The Singles Collection 1952-62

Porter Wagoner was, for more than a quarter of a century, one of the most recognisable and high-profile stars in country music, his impressive stature, his mane of blond hair and his flashy colourful suits constantly placed in the public eye on his hugely popular TV show, which began in 1961. It was on that TV show that Wagoner introduced the young Dolly Parton to country audiences, and they had a successful screen and recording partnership which lasted into the mid-70s. However, by the time that TV show as launched, he had already been recording for the best part of a decade, and it is that formative era when he enjoyed his initial successes which is addressed by this collection. This great value 60-track 2-CD set comprises selected A and B sides from the 35 singles which he released on RCA from his 1952 debut through to 1962, with at least one side from every release included. It naturally features all his fourteen country hits from that era, including the No. 1s “A Satisfied Mind” from 1955 and the Jerry Reed song “Misery Loves Company” from 1961, along with other Top 10 entries such as “Company's Comin'”, “Eat, Drink And Be Merry”, “What Would You Do?”, “Your Old Love Letters” and “I've Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand”. It’s a showcase for a style which ranged from innovative hard country through to more traditional sentimental ballads, and which helped make him such a key figure in the genre over subsequent decades.