Porter Wagoner, known as “The Thin Man from West Plains,” died Sunday at age 80, the same day country music dignitaries gathered at the Hall to induct its three newest members.A hit-maker for more than a quarter-century, he was a Country Music Hall of Fame member and a three-time Grammy winner whose best-loved singles included “A Satisfied Mind,” “Misery Loves Company” and “Green, Green Grass of Home.”
His syndicated television show allowed him to serve as an ambassador for the genre, and it proved invaluable in spreading the fame of Wagoner’s hand-picked “girl singer,” Dolly Parton, with whom he had hit duets including “Just Someone I Used To Know” and “Making Plans.”
An Opry star since 1957, the well-loved Wagoner had been the show's goodwill ambassador for many years and was photographed by fans millions of times as he clowned onstage in the flashy rhinestone suits that became one of his trademarks.
After suffering a near-fatal stomach aneurysm in 2006, he later recorded a new album, Wagonmaster, released earlier this year.
I enjoyed watched the Porter Wagoner TV show in the 1960’s.
When Norma Jean left the TV show in 1967, Wagoner auditioned dozens of "girl singers" to replace her and finally picked a 20-year-old blonde bombshell from the hills of East Tennessee named Dolly Parton.
Parton proved to be Wagoner's finest moment as a talent scout. Beneath Parton's obvious beauty lived a powerful singer-songwriter whose artistic stature grew with the passing years.
Parton also became a perfect duet partner for Wagoner. He got her on the Grand Ole Opry and RCA Records and, of course, featured her on his road shows.
The years of their association (1967-1974) produced a stunning 14 Top 10 duet hits as Parton the solo artist matured and prospered under Wagoner's supervision.
Dolly Parton would have eventually gained fame on her own, but it was Porter Wagoner who advanced her career at a young age.
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