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Grand Ole Opry Revival in Hollywood
(l-r): Billy Bob Thornton, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, and Dwight Yoakam perform a surprise set before Neko Case @ The Henry Fonda Theatre. Photo courtesy Ice Cream Man.
For the first time in recent history, Hollywood was rattled by bonafide foot-stomping. Many in the audience at the Music Box last night had no idea what was taking place when Neko Case announced Porter Wagoner's intention to take over Hollywood. But a historic buzz took hold when an old man in a purple rhinestone Nudie suit strutted out to the stage and launched into "A Satisfied Mind" with Case at his side.
The 79-year-old Wagoner, who sounded as if he was singing with very few teeth in his mouth, is known by the MySpace generation as one of the figures on the much-forwarded "application to be a redneck." He also appeared in Season 2 Episode 9 of Ali G to provide songwriting inspiration for Borat.
In real life, he was the host of the syndicated Porter Wagoner Show from 1960-79 and is credited as the man who "discovered" Dolly Parton. Wagoner is one of the oldest surviving members of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Marty Stuart, who played alongside Wagoner for the entire mini-set, is known for his bluegrass style and for backing up Johnny Cash in the 1980's. Dwight Yoakam, the country music stud of the late 80's and early 90's, joined on a few songs and Billy Bob Thornton, the country boy actor and Angelina ex-beau ably handled the drums on "Satan's River" and "Green Grass of Home."
While the mini-set was exhilirating, Neko Case's set was still the highlight of the night. Her genre-bending songwriting and to-die-for voice filled the packed Music Box and left us wanting more.
Wagoner and Neko setlist and video of Porter Wagoner with Dolly Parton from 1973 after the jump.
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For amazing photos from the show, see Ice Cream Man's review.
Porter Wagoner Setlist:
A Satisfied Mind
Rubber Room
Committed to Parkview
Albert Erving
Men With Broken Hearts
Satan't River
Green Grass of Home
Photo by Nancy via flickr.
Neko Case Setlist:
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Things That Scare Me
Buckets of Rain
The Tigers Have Spoken
Set Out Running
I Wish I Was The Moon
Hold On Hold On
That Teenage Feeling
Margaret vs. Pauline
Dirty Knife
Soulful Shade of Blue
Favorite
Maybe Sparrow
Star Witness
Deep Red Bells
Lady Pilot
John Saw That Number
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton on the Porter Wagoner Show circa 1973:
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