Happy Birthday, WAGONMASTER!! One of the happiest days in my music life was the day I met Porter Wagoner. This was taken a few months before he passed. I have many musical heroes that I never got to meet in person - or even see live in person. Never met Waylon (missed him by two weeks), Cash, or Dottie. But I stood with Porter Wagoner on the Ryman Stage before his show one night. The building was completely quiet. Only a handful of people in the whole building, scattered about running errands needed for the Opry show later that night. Porter just started telling stories, Country Music history dripping from his words. I was nervous but riveted. I was there at the invitation of a friend of his & he welcomed me like family. Im sure he did that with everyone. He was charming, funny, a bit odd and absolutely wonderful. Later that night, I was with his assistant in his dressing room when all of a sudden, he changed his pants right in front of me!! He just talked away, standing there in his boxers & all his glory hanging out, then put on one of his famous suits. Cracks me up, remembering. Ill never forget it! That dressing room is gone now, which gives me a shudder. Perhaps in another dimension it exists in a world where Hank, Waylon & the greats come to visit. That room was incredible. Despite their complicated history, Dolly dominated his wall in photos along with other legends. Porter had a strong personality but was it was a quietly strong one. I wouldnt want to piss him off, though. You could tell he could hold his own. But, his demeanor was that of a true country gentleman. And obviously, he was not shy! Hehe. Porter Wagoner was one of the Greats. Not just because of what he did for country music and his own talent, but because he LOVED the music so much. The twinkle in his eye was pure light when he talked about someone elses music. From his TV show, to his many recordings, to the Opry he became Legend. He was family to Marty Stuart & Martys graciousness and love/reverence for Country Music history, I truly believe, came from his father/son type relationship with Porter. I always wanted to record the song Please Dont Stop Lovin Me, my favorite song of his that he recorded with Dolly. I talked to Dale Watson about it years and years ago, but just like so many ideas it never came to fruition. Maybe one day. #GodBlessPorterWagoner #WagonmasterLives
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 19:11:28 +0000
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