Got A Tip?
tips2.jpg
About LAist

LAist is a website about Los Angeles. More

Editor: Zach Behrens Publisher: Gothamist

About | Archive | Contact | Mobile | RSS | Staff

Categories
Recent Comments
Favorites
Contribute

Latest tip:

More on <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless12-2008oct12,0,4595570.story" re [more]

 

Latest link:

 

Latest Photo:

 

Subscribe
Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from LAist.
Neighborhood Project, Los Angeles Communities

Links

February 18, 2007

Grand Ole Opry Revival in Hollywood

Marty Stuart, Billy Bob Thornton, Porter Wagoner, Dwight Yoakam

(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.

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

Marty Stuart, Billy Bob Thornton, Porter Wagoner, Dwight Yoakam at Fonda Music Box, feb 17 07

Photo by Nancy via flickr.

Neko Case Setlist:

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:

Email This Entry







Advertisement: LAist Continues Below!

Comments (2) [rss]

Great news ;) great article... do you have any more pictures? Love that fact that you update the site with current photos.. Dwight has been The Invisible Man lately. You have alot of fans watching your site now.

I love seeing BillyBob out and about with Dwight :)... great combo.

Cheers to Porter Wagoner !

 

Great news ;) great article... do you have any more pictures? Love that fact that you update the site with current photos.. Dwight has been The Invisible Man lately. You have alot of fans watching your site now.

I love seeing BillyBob out and about with Dwight :)... great combo.

Cheers to Porter Wagoner !

 
Post a comment (Comment Policy)

2003-2008 Gothamist LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. We use MovableType.