Dolly, Marty Stuart, Dierks Bentley remember Porter Wagoner
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Dolly, Marty Stuart, Dierks Bentley remember Porter Wagoner

Monday, October 29, 2007 – Dolly Parton, whose career took off after Porter Wagoner hired her to sing, spent time with the late singer Sunday just hours before he died.

"I went over on Sunday afternoon and spent his last few hours with Porter and his family, so I was able to say goodbye," said Parton in a prepared statement. "I sang for him and prayed with him. It felt good that I had the opportunity to say goodbye properly. His family is very grateful to everyone for all their help."

Marty Stuart, who produced Wagoner's last disc, "The Wagonmaster," said, "Losing Porter is going to take a whole lot of getting used to as he's been a part of my life for so long. I grew up watching his television show in Mississippi, and it was as if he were a member of our family. After I got to know him, he was."

"He was a masterful showman, who understood the art of the final act. He left the world on top. Some of the things that soften the blow of his passing are all the memories from the past year. We made a wonderful record together that got him lots of acclaim, he celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry, he had a new generation of kids in love with him and his music, the awards were coming, the Martin Guitar Company had named a guitar in his honor and he was asked to light the nation's Christmas tree at the Pageant of Peace celebration in Washington, D.C. next month. One of the last things he said to me was, "You're gonna' have to call the President and tell him I won't be able to sing him any Christmas songs this year. Maybe next year."

Singer Patty Loveless referred to Wagoner as "my mentor in the early years of my musical journey and over the years became like family to me. He encouraged me and helped me to fulfill my dreams and was truly and inspiration. I love him and I miss him already."

Dierks Bentley visited Wagoner last Tuesday in the hospital. He said Wagoner "led us in a prayer. He thanked God for friends, family and the Grand Ole Opry."

"This is a great loss for country music and the Grand Ole Opry. It's also a great loss for me personally because he was a friend I was really just getting to know. I feel blessed for the time I did have with him."


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CD reviews for Porter Wagoner

CD review - 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'... ...
CD review - 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. ...
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 ...


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