Porter Wagoner 1927-2007

While scanning through Ceefax on Monday morning I came across the news that country music legend Porter Wagoner had passed away.

If you’re not a fan of country music you can be excused for not knowing anything about Porter Wagoner. Until recently I hardly knew anything about him either. He’s briefly mentioned in Johnny Cash’s autobiography ‘Cash’ as being one of the first artists he toured with. Cash goes on to say he’s a fan of Wagoner and reveals how well liked he is in the industry. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I properly began to learn more about Porter Wagoner and it came purely from the fact I‘d bought tickets to see ‘The White Stripes’ at Madison Square Garden.

I was thinking a band the size of ‘The White Stripes’ playing an arena the size of Madison Square Garden would demand some formidable support acts. When I found out the two supporting artists were Nick Cave’s new band Grinderman and some country act called Porter Wagoner I’ve got to admit I was initially disappointed. Despite this I thought I might as well find out a bit about him and maybe download some of his music as a taster. The more I read the more I could see how highly regarded he was in country music and why he was suitable choice for a support act. He had enjoyed a long solo career but was perhaps better known for his duets with Dolly Parton which spanned three decades. Parton has said in past interviews that her universally recognised song ‘I Will Always Love You’ was written for Wagoner. Away from music he hosted his own TV show in the sixties and seventies, the imaginatively titled ‘The Porter Wagoner Show. He had recently undergone a Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin style makeover with his acclaimed album ‘Wagonmaster’ introducing him to a new market and younger audience. This renaissance combined with the ‘The White Stripes’ support slot created a genuine excitement around him at such a late stage in his career.

His appearance at Madison Square Garden was great fun with the alcohol fuelled New Yorkers whooping “Yee Haw” at every opportunity. It perhaps wasn’t the sort of music your average East Coast American would listen to but the entire audience went with it. The set included his version of ‘The Green Green Grass of Home’ and his emotive last single ‘Committed to Parkview’ (Check out the video on Youtube if you get the chance). The one thing that struck me about his performance was how good his voice still sounded at 79 years of age. He had to be assisted on to and then off the stage but in front of the microphone his age wasn’t an issue. The following night he appeared on 'The David Letterman Show’. We queued up to apply for tickets at the Ed Sullivan Theatre the next morning but sadly we were unsuccessful. Despite his age you really got the sense that there was more to come from Porter Wagoner.

Ironically on Monday, the day I heard of Porter Wagoner’s passing, I was meant to see ‘The White Stripes’ in Cardiff, a date cancelled due to Meg White’s health problems. I imagine had the concert gone ahead we’d have witnessed some sort of tribute from the band, something I’d have loved to have seen.