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Porter Wagoner (born August 12, 1927, in Howell County, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains) is an American country music singer. Famous for his flashy Nudie suits and blonde pompadour, Wagoner introduced a young Dolly Parton to his long-running television show. Together, "Porter and Dolly" were a well-known duet team for many years. After they split, Dolly wrote the song "I Will Always Love You" about him.
His first band, The Blue Ridge Boys, performed on radio station KWPM from a butcher shop 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 Mountain Jubilee and moved to Nashville and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957.
Television show
The Porter Waggoner Show ran on syndicated television from 1960 to 1979. 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 three million-plus viewers.
The regular cast included:
- Singer Norma Jean (Beasler) 1960-1967
- Singer Dolly Parton 1967-1974
- Singer Mel Tillis
- Comedian 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
- Mack Magaha on fiddle
- Michael Treadwell on bass
Chart success
Wagoner was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002. His 81 charted records include â??Misery Loves Companyâ?? (#1, 1962), â??I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Standâ?? (#7, 1962â??1963), â??Sorrow on the Rocksâ?? (#5, 1964), â??Green, Green Grass of Homeâ?? (#4, 1965), â??Skid Row Joeâ?? (#3, 1965â??1966), â??The Cold Hard Facts of Lifeâ?? (#2, 1967), and â??The Carroll County Accidentâ?? (#2, 1968â??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), and "Better Move it on Home" (1970). He also won three Grammy Awards for gospel recordings.
Later career
He has produced many records and appeared in the Clint Eastwood film Honkytonk Man. Wagoner's positive attitude and engaging persona have made him an ambassador for country music. He appears regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and tours actively as he approaches 80 years of age. He also made a guest appearance on the HBO comedy series "Da Ali G Show", being interviewed by the fictional character Borat in its second season. Though Parton's depature 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.
On July 14, 2006, Wagoner was hospitalized and underwent surgery for an abdominal aneurysm. A good prognosis was expected.[1].
External links
de:Porter Wagoner
fi:Porter Wagoner
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