RIP Entertainment Original Porter Wagoner

[Okla-homey]

Porter Wagoner 1927-2007

Passed away over the weekend at age 80. Porter Wayne Wagoner was born August 12, 1927 of Irish-German heritage in the Ozarks of Missouri near the Arkansas border.

Porter Wagoners’ broad smile, flashy costume and memorable songs are the very image of a country music star. Indeed, he is an icon in the music industry. The “Thin Man From West Plains” (Missouri), is among the most recognized names and images in all of country music.


Porter, his band the Wagonmasters and the little gal with the big voice, (among other things) on the set of his weekly television program popular in the 1970's.

His grand showmanship, his rhinestone suits, his loyalty to the Grand Ole Opry, his TV leadership, his championing of Dolly Parton, his unique singing voice, his exquisite recitations, his songwriting, and especially, his record production, have all culminated in the legacy that is Porter Wagoner.

[TUSooner]

I used to cringe whenever my beloved GM and GP used to watch that show.
I'm a lot more appreciative of different things now.

[soonerboy_odanorth]

Actually got to see ol' Porter at the Opry, which mainly was fun because of the story my folks told me of getting to see Porter with Ms. Dolly backing at the old OKC Ballroom when they were attending OU.

[bluedogok]

He replaced my cousin on a TV show that he hosted for six years at the start of TNN called Opryland on Stage. Wagoner lobbied to get the show and it was canceled about a year later.