Porter Wagner: His Life And Death

Lung cancer was the undefeated enemy that brought down Porter Wagner, the acclaimed Grand Ole Opry celebrity.


Well known for his rhinestone suits and the daring hair style, Porter Wagner was also loved by many people for his country songs. He was the one that helped Dolly Parton to start her career as a country singer as well.


Wagner's career was fading, when the artist decided for a re-launch, signing with ANTI-records, specialized in promoting alternative rock stars, like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, or Neko Case. With them, he released the album "Wagonmaster" that was very well received by critiques. It seemed that all was going well, and the concert he carried in the opening of White Stripes, at the Madison Square Garden, was also acclaimed. The fans seemed to be on Wagner's side, once again.


The country legend was very impressed as well. Not only his old fans came to attend the concert, but also youngsters and Porter Wagner told reporters that he did not expect to see twenty year olds coming to ask him for autographs.


Porter Wagner had dreamt of becoming an Opry performer, since he was a kid, in West Plains, Missouri. During those times, he climbed on a tree stump, and, from there, he gave performances, repeating for the career that he would later develop. The place of birth gave him the nickname, "The Thin Man From West Plains".


His first steps in the music industry were made at the radio, and later, he was part of the "Ozark Jubilee", a television show for country music stars. Later, in 1955, he signed with RCS Records and from there the path became smoother. Two years from there, he began playing at Grand Ole Opry, the place that he called "greatest place in the world to have a career in country music". For over twenty years, the star had his own television show called "The Porter Wagoner Show". In its own terms, the show was a novelty, being Nashville based, and other shows tried to reach its standards.


After the show was canceled, in 1982, Porter Wagner said about it that it was all natural, not mechanical like others.


Porter Wagner was the one to launch young Dolly Parton, back in 1967. Under Wagner's guidance, Dolly Parton began writing love songs, and she composed the best selling hit "I Will Always Love You". The collaboration between them continued up till 1974, when they parted in order to follow solo careers.


On his own, or in collaboration with others, Porter Wagner created many successful songs, such as "Misery Loves Company", "Green Green Grass of Home", "Carroll County Accident", and many, many others. It is no surprise when he entered the Country Music Hall of Fame, in the year 2002.

About The Author:
Visit www.articleclick.com for additional article contributions by Pearle Tsuji.