Porter Wagoner, Tennessean
Matthew Kruk
By PETER COOPER
Staff Writer
For 50 years, Porter Wagoner starred on the Grand Ole Opry, wearing
otherworldly suits and singing about salt-of-the-earth concerns.
The Country Music Hall of Famer died at age 80 tonight, as dignitaries and
stars gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame to induct its three newest
members. Mr. Wagoner was admitted to the hospital on Monday, Oct. 15 and had
been under doctors' care since then. Mr. Wagoner was released to hospice
care on Friday, days after the announcement of a lung cancer diagnosis.
Known as "The Thin Man From West Plains," Mr. Wagoner's contributions to
country music are manifold and consequential. Marty Stuart, who produced
this year's much-heralded comeback album Wagonmaster, calls him "an American
master and a cornerstone of our music."
A hit-maker for more than a quarter-century, he was a Country Music Hall of
Famer and a three-time Grammy winner whose best-loved singles included "A
Satisfied Mind," "Misery Loves Company" and "Green, Green Grass of Home."
His syndicated television show allowed him to serve as an ambassador for the
genre, and it proved invaluable in spreading the fame of Wagoner's
hand-picked "girl singer," Dolly Parton, with whom he had hit duets
including "Just Someone I Used To Know" and "Making Plans."
In the studio, he was an innovator who tweaked traditional country
arrangements and found fresh sounds in a genre that often tugs against
change.
He was among the pioneers of the country "concept album," releasing
song-sets such as "What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen" and "The Cold, Hard
Facts of Life" that offered unified themes. As a performer and producer, he
sought the beauty of harmony and the reality of dissonance.
He was a tenacious song-scavenger, listening to outside material even during
down-time at the Opry in this new millennium, hoping to find hit songs and
new ideas. And in the wake of Minnie Pearl's 1996 death, Mr. Wagoner and
Jimmy Dickens became the public faces of the Grand Ole Opry.
Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first to wear a
rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that designation - but he was
certainly a famed and ardent devotee of the power of garb.
Backstage in his dressing room, the suits were so heavy that they were hard
to hoist with one hand. They must have been hot, and burdensome to wear. But
under the lights, on the grand stage, they sparkled and dazzled. Opry
patrons would always applaud at the first sight of Wagoner, cheering him as
a vision and as a visionary as he welcomed them to the show, professed his
pleasure to be there and told a joke or two.
Clothes didn't make the man, but they accentuated him, and Mr. Wagoner's
stage outfits could be read like rhinestone novels, with glittering wagon
wheels and other symbols that told stories of the songs and life of this
farmer's son from Missouri.
EARLY LIFE
Mr. Wagoner was born in the Ozark Mountains in 1927. His early childhood was
marked by the Great Depression of the 1930s, when the Wagoners worked to
keep their farm alive during a decade in which 18,000 farms foreclosed in
the Show Me State.
His older brother, Glenn Lee, taught him to play the guitar, and music
became a balm for the hard times.
Young Mr. Wagoner attended a one-room schoolhouse with no heat or water, and
in the afternoon the teenager would commandeer an oak tree stump on his
family's property, pretend the stump was the Grand Ole Opry stage and
pretend he was introducing Roy Acuff, the King of the Hillbillies. Then he'd
leap off the stump, get back on it from the other side and pretend he WAS
Acuff, singing "Wabash Cannonball."
A neighbor once caught this pre-rhinestone act and told the boy, "You'll
still be plowing these mules when you're 65."
(Mr. Wagoner turned 65 in August of 1992, without a mule in sight.)
In 1942, brother Glenn Lee died. Mr. Wagoner quit school a few months later,
and the farm was soon sold to pay off family debts. Mr. Wagoner worked in a
service station, as a butcher and as a truck driver. He also began
performing on West Plains radio station KWPM, becoming popular enough to
encourage his dream of being a professional singer.
His first break came in 1951 when KWTO in Springfield, Mo., hired him for a
show that later became the famous Ozark Jubilee. In 1952, he recorded for
RCA Victor, and one year later Carl Smith had a No. 2 country hit with
Wagoner's "Trademark." Two years later, Wagoner had a Top 10 hit of his own
with "Company's Comin', and in 1955 he went to No. 1 with "A Satisfied
Mind." Less than two years later, he moved to Nashville and joined the
Opry.
'Appointment television'
In 1960, Mr. Wagoner launched The Porter Wagoner Show, a program that
brought country and gospel music into millions of homes. That show became
appointment viewing for plenty of people.
"It was the only time of the week I had with my daddy," Stuart said. "We'd
see Porter in black and white on television, and then I got to see him in
living color, with the suit on, on the Opry."
Mr. Wagoner's television program featured plenty of striking musicians. Buck
Trent played an electric banjo that sounded like a steel guitar. Fiddler
Mack Magaha was a deft instrumentalist and performer, Speck Rhodes provided
comedy, and the singer known as "Pretty Miss Norma Jean" stole hearts and
shared duets.
In 1967, Norma Jean left the show, and Wagoner chose an East Tennessee
native named Dolly Parton as a replacement. Audiences were at first
resistant to Parton, who had a high voice and who tended to talk faster than
most Southern ladies, but they warmed to her in part because of the lovely
duets she recorded with Mr. Wagoner. Those recordings, coupled with the
exposure of the television show, helped launch Parton to her eventual
superstar-level success.
The television program reached plenty of viewers who were previously
unfamiliar with country music. Two of those viewers were Jerry Garcia of the
Grateful Dead and Robert Hunter, who served as the Dead's primary lyricist.
"We (the Dead) were getting off of that psychedelic run that we were on,"
said Hunter, who watched the show each week with Garcia in Northern
California. "We had evolved from bluegrass and old-timey bands, but what we
didn't know was country & western, or whatever it was that Dolly and Porter
were doing. So a little bit of Nashville moved into the Bay Area, and it was
like nothing I'd ever seen."
Hunter eventually made his way backstage at the Opry, where he told that
story to Mr. Wagoner, who smiled and said, "Well, I never did hear nothing
by that Grateful Dead that I didn't like."
In 1972, Mr. Wagoner tried his own bit of psychedelia with the What Ain't To
Be, Just Might Happen album. That one included "Rubber Room," a song that
found him singing "Doom, doom, doom, zoom, room tomb . rubber room" amid
waves of reverb.
"People thought I was crazy, man," Mr. Wagoner said in 2000. "I mean,
actually crazy. They thought I'd lost my mind."
He hadn't lost his mind, though. He was just trying something new, again. It
was the same thing he'd done when he used those tight, trio harmonies on "A
Satisfied Mind" in 1955, and when he used a spacey, tremolo effect on
"Heartbreak Affair" in 1960.
"Every now and then, you've got to rattle the cage a little," Mr. Wagoner
told The Tennessean.
In 1974, after recording 14 Top 10 hits, winning a Grammy and three Country
Music Association duo of the year awards with Mr. Wagoner, Parton split with
him. Though Parton wrote the gentle "I Will Always Love You" about a breakup
that was both personal and professional, the parting turned contentious. In
1978, Mr. Wagoner told The Tennessean he could never trust Parton again.
Later, though, the two reunited for performances and they rekindled their
friendship. This year, on a show that celebrated his 50th year on the Opry,
Mr. Wagoner introduced Parton as "One of my best friends today," and he wept
onstage as Parton sand "I Will Always Love You," looking right at him.
Mr. Wagoner did not record any country hits after 1983, and talks of a
comeback album were halted after he nearly died from an aneurysm in 2006.
But he slowly returned to good health, and he and Stuart set about making an
album that highlighted his talents. Wagonmaster was released to rave
reviews, Mr. Wagoner's legacy was reevaluated by The New York Times, No
Depression magazine and other publications, and Mr. Wagoner wound up opening
for rock band The White Stripes at Madison Square Garden.
"I'm just so grateful, and feel so good about the fact that God let me live
through that aneurysm," Mr. Wagoner said earlier this year. "I guess I think
he had some other things that he wanted me to do."
Mr. Wagoner's death was announced tonight by a publicist for the Grand Ole
Opry. Mr Wagoner - who was honored on May 19 for his 50 years as an Opry
member- died at 8:25 p.m. at Alive Hospice in Nashville.
"The Grand Ole Opry family is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of
our dear friend, Porter Wagoner. His passion for the Opry and all of country
music was truly immeasurable. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family
at this difficult time," says Pete Fisher, vice-president and general
manager of The Grand Ole Opry.
Mr. Wagoner is survived by three children, Richard, Debra and Denise.
Visitation and funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Brian Watson
"Matthew Kruk" <Matthe...@Telus.net> wrote in message
news:dSfVi.46248$G25.42374@edtnps89...
> Country Hall of Famer Porter Wagoner dies at 80
> By PETER COOPER
> Staff Writer
>
> For 50 years, Porter Wagoner starred on the Grand Ole Opry, wearing
> otherworldly suits and singing about salt-of-the-earth concerns.
>
> of Famer and a three-time Grammy winner whose best-loved singles included
> "A Satisfied Mind," "Misery Loves Company" and "Green, Green Grass of
> Home."
Tom Jones had the UK hit with Green, Green, Grass Of Home, but Porter
Wagoner was well known here by anyone who knew anything about his generation
of country singers.
I have to say he wasn't my kind of singer - I was always more of a Hank
Williams/Loretta Lynn/Johnny Cash/ fan back in the day - but I recognise he
was DAMN good at his job, that of entertaining folks in a memorable style.
> Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first to wear a
> rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that designation - but he was
> certainly a famed and ardent devotee of the power of garb.
Yeah, Elton John will keep THAT style of on-stage upholstery fashionable for
a few years yet.
:-)
--
Brian
"Fight like the Devil, die like a gentleman."
Matthew Kruk
news:5omoksF...@mid.individual.net...
> ...
>> Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first to wear a
>> rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that designation - but he was
>> certainly a famed and ardent devotee of the power of garb.
>
> Yeah, Elton John will keep THAT style of on-stage upholstery fashionable
> for a few years yet.
I like that description ... "on-stage upholstery". LOL.
Brian Watson
"Matthew Kruk" <Matthe...@Telus.net> wrote in message
Well, he always looked like the drapes and floor coverings had been
plundered to provide them...!
Misky
But do his "drapes" and "rug" match? <heh-heh>
Misky
busgal
> "Brian Watson" <WACCI_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:5ompa4F...@mid.individual.net...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Matthew Kruk" <Matthew.K...@Telus.net> wrote in message
> >news:r6qVi.76672$%B2.57749@edtnps82...
> >> "Brian Watson" <WACCI_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >>news:5omoksF...@mid.individual.net...
> >>> ...
> >>>> Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first to wear
> >>>> a rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that designation - but he
> >>>> was certainly a famed and ardent devotee of the power of garb.
>
> >>> Yeah, Elton John will keep THAT style of on-stage upholstery fashionable
> >>> for a few years yet.
>
> >> I like that description ... "on-stage upholstery". LOL.
>
> > Well, he always looked like the drapes and floor coverings had been
> > plundered to provide them...!
>
> But do his "drapes" and "rug" match? <heh-heh>
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
You should have seen the picture of his bedroom in the July-August
issue of No Depression.
Brad Ferguson
<WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > By PETER COOPER
A name to conjure with, if you're from where I'm from.
Bob Feigel
magnanimously proffered:
Tsk tsk tsk ...
--
"It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Doc
> On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:29:57 -0700, "Misky" <mi...@x0x0x.net>
> magnanimously proffered:
>
>>
>>"Brian Watson" <WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>news:5ompa4F...@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "Matthew Kruk" <Matthe...@Telus.net> wrote in message
>>> news:r6qVi.76672$%B2.57749@edtnps82...
>>>> "Brian Watson" <WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:5omoksF...@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first to wear
>>>>>> a rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that designation - but he
>>>>>> was certainly a famed and ardent devotee of the power of garb.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yeah, Elton John will keep THAT style of on-stage upholstery fashionable
>>>>> for a few years yet.
>>>>
>>>> I like that description ... "on-stage upholstery". LOL.
>>>
>>> Well, he always looked like the drapes and floor coverings had been
>>> plundered to provide them...!
>>
>>But do his "drapes" and "rug" match? <heh-heh>
>
>
> Tsk tsk tsk ...
>
>
>
Miss Dolly...there was a pair of big ones!
--
Terry
_______________
"Those who flee temptation generally leave a forwarding address."
-Lane Olinghouse
Misky
> On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:29:57 -0700, "Misky" <mi...@x0x0x.net>
> magnanimously proffered:
>
>>
>> "Brian Watson" <WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:5ompa4F...@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "Matthew Kruk" <Matthe...@Telus.net> wrote in message
>>> news:r6qVi.76672$%B2.57749@edtnps82...
>>>> "Brian Watson" <WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:5omoksF...@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first
>>>>>> to wear a rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that
>>>>>> designation - but he was certainly a famed and ardent devotee of
>>>>>> the power of garb.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yeah, Elton John will keep THAT style of on-stage upholstery
>>>>> fashionable for a few years yet.
>>>>
>>>> I like that description ... "on-stage upholstery". LOL.
>>>
>>> Well, he always looked like the drapes and floor coverings had been
>>> plundered to provide them...!
>>
>> But do his "drapes" and "rug" match? <heh-heh>
>
>
> Tsk tsk tsk ...
LOL .... well, we *are* talking about Elton John. Not such a preposterous
question, is it?
Misky
Misky
> On 2007-10-30, Bob Feigel <b...@surfwriter.net.not> wrote:
>> On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:29:57 -0700, "Misky" <mi...@x0x0x.net>
>> magnanimously proffered:
>>
>>>
>>> "Brian Watson" <WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:5ompa4F...@mid.individual.net...
>>>>
>>>> "Matthew Kruk" <Matthe...@Telus.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:r6qVi.76672$%B2.57749@edtnps82...
>>>>> "Brian Watson" <WACC...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:5omoksF...@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>> Oh, yes, and there were the suits. Mr. Wagoner wasn't the first
>>>>>>> to wear a rhinestone suit on the Opry - Dickens has that
>>>>>>> designation - but he was certainly a famed and ardent devotee
>>>>>>> of the power of garb.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yeah, Elton John will keep THAT style of on-stage upholstery
>>>>>> fashionable for a few years yet.
>>>>>
>>>>> I like that description ... "on-stage upholstery". LOL.
>>>>
>>>> Well, he always looked like the drapes and floor coverings had been
>>>> plundered to provide them...!
>>>
>>> But do his "drapes" and "rug" match? <heh-heh>
>>
>>
>> Tsk tsk tsk ...
>>
>>
>>
> Agreed. Extremely poor treatment of the old wagonmaster.
Hmmm.... I thought I was commenting on Elton John but it now does look like
perhaps Porter was being referenced in the comment I replied to. With his
big blonde pompadour, my question might still be valid. (grin) Don't get
me wrong, I liked Porter Wagoner. Have some snapshots I took of him in the
Hall of Fame in Nashville in 1969, up close and personal ones. Guess I
should put them up for sale on eBay now.
Porter and
> Miss Dolly...there was a pair of big ones!
Tsk, tsk, tsk ...
Check out pictures of her with Porter when she was singing with him. They
weren't nearly so big back then.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/34hr4z
http://tinyurl.com/34hr4z
http://www.bmi.com/news/200311/images/dparton_signing.jpg
Misky
Bob Feigel
magnanimously proffered:
Not at all. But while we're on the subject, I would have thought that
someone with Elton's kind of money would have been able to buy a more
convincing rug to wear with his drapes. Makes me wonder whether he's
taken up needlepoint.
Misky
I was going to ask you how in hell you know what his rug looks like. But in
his case, it appears he has two rugs and no drapes. LMAO !
Makes me wonder whether he's
> taken up needlepoint.
Rosie Greer does needlepoint.
Misky
R H Draney
>
>
>Rosie Greer does needlepoint.
Rosey (note spelling) is OT...I wonder if Ray Milland did needlepoint....r
--
"He come in the night when one sleep on a bed.
With a hand he have the basket and foods."
- David Sedaris explains the Easter rabbit
Brad Ferguson
<dado...@spamcop.net> wrote:
> Misky filted:
> >
> >
> >Rosie Greer does needlepoint.
>
> Rosey (note spelling) is OT...I wonder if Ray Milland did needlepoint....r
Rocky Graziano did needlepoint. He owned a pizza parlor on Second
Avenue in Manhattan a bunch of years ago -- it was called Rocky
Graziano's Pizza Ring -- and framed examples of his work were hung on
the walls. It wasn't very elaborate stuff, but it was all his.
John M.
And then there's Kevin Kline's character in In & Out. He didn't do needlepoint
but he did like Barbara Streisand.
--
John M.
Doc
Frankly, I'd prefer having needlepoint done on me rather than
listening to Barbara Streisand.