MUSICPorter Wagoner celebrates his 50th anniversary as an entertainer in 1997 in photos Ricky RogersNashville TennesseanPorter Wagoner is in the spotlight at the start of the taping for "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" by The Nashville Network at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner is in the spotlight at the start of the taping for "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" by The Nashville Network at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner is in the spotlight at the start of the taping for "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" by The Nashville Network at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanLittle Jimmy Dickson, left, appears and ask Porter Wagoner to take a seat and enjoying the following performances in the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" by The Nashville Network at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanBanjo master Mike Snider performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanThe Grand Ladies of the Opry members Jan Howard, left, Jean Shepard, Skeeter Davis and Jeanne Pruett, along with Wilma Lee Cooper and Jeannie Seely, perform during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanWith Wilma Lee Cooper, left, and Jean Shepard, right, looking on, Jan Howard sings as the Grand Ladies of the Opry perform during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanJeannie Seely, left, and Wilma Lee Cooper sings as the Grand Ladies of the Opry perform during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanSkeeter Davis is enjoying performing with the Grand Ladies of the Opry perform during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanJan Howard, left, and Jean Shepard sing as the Grand Ladies of the Opry performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanJean Shepard, left, Skeeter Davis and Jeanne Pruett sing as the Grand Ladies of the Opry perform during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanThe Grand Ladies of the Opry members Jan Howard, left, Jean Shepard, Skeeter Davis and Jeanne Pruett, along with Wilma Lee Cooper and Jannie Seely, point to Porter Wagoner as he sits in the audience during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanGuitar master Steve Wariner performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanGuitar master Steve Wariner performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanGuitar master Steve Wariner performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanJoe Diffie performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanConnie Smith performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanConnie Smith performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanConnie Smith performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanBilly Ray Cyrus performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanVince Gill performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanVince Gill performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanDolly Parton, former duet partner with Porter Wagoner, performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanDolly Parton, former duet partner with Porter Wagoner, performs during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner, left, joins his former duet partner Dolly Parton, as they sing together during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner, left, joins his former duet partner Dolly Parton, as they sing together during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner, left, joins his former duet partner Dolly Parton, as they sing together during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner, left, joins his former duet partner Dolly Parton, as they sing together during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner, left, joins his former duet partner Dolly Parton, as they sing together during the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The TennesseanPorter Wagoner, center, shares a moment with Vince Gill, left, and former duet partner Dolly Parton, during the end of the taping of "Company's Comin': A Salute To Porter Wagoner" at the Grand Ole Opry House April 15, 1997. Wagoner is celebrating his 50th anniversary as an entertainer.Delores Delvin / The Tennessean