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Fondly known as Mr Grand Ole Opry, Porter Wagoner became a
member of the Opry in 1957 and today is one of the most popular
artists appearing on this WSM Friday/Saturday night syndicated live
radio show. For 21 years the Porter Wagoner Show held top viewing on
network TV, finally being carried by a total of 100 stations across
the USA. Started in 1960, Wagoner's show was a key factor in
popularising country and gospel music. One of the fundamental
ingredients of the show was Porter's female duet partners. Norma
Jean was the first who left the show in 1967 to get married and
being replaced by Porter's most outstanding singing partner Dolly
Parton. During their seven-year singing partnership Porter &
Dolly produced many Top-Ten hits as well as winning many awards
including CMA Vocal group (1968), Vocal Duo (1970 and 71). In 2002
Porter Wagoner was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in
Nashville.
Today Pamela Rose Gadd appears weekly with Porter on the Grand
Ole Opry. In 1999 Pam was nominated for the International Bluegrass
Association's "Emerging Artist Of The Year" award. In
2002, Pam's Top-Ten Bluegrass hit, "Virginia Man" was
nominated for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music's
"Song Of The Year".
Something To Brag About
is certainly ideally titled as this creative singing  partnership
dole-out 10 delicious tracks showcasing their world-class
collective powerhouse of talent. The album is released on
Gusto Records in Nashville who purchased the extensive King/Starday
collection of record masters around 1974. The title track
sets the ball rolling, closely followed by "On
The Rebound" and "Don't
Let Me Cross Over". Porter & Pam pursue
love, passion and desperation through a fine portrait of
two #1 hits for Tammy Wynette; Jones/Wynette "Golden
Ring" from 1976 and the 1967 Houston/Wynette
"My Elusive Dreams".
Other fine classics that last a lifetime include "The
Door Is Always Open", "Queen
Of The Silver Dollar" and a particular compelling
reading of the inimitable cheating song "Yes,
Mr Peters". The Cash/Carter hit "Jackson"
takes a lot to equal and I'm sorry to say that even Porter
and Pam don't quite make it on this timeless duet.
Gusto Records offers a top-rate album with Something To Brag
About. As Porter Wagoner and Pam Gadd weave their way through this
sensitive and captivating collection, the backing musicians are of
the very best as you would expect. Sadly due to the brief liner
notes accompanying the CD, there is no mention of the musicians who
have lent their musical talent to this commendable collection. |
