RIP: the "Wagonmaster"

Schonyenko2 · #1 10-30-2007, 10:18 AM

I believe I saw him in concert in about 64. or 65. Think I was about 12 or 13. I saw them all back then. Hank Snow, Hank Thompsen, Little Jimmy Dickins, Roger Miller, Sonny James. They used to play at the Masonic temple in Davenport. My dad was a big fan so off we'd go.First couple bands I played in were both country, and western.
Hee haw had Buck Owens (saw him too). He had some cross over/covers with the Beatles. (progressive country).
Amazing where it's all gone, and the transition it's made.And since we can't discuss politics anymore all I'll say is thank God they don't wear Nudie suits anymore, and bless the Dixie chicks little pea pickin hearts.(Tennese Ernie Ford).

Belair62 · #2 10-31-2007, 07:19 AM

There is no Country music anymore. Maybe it's time we got back...to the basics... Go ahead Schoney...finish it.

**Mr70** · #3 10-31-2007, 07:46 AM

..of love.
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"Four-car garage and we're still buildin' on"..-WJ

Schonyenko2 · #4 10-31-2007, 09:49 AM

I ain't goin to Lukenbock Texas with Willie or Waylen. Willie used to be a regular guest on the Hank Snow show. Looked a lot different then.
You can have Dolly, Reba, Shania, all of em.
Just let me put on a little Patsey Cline. And while I like Bocephious, you can't beat the man from Montgomery, ole Hank hisself.
Damn near makes me want to sit in a smoky bar, and start drinkin again.

"the moon just went...behind a cloud...

**PeteLeathersac** · #5 10-31-2007, 06:51 PM

I watched that tribute show a few months ago w/ Merle, Willie and Porter...he didn't look well but pulled off his numbers pretty well.. Hafta' admit I was tuned in more for Asleep at the wheel...I never get enough of big Ray and appreciate how he's kept the western swing sound alive!.
Today's Country music has a few exceptions but for the most part is a Fart Brooks/Shania way of doing things now...keep pumping a buncha' dough into something to keep the kite afloat while pretending it's a wonderful thing and people buy it anyway..
RIP Porter...hope your enjoying a few drinks w/ Ernest Tubb and jamming w/ Buck, Hank, Chet, Bob Wills and the boys!.

~ Pete

71-LS6 · #6 11-01-2007, 08:21 AM

Rob, Porter Wagner was my dad's cousin. That half of the family was all from Howell county MO. or Fulton county AR. Every time his TV show came on, my old man would tell me stories about Porter when he was a kid in West Plains.
After I grew up, I married a girl whose grandmother is Roy Clark's cousin. Our daughter is 26 years old now and has not exhibited any desire to start a country music career, even though her mom resembles Dolly Parton too!

Schonyenko2 · #7 11-01-2007, 08:51 AM

Let me correct that. Willie was on the Ernest Tubbs show, not Hank Snow.
Pete you mention Bob Wills, the king of Texas swing. I've always been facinated by how different areas of the country spawned their own style of country. Texas swing is a perfect example of that. Very unique blend of several types of music to create it. Hank Thompsen also shared that style and added the waltzs.

The moon just went...behind a cloud...and I'm so lonesome I could cry.

Belair you flunked.

**737Driver** · #8 11-01-2007, 09:42 AM

Porter was a car guy. He ordered a new 67 427/435 Corvette coupe from Capital Chevrolet. It was Marina Blue with bright blue interior and had a tele column and bolt-on wheels. I was the first owner outside the state of TN. I ended up getting a copy of the original bill of sale from the TN DMV.
Mark

Chevy454 · #9 11-01-2007, 06:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rob, Porter Wagner was my dad's cousin. That half of the family was all from Howell county MO. or Fulton county AR. Every time his TV show came on, my old man would tell me stories about Porter when he was a kid in West Plains.

[/ QUOTE ]
Dang, Hodges, I thought you acted like you had a little Hillbilly in your blood! LOL!! I'd just always heard Porter was from "Howell County", but since West Plains is the only thing worth mentioning in Howell County they kind of adopted him...seems like he was from the southern part of the county, around Moody or Bakersfield or Lanton or somewhere? Any of those ring a bell? Fulton County is directly south of Howell County...what towns are your family in, Starkey, Camp, maybe Viola or Gepp?

Mark: what happened to his 'Vette? Pretty cool car to order new!

Chevy454 · #10 11-01-2007, 06:31 PM

Schonye: good point...also add Buck Owens and what he brought out of Bakersfield...in our neck of the woods we start getting pretty heavy into the bluegrass part of the world, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs & Union Station now.

Little bit of trivia, the idea/inspiration for the Grand Old Opry supposedly came from a show in Mammoth Spring, AR, which is about 17 miles south of us here in Fulton County...every year they have a "Solemn Old Judge Days" festival in honor of George D. Hay, the creator of the Grand Old Opry.

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