Grand Ole Opry star Porter Wagoner.
June 15, 2007 — Country legend Porter Wagoner tells Billboard.com that the release of his new CD Wagonmaster last week is "like the start of my career again," even though he has 55 years of recording behind him, with more than 80 charting country singles.
The Marty Stuart-produced album is his first country album in seven years, following several gospel releases. It also comes after a near-fatal aortic aneurysm he suffered in July 2006, shortly after he and Marty began to work on the album.
But even though that episode "really knocked a lot out of me," Porter says his brush with mortality made Wagonmaster that much more important to him.
"I just want the record to be the best one I've ever done," he says, "because it could be the last one I'll ever do. If it is, I want it to be the best one I've done. I feel like you should get better all the time at the craft of what you do. I love gospel music, but it's great to get back and do this, too. This is really my forte, country music."
Last month, Porter celebrated his 50th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry, joined by former protégé/partner Dolly Parton and Patty Loveless. Porter and Marty are also discussing plans to play shows this summer to support the new album.
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