His first band, The Blue Ridge Boys, performed on radio station KWPM from a butcher shop in his native West Plains, Missouri where Wagoner cut meat. Wagoner's big break came in 1951, when he was hired as a performer by station KWTO in Springfield, Missouri. This led to a contract with RCA Records. With lagging sales, Wagoner and his trio played schoolhouses for the gate proceeds.
In 1953, his song entitled "Trademark" became a hit for Carl Smith, followed by a few hits of his own on RCA. He was a featured performer on ABC's Ozark Jubilee and moved to Nashville and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957.
Wagoner was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002. His 81 charted records include "Satisfied Mind" (#1, 1955), “Misery Loves Company” (#1, 1962), “I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand” (#7, 1962–1963), “Sorrow on the Rocks” (#5, 1964), “Green, Green Grass of Home” (#4, 1965), “Skid Row Joe” (#3, 1965–1966), “The Cold Hard Facts of Life” (#2, 1967), and “The Carroll County Accident” (#2, 1968–1969). Among his hit duets with Dolly Parton were a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind" (1967), "We'll Get Ahead Someday" (1968), "Just Someone I Used To Know" (1969), "Better Move it on Home" (1971), "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" (#1, 1974) and "Making Plans" (#2, 1980). He also won three Grammy Awards for gospel recordings.
The Porter Wagoner Show ran on syndicated television from 1960 to 1981. There were 686 thirty minute episodes filmed, the first 104 being shot in black and white, the remainder in color. At its peak, it was featured in over 100 markets, with an average viewership of over three million. Reruns of the program currently air on the rural cable network RFD-TV.
Wagoner brought James Brown to the Grand Ole Opry, produced a rhythm & blues album for Joe Simon, and appeared in the Clint Eastwood film Honkytonk Man. [1] During the mid 1980s, Wagoner formed an all girl group called The Right Combination which was named after one of Porter and Dolly Parton's hit records. He also hosted "Opry Backstage" during the 1990s on The Nashville Network where he interviewed guests. Though Parton's departure caused some animosity on both sides, the two reconciled in the late 1980s and have appeared together a number of times in the years since; Parton inducted Wagoner into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wagoner made a guest appearance on the HBO comedy series Da Ali G Show, being interviewed by the fictional character Borat, in its second season.
On July 14, 2006, Wagoner was hospitalized and underwent surgery for an abdominal aneurysm.
Wagoner was honored on May 19, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry for both his fifty years of membership and his 80th birthday. This was telecast on GAC's Grand Ole Opry Live that day with artists such as Stuart, Parton, and Patty Loveless. Grand Ole Opry Live host Nan Kelley was part of the birthday celebration as well.
On June 05, 2007, Wagoner released his final album called Wagonmaster. The album was produced by Marty Stuart for the Anti-label. This album received the best reviews ever in Porter's career and briefly charted on the country charts.
Wagoner also toured during the summer of 2007 to promote the album. One of these was opening for the rock group The White Stripes at a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Wagoner's publicist Darlene Bieber announced on October 19, 2007 that the singer had been hospitalized and was in very serious condition. WSMV-TV reported that Wagoner was admitted earlier that week for observation from an illness. Bieber gave no further information but said that the country star was asking for prayers from his family and fans.
On October 21, 2007, his publicist confirmed that Wagoner had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
On October 26, 2007, Porter was released into hospice care. He died two days later in Nashville, Tennessee. Wagoner's funeral was held on November 1, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry House followed by interrment at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.
Up until his illness and death, he appeared regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and toured actively.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Y
Porter Wagoner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
In Porter Wagoner's gospel-influenced song titled "Why me Lord," he explores the feeling of unworthiness and gratitude towards God. The song's first lines express the singer's disbelief that he has known any pleasure or goodness in life, and he wonders why he deserves any of it. He then asks the Lord what he did to deserve such love and kindness. This question is likely rhetorical, as the singer is expressing feelings of humility rather than seeking an answer. In the chorus, Wagoner admits to having squandered opportunities and wasted aspects of his life, but now he knows that he needs Jesus to guide him. The final verse shifts from the singer asking the Lord for help to asking if there's a way he can repay God for all he's been given. The song seems to end on a hopeful note, as the singer hopes to give back and find his way back to God.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was not originally written by Porter Wagoner. It was written by Kris Kristofferson, who wrote several other country gospel hits including "Why Me Lord's" also popularized by Kristofferson's version. Another interesting fact is that this song became Wagoner's most popular and charted song, climbing to number one in 1973. The song has been covered by multiple artists, including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Additionally, the song is often used in religious ceremonies and funerals due to its message of humility and gratitude towards God.
The chords for "Why Me Lord" are as follows:
Verse:
G D G C G
D G D C G
Chorus:
G D G C G
D G D C G
Line by Line Meaning
Why me Lord, what have I ever done
I feel unworthy, Lord. Please tell me what I have done to deserve all the good things in my life.
To deserve even one
I feel like I don't deserve any of the good things in my life.
Of the pleasures I've known
I have experienced many pleasures and blessings in my life, but I don't understand why.
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
Lord, please tell me what I did to deserve your love and kindness.
That was worth loving you
I don't feel like I have done anything to deserve your love and affection, Lord.
Or the kindness you've shown.
I am grateful for your kindness, Lord, but I don't understand why you are so good to me.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
I have squandered the blessings you've given me, Lord, and I need your help to make things right.
Help me Jesus I know what I am
I am aware of my faults and weaknesses, Lord, and I need your guidance and support to overcome them.
Now that I know that I've need you so
I realize that I am dependent on you, Lord, and I need your help to lead a better life.
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
I am putting my trust in you, Lord, to guide and protect me.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
Lord, I am willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. Please show me the way.
I can try to repay
I am willing to make amends for my mistakes and give back to others.
All I've taken from you
I realize that everything I have comes from you, Lord, and I want to show my gratitude.
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
Perhaps I can use my experiences to help others who are struggling, Lord.
What I've been through myself
I have been through trials and hardships, Lord, and I want to use those experiences to help others.
On my way back to you.
I am on a journey towards you, Lord, and I am committed to making things right.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CRF
He didn’t even have to try to be cool, he just was. Hell of a showman.
Christopher Zdunek
My daughter has to sing this in chorus class
Barbara Ervin
I haven't seen him in forever and it's so good to find this video
Steev Rawjers
excellent musicians too
mosrite60
Any names? All seem very good.
Steev Rawjers
@mosrite60 i do not know the names but they are good
mosrite60
@Steev Rawjers seems the lady on fiddle and tele played on Nashville Now or one of those shows. Also on Bill Gaiters gospel records. Shes very talented for sure.
Eddie Hill
Those noody suits were cool
Amanda
This song reminds me of family 🍖 xd