Porter Wagoner celebrates golden anniversary at Grand Ole Opry
Sunday, May 20, 2007 – Country Music Hall of Famer Porter Wagoner celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member during a sold-out performance Saturday. Fellow Opry members Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart, who is producing a new album on Wagoner titled "Wagonmaster," due in stores June 5, joined him on stage for a performance of the Parton penned hit "I Will Always Love You." When Parton ended her serenade to Wagoner, who was sitting on a stool during the song, she had to wipe away his tears and said, "You can get up now, I'm done hollering at you!"
Earlier in the evening Pete Fisher, general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, presented a circa 1881 gold pocket watch to Wagoner.
Wagoner has had 81 charting singles, including 29 Top 10 records and country classics such as "A Satisfied Mind," "Misery Loves Company," "The Hard Cold Facts of Life," "The Carroll County Accident" and "Green, Green Grass of Home." Wagoner also hosted the syndicated Porter Wagoner Show, which ran for 21 years and reached more than 100 TV markets. It was on this show that Wagoner introduced Parton. The pair went on to have 14 Top 10 duet hits and to win 3 consecutive CMA Awards as Duo of the Year.
More news for Porter Wagoner
CD reviews for Porter Wagoner
Wagonmaster
Porter Wagoner's latest is a terrific album. It's a collection that fits seamlessly into Wagoner's long and impressive body of musical work, while at the same time representing an artistic stretch on behalf of the artist and his reverential producer, Marty Stuart.
The album is bookended with "Wagonmaster 1 & 2," a quick fiddle ditty with producer Stuart introducing the artist, "Wagonmaster's comin..." and Wagonmaster's leavin'... »»» |
18 Grand Old Gospel 2005
This is Porter Wagoner's second gospel collection in two years, perhaps a clear indication that he has found a comfortable home in the genre.
Wagoner contributes four of his own compositions to this set, including two recitations, "I Found A Man" and "The Bird That Never Flew." The other 14 offerings are a mix of standards such as "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" and "In The Sweet Bye and Bye" and newer material with an old time feel. His current singing partner, Pam Gold, joins him on "Ye Of Little Faith. »»» |
Unplugged
Porter Wagoner's second Shell Point album finds him in fine voice, with supple support from his regular band, The Wagonmasters, and a finely picked collection of tunes. The album title is one to take with a grain of salt, as Wagoner's never been hugely "plugged" in the first place. Still, the electric guitars give way to steel, dobro and acoustic picking, and the drums keep to a polite level. The result would sound as natural in 1962 as it does here in 2002.
The near-acoustic backing provides »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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