Porter Wagoner

from findagrave.com

born Aug 12 1927 West Plains, MO

died Oct 28 2007 Nashville, TN

musician. for over 5 decades he was known as the image of country music for his showmanship and rhinestone suits. in 1952 he signed with RCA Records, released Hank Williams 'Settin' the Woods on Fire', and had his first top 10 hit in 1954, with 'Company's Comin'.' he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957 & remained one of it's most popular stars for his whole career. in 1960 he started the syndicated 'Porter Wagoner Show' which aired for 21 years and was a key factor in popularizing country and gospel music across the United States. through the 1960s his hits, many that he wrote or co-wrote, were 'Carroll County Accident', 'A Satisfied Mind', 'Company's Comin', 'Skid Row Joe', 'Misery Loves Company', and 'Green Green Grass of Home.' he helped launch Dolly Parton's career by hiring her as his duet partner. they were the Country Music Associations Duo Of The Year in 1970 & 1971, a hit duet was 'The Last Thing On My Mind.'

in the 1980s he continued to perform on The Grand Ole Opry , toured and appeared in the movie 'Honky Tonk Man' with Clint Eastwood. With the new Nashville Network Porter rec'd more appearances on The Grand Ole Opry and exposure in the international tv market. He has been awarded 4 Grammy Awards, 3 for gospel music. in later years he remained successful recording albums with a country-gospel flavor. his last album was 'Gospel 2006', with the hit 'The Dream (A True Story)'. inducted into The Country Music Hall in 2002.