashville, Tennessee.[4] Wagoner's funeral was held on November 1, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry House followed by interrment at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.
Up until his illness and death, he appeared regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and toured actively.
[edit] Porter Wagoner Boulevard
In his native West Plains, Missouri, Porter Wagoner Boulevard is named in his honor. Originally built as a bypass around West Plains, numerous businesses sprang up on it in the 1970s, making it the major north-south thoroughfare in West Plains. The northern terminus is at the interchange with the US 63 bypass. Porter Wagoner Boulevard is labeled as Business Route US 63 from this interchange until it reaches Broadway Street, where Business Route US 63 turns east to follow Broadway. Porter Wagoner Boulevard then follows Howell County Route K, which leaves Porter Wagoner Boulevard only three blocks from this intersection to follow Harlin Avenue and Garrett Street. Porter Wagoner Boulevard then continues for only one more block to its southern terminus at Main Street.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
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[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | US Country | US Hot 100 | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | "Company's Comin'" | 7 | Satisfied Mind | |
| 1955 | "A Satisfied Mind" | 1 | Satisfied Mind | |
| 1955 | "Eat, Drink And Be Merry (Tomorrow You'll Cry)" | 3 | Satisfied Mind | |
| 1956 | "What Would You Do? (If Jesus Came To Your House)" | 8 | The Porter Wagoner Show | |
| 1956 | "Uncle Pen" | 14 | A Slice of Life | |
| 1956 | "Tryin' to Forget the Blues" | 11 | Your Old Love Letters | |
| 1957 | "I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name" | 11 | A Slice of Life | |
| 1959 | "Me and Fred and Joe and Bill" | 29 | An Old Log Cabin for Sale | |
| 1960 | "The Girl Who Didn't Need Love" | 26 | Thin Man From the West Plains | |
| 1960 | "Falling Again" | 26 | Country Feeling | |
| 1960 | "An Old Log Cabin for Sale" | 30 | In Person | |
| 1961 | "Your Old Love Letters" | 10 | The Porter Wagoner Show | |
| 1962 | "Misery Loves Company" | 1 | A Slice of Life | |
| 1962 | "Cold Dark Waters" | 10 | I'm Day Dreamin' Tonight | |
| 1962 | "I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand" | 7 | The Porter Wagoner Show | |
| 1963 | "My Baby's Not Here (In Town Tonight)" | 20 | In Person | |
| 1963 | "In the Shadows of the Wine" | 29 | The Bottom of the Bottle | |
| 1964 | "Howdy Neighbor Howdy" | 19 | In Person | |
| 1964 | "Sorrow on the Rocks" | 5 | The Thin Man From West Plains | |
| 1964 | "I'll Go Down Swinging" | 11 | The Thin Man From West Plains | |
| 1965 | "I'm Gonna Feed You Now" | 21 | The Thin Man From West Plains | |
| 1965 | "Green Green Grass of Home" | 4 | On the Road | |
| 1965 | "Skid Row Joe" | 3 | The Best | |
| 1966 | "I Just Came to Smell the Flowers" | 21 | Confessions of a Broken Man | |
| 1966 | "Ole Slew-Foot" | 48 | Green, Green Grass of Home | |
| 1967 | "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" | 2 | The Cold Hard Facts of Life | |
| 1967 | "Julie" | 15 | The Cold Hard Facts of Life | |
| 1967 | "The Last Thing on My Mind" (with Dolly Parton) | 7 | Just Between You and Me | |
| 1967 | "Woman Hungry" | 24 | (Single only) | |
| 1968 | "Holding on to Nothin'" (with Dolly Parton) | 7 | Just the Two of Us | |
| 1968 | "Be Proud of Your Man" | 16 | Country | |
| 1968 | "We'll Get Ahead Someday" (with Dolly Parton) | 5 | Just the Two of Us | |
| 1968 | "Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark" (with Dolly Parton) | 51 | Just the Two of Us | |
| 1968 | "The Carroll County Accident" | 2 | 92 | The Carroll County Accident |
| 1969 | "Yours Love" (with Dolly Parton) | 9 | Always, Always | |
| 1969 | "Big Wind" | 3 | Me and My Boys | |
| 1969 | "Always, Always" (with Dolly Parton) | 16 | Always, Always | |
| 1969 | "Just Someone I Used to Know" (with Dolly Parton) | 5 | Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca | |
| 1969 | "When You're Hot You're Hot" | 21 | You Gotta Have a License | |
| 1970 | "Tomorrow Is Forever" (with Dolly Parton) | 9 | Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca | |
| 1970 | "You Gotta Have a License" | 41 | You Gotta Have a License | |
| 1970 | "Little Boy's Prayer" | 43 | You Gotta Have a License | |
| 1970 | "Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man" (with Dolly Parton) | 7 | Once More | |
| 1970 | "Jim Johnson" | 41 | Simple As I Am | |
| 1971 | "The Last One to Touch Me" | 18 | Simple As I Am | |
| 1971 | "Better Move It on Home" (with Dolly Parton) | 7 | The Best of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton | |
| 1971 | "Charley's Picture" | 15 | Simple As I Am | |
| 1971 | "The Right Combination" (with Dolly Parton) | 14 | The Right Combination | |
| 1971 | "Be a Little Quieter" | 11 | Sings His Own | |
| 1971 | "Burning the Midnight Oil" (with Dolly Parton) | 11 | The Right Combination | |
| 1972 | "What Ain't to Be Just Might Happen" | 8 | What Ain't to Be Just Might Happen | |
| 1972 | "Lost Forever in Your Kiss" (with Dolly Parton) | 9 | Together Always | |
| 1972 | "A World Without Music" | 14 | Experience | |
| 1972 | "Together Always" (with Dolly Parton) | 14 | Together Always | |
| 1972 | "Katy Did" | 16 | Experience | |
| 1973 | "We Found It" (with Dolly Parton) | 30 | We Found It | |
| 1973 | "Lightening The Load" | 54 | I'll Keep on Loving You | |
| 1973 | "If Teardrops Were Pennies" (with Dolly Parton) | 3 | Love and Music | |
| 1973 | "Wake Up, Jacob" | 37 | The Farmer | |
| 1973 | "George Leroy Chickashea" | 43 | Tore Down | |
| 1974 | "Tore Down/Nothing Between" | 46 | Tore Down | |
| 1974 | "Highway Headin' South" | 15 | Highway Headin' South | |
| 1974 | "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" (with Dolly Parton) | 1 | Porter 'n' Dolly | |
| 1974 | "Carolina Moonshiner" | 19 | (Single Only) | |
| 1975 | "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" (with Dolly Parton) | 5 | Say Forever You'll Be Mine | |
| 1975 | "Indian Creek" | 96 | (Single Only) | |
| 1976 | "Is Forever Longer Than Always" (with Dolly Parton) | 8 | (Single Only) | |
| 1976 | "When Lea Jane Sang" | 66 | (Single Only) | |
| 1977 | "I Haven't Learned a Thing" (with Merle Haggard) | 76 | Porter | |
| 1978 | "Mountain Music" | 64 | (Single Only) | |
| 1978 | "Ole Slew-Foot/I'm Gonna Feed 'Em Now" | 31 | Today | |
| 1979 | "I Want to Walk You Home" | 34 | (Single Only) | |
| 1979 | "Everything I've Always Wanted" | 32 | (Single Only) | |
| 1979 | "Hold On Tight" | 64 | Porter Wagoner | |
| 1980 | "Is It Only Cause You're Lonely" | 84 | (Single Only) | |
| 1980 | "Making Plans" (with Dolly Parton) | 2 | Porter & Dolly | |
| 1980 | "If You Go, I'll Follow You" (with Dolly Parton) | 12 | Porter & Dolly | |
| 1982 | "Turn the Pencil Over" | 53 | (Single Only) | |
| 1983 | "This Cowboy's Hat" | 35 | Viva | |
| 2007 | "Committed to Parkview" | Wagonmaster |
[edit] Awards
| Year | Award | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame | Country Music Hall of Fame | |
| 1998 | Living Legend | TNN/Music City News | |
| 1971 | Vocal Duo of the Year | CMA | with Dolly Parton |
| 1970 | Vocal Duo of the Year | CMA | with Dolly Parton |
| 1970 | Vocal Duet of the Year | Music City News Country | with Dolly Parton |
| 1969 | Vocal Duet of the Year | Music City News Country | with Dolly Parton |
| 1969 | Best Gospel Performance | Grammy | |
| 1968 | Vocal Duet of the Year | Music City News Country | with Dolly Parton |
| 1968 | Vocal Group of the Year | CMA | with Dolly Parton |
| 1967 | Best Gospel Performance | Grammy | |
| 1966 | Best Sacred Recording (Musical) | Grammy |
[edit] References
- ^ Eng, Steve. (1998). "Porter Wagoner". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 565-6.
- ^ Country music singer Porter Wagoner diagnosed with lung cancer - International Herald Tribune
- ^ "Wagoner Released to Hospice Care" from CMT.com, October 26, 2007.
- ^ "Country Music Hall of Fame Member Porter Wagoner Dies" from CMT.com, October 28, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Official MySpace
- at the Country Music Hall of Fame
- Porter Wagoner - Obituary
- Obituary at the New York Times.
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Porter Wagoner |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Mr. Grand Ole Opry |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Country Music Artist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 12, 1927 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | West Plains, Missouri, United States of America |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 28, 2007 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America |
