15 Facts About Porter Wagoner

1.

Porter Wayne Wagoner was an American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour.

2.

Porter Wagoner became part of a well-known vocal duo with him from the late 1960s to the early 1970s.

3.

Porter Wagoner was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

4.

Porter Wagoner often appeared on the show as part of the Porter Wagoner Trio with Don Warden and Speedy Haworth.

5.

Porter Wagoner's syndicated television program, The Porter Wagoner Show, aired from 1960 to 1981.

6.

In 1974, Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You", written about her professional break from Porter Wagoner, went to number one on the country music chart.

7.

Porter Wagoner hosted Opry Backstage during the 1990s on The Nashville Network.

8.

Porter Wagoner made a guest appearance on the HBO comedy series Da Ali G Show in 2004, its second season, interviewed by Borat Sagdiyev.

9.

Porter Wagoner was honored on August 12,2007, his 80th birthday, at the Grand Ole Opry for his 50 years of membership.

10.

On June 5,2007, Porter Wagoner released his final album, called Wagonmaster.

11.

Porter Wagoner toured during the summer of 2007 to promote the album, including a late-July appearance on Late Show with David Letterman.

12.

Porter Wagoner was married twice, to Velma Johnson for less than a year in 1943, and Ruth Olive Williams from 1946 to 1986, though they separated 20 years before the divorce.

13.

Porter Wagoner died from lung cancer in Nashville on October 28,2007, with his family and Dolly Parton at his side.

14.

Porter Wagoner's funeral was held November 1,2007, at the Grand Ole Opry House.

15.

Porter Wagoner is buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.