Country Star Wagoner Moved To Hospice

WKMG TV NEWS ^ | 10-27-2007

[Cagey]

Hall Of Famer Recently Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Grand Ole Opry spokesman said 80-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer Porter Wagoner has been moved to a hospice providing care for the terminally ill. He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

The Missouri-born Wagoner, whose hits include "Green Green Grass of Home" has been enjoying a comeback that saw him recording again and gaining new fans.

His latest CD, "Wagonmaster," was released in June and earned him some of the best reviews of his career.

As recently as this summer he performed at a sold-out Madison Square Garden as the opening act for White Stripes.

Earlier in his career, Wagoner, who is known for his rhinestone stage outfits, helped launch the career of Dolly Parton by hiring her as his duet partner in 1967.

[martin_fierro]

The man's got style.

[Cagey]

[Cagey]

No matter what one’s taste in music, I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying “Green, Green Grass of Home”.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I remember as a kid watching the Porter Wagoner tv show. Remember seeing Dolly Parton on there alot.

[VOA]

Earlier in his career, Wagoner, who is known for his rhinestone
stage outfits, helped launch the career of Dolly Parton by hiring her
as his duet partner in 1967.

One of the sponsors of his shows was a detergent brand that would
include "free" towels in the detergent packages ("free",
except for the detergent left out of the box!).

I remember one of my friends telling about how Ms. Parton held up
one of the towels and said "Porter, LOOK at THESE!".
Of course she meant the nice (floral?) pattern on the towel.
But I'm sure most of the males in the audience snickering about
the other items Ms. Parton always had on display with her tight dresses.

Best of luck to you, Mr. Wagoner!

[PzLdr]

Try listening to it in an “O” Club in Korea, as the “Gleen, Gleen Glass of Home”! [ “Derirah” was a bit much as well].

[sweet_diane]

Wow...there's a blast from the past. My Nashville born mother looked down her nose to anything Opry, yet didn't change the channel when I would watch his show. I remember Dolly and the detergent with towels spots. Not too long ago I saw them reunited and broken fences mended. I always felt he was a bit resentful of her success, even tho I've always heard her give him credit for getting her career going.

I hope things go as well as can be expected for him and that he will enjoy that Green, Green Grass of Home.

[Ghengis]

Watching Porter Wagoner was a family ritual for us in my childhood as well. His long walk from backstage in the intro/opening credits made that portion of the show unique at the time.

And, yes, Dolly was memorable in the show too!

God bless you, Porter. Prayers sent up for you and your loved ones.

[Leg Olam]

I can’t imagine anyone who grew up in the 50s & 60s having not watched his show at least once. Consumate showman and excellent musician. I saw his trio at a high school when I was eight years old in Nevada Mo. I pray that he has a quick and painless exit from this life.

Goodbye ‘Mr. Grand Ol Opre’.

[mkjessup]

We all knew that it wouldn’t be long after June Carter Cash died, that Johnny would be leaving us too, and I feel the same sad feeling about Porter, but I’m betting that Mel Tillis is remembering a story he told many years ago about Porter Wagoner...

Mel said that he was touring with Porter on a typical country road show, and to save money the performers shared motel rooms, and as fate would have it, he was rooming with Porter Wagoner one night, and Mel woke up about 3:00 am smelling smoke, and realized the motel was on fire, he tried to wake Porter up, “P, P, P, P, orrrtttter...” (Mel stuttering as always when he tried to talk when excited) and Porter kept saying “ahhh be quiet Mel, I’m trying to get some sleep!”

Desperate to save themselves, Mel knew the only way to get Porter’s attention was to sing (Mel of course never stuttered when singing), so he slung his guitar over his neck, strummed a chord, and sang out:

“PORTER! THE MOTEL is on FIRE!!!!”

I love that story!

God bless you Porter, I wish you the very best!

[armymarinemom]

One of the sponsors of his shows was a detergent brand that would include "free" towels in the detergent packages ("free", except for the detergent left out of the box!). My father still has old Duz glassware.

[vetvetdoug]

Saturday nights were spent around the TV after a long days work at the stockyard. The Porter Waggoner Show and The Osborne Bros were two of the shows that were lined up on Saturday night...then we got the Grand Ole' Opry....Lots of good memories because the next day, Sunday, we were back on the lot working cattle but trying to sing what we heard that Saturday night. Porter Waggoner and Cas Walker's Dolly were always a treat. I believe Tennessee Earnie Ford also had a program that night too..

[Cagey]

Great story.

[raccoonradio]

the one album of his I’ve heard/ I have is “Wagoneer” and
it’s excellent. I plan to check his earlier stuff out...

Re: Dolly Parton, I’m reminded of a MAD magazine spoof of
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” in which Loretta’s husband (Mooney?)
comes out of a radio station saying, “We’re sure to get airplay now. I just dropped off a picture with the DJ
along with the record.”

Loretta: “Why do you think that will get us airplay?”

“’Cause it’s a picture of _Dolly Parton_!” (And we
see the DJ drooling over it.)

[tanuki]

Was ROFLMAO!! And I’m sure my friends will be too, when I tell it to them. Thanks for posting. My best to Mr. Wagoner.

[fella]

Isn't there a rule about mentioning "Dolly" and posting pictures?

Ole'Porter sure has some good tunes.

[em2vn]

“....I was eight years old in Nevada Mo.”
The only town I ever worked in that the water required chewing before swallowing.

[eccentric]

ditto

[longhorn too]

I can remember watching the Wilburn Brothers show, on which Loretta Lynn was a regular. Those were the good old days!