Country Stars Remember Porter Wagoner

Grand Ole Opry star Porter Wagoner.

Pictured l-r: Buck Trent, original member of the Wagonmasters (Porter’s band), Marty Stuart, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner and Patty Loveless. Photo by Chris Hollo, Hollophotographics. Copyright Grand Ole Opry 2007.

October 30, 2007 — The country music industry is mourning the loss of Opry star and Country Music Hall of Famer Porter Wagoner, who died Sunday of lung cancer.

Porter's longtime friend and duet partner, Dolly Parton, says she's grateful that she was able to say good-bye to him on Sunday. "I went over on Sunday afternoon and spent his last few hours with Porter and his family, so I was able to say goodbye. I sang for him and prayed with him. It felt good that I had the opportunity to say goodbye properly. His family is very grateful to everyone for all their help."

Marty Stuart, who produced Porter's last album, Wagonmaster, and helped revitalize his career in the past year, says his memories of their time together will help him cope with the loss of his friend. "Losing Porter is going to take a whole lot of getting used to as he's been a part of my life for so long," he says. "I grew up watching his television show in Mississippi and it was as if he were a member of our family. After I got to know him, he was. He was a masterful showman, who understood the art of the final act. He left the world on top. Some of the things that soften the blow of his passing are all the memories from the past year. We made a wonderful record together that got him lots of acclaim, he celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry, he had a new generation of kids in love with him and his music, the awards were coming, the Martin Guitar Company had named a guitar in his honor and he was asked to light the nation's Christmas tree at the Pageant of Peace celebration in Washington, D.C. next month. One of the last things he said to me was, 'You're gonna have to call the President and tell him I won't be able to sing him any Christmas songs this year. Maybe next year.' "

Like many of the younger Opry members, Patty Loveless says Porter played an instrumental role in her career. "Porter was my mentor in the early years of my musical journey and over the years became like family to me. He encouraged me and helped me to fulfill my dreams and was truly and inspiration. I love him and I miss him already."

Dierks Bentley says he visited Porter in the hospital on Tuesday, and Porter led everyone in a prayer. "He thanked God for friends, family and the Grand Ole Opry," he says. "This is a great loss for country music and the Grand Ole Opry. It's also a great loss for me personally because he was a friend I was really just getting to know. I feel blessed for the time I did have with him."

Rodney Atkins tells Dial-Global that his fondest memory of Porter happened on the Opry stage, where Wagoner was a mainstay for 50 years. "I'll never forget it," says Rodney. "The biggest honor, they always said, is if he kind of messed your name up the first time you played. That was a good sign; that was like good luck. And so the first time he introduced me, he said, 'Ladies and Gentleman, from Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, Ronnie Action!' And I go, 'Perfect! That's awesome! That's what I needed.'"