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Series Debuts with Country Icon Porter Wagoner
Legends of the Grand Ole Opry: Porter Wagoner Sings His Hits
IN STORES
SEPTEMBER 25th
Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins and More To Follow
In the Coming Months
Fairfax, VA --- One of country music's most revered musical and fashionable icons,
Porter Wagoner will kick off Time Life's new Legends of the Grand Ole Opry series on
September 25th with the release of live performances taken from the show's golden era.
Legends of the Grand Ole Opry: Porter Wagoner Sings His Hits marks the first time these
shows from 1963 through 1967 have been released. It is also the first live album from
Porter Wagoner in over 40 years and the only one currently in print, coinciding with
his fiftieth year as a Grand Ole Opry star. Later this year, Grand Ole Opry performances
by Willie Nelson and Marty Robbins will be available for the first time ever as part of
the new series, with additional releases following in 2008.
Known for his blonde pompadour and flashy Nudie suits, Porter Wagoner is a beloved fixture
in country music, performing "hard" country songs and enjoying chart topping success with
a style all his own. After decades of performing and recording albums, Wagoner still
remains country to the core, actively recording and touring today. His most recent studio
album, Wagonmaster (on Anti Records), has been hailed by critics and embraced by audiences
beyond his country fan base, and helped land him the opening slot on The White Stripes tour
this fall.
Legends of the Grand Ole Opry: Porter Wagoner Sings His Hits features 14 of Wagoner's
favorite songs from his early days at the Opry such as "Satisfied Mind" (which later
became a rock standard after it was recorded by Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito
Brothers), "Come On In (And Make Yourself At Home)," "Green, Green Grass of Home"
(later popularized by Tom Jones and Jerry Lee Lewis), and "I Thought I Heard You Call
My Name." The songs were drawn from the Opry's vast and historic archives and were
originally recorded live before a full house at Nashville's famous Ryman's auditorium.
The Grand Ole Opry has broadcast every week since November 1925, making it America's
longest-running radio show. Country music's top performers have crossed its stage
throughout its 80-plus years. The Grand Ole Opry has never opened its archives to a
commercial record label prior to their partnership with Time Life.
Legends of the Grand Ole Opry: Porter Wagoner Sings His Hits reflects Time Life's
ongoing commitment to bringing top quality American music to life. Over the past two
years, the company launched the Legends of American Music series, featuring critically
acclaimed box sets on Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Louis Armstrong and The Stanley
Brothers. Time Life has also partnered with American music independent record labels
including Rebel Records and HighTone Records.
About Time Life Inc:
Headquartered in Fairfax VA, Time Life Inc. was founded in 1961 as a direct marketing
company specializing in music and books. It has since grown to become one of the
world's largest direct marketers of audio and video products, selling more than
13 million units each year throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia,
and is the largest advertiser of music products in Germany, Australia, and the
United Kingdom. Time-Life set the standard in the direct response industry by
pioneering direct marketing techniques, building one of the most trusted and
recognized brands in commerce. The company now also sells their products through
major traditional and non-traditional retailers around the world as well as via
the Internet. Time Life is a registered trademark of Time Warner Inc. used under
license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc.
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