Victoria Liedtke and Jason Ringenberg have paired their voices to create an album of duets. However, why just do ordinary duets when you can dial up the challenge? They decided to take on the duets of legends Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner for a new album, “More Than Words Can Tell”. Outside of George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Porter and Dolly may have been next in line as the most influential duet in Country music history. If not, they were certainly one of the most successful. From the mid-sixties to the early seventies, Dolly and Porter released 13 albums together, had 21 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, and in total recorded nearly 140 duets.
It was Wagner who gave Dolly her big break, when he put her on his weekly variety show. The two certainly had successful run. However, eventually things did turn contentious between the two. As Dolly’s career grew, she wanted more control over her own career. Wagner resisted. In part, because she had become an important part of his show, but mostly because he had developed a large financial stake in Dolly’s music. (He even owned 50% of her production company.) Even a casual observer of Dolly’s career and outside enterprises cannot help but notice the business acumen and drive that she has. Something had to give, and Dolly went on to forge her own path. It was sad for both parties though. In fact, Dolly wrote “I Will Always Love You” about Porter Wagner.
This project was conceived and co-produced by Victoria Liedtke. She is originally from Oklahoma, but now lives in England. However, she needed a Porter. In comes Jason Ringenberg. He is best known as the frontman for the uber influential Cow Punk band Jason and the Scorchers. He also performs children’s music under the name Farmer Jason. Instead of focusing on the hits of Porter and Dolly this album is mostly musical gems and little-heard tracks from their expansive back catalog. The goal of the album was not to have Victoria and Jason doing their best Dolly and Porter impersonations. Instead, they put their own stamps on the vocals, which have a rich texture that is all their own. Liedtke took the same approach with the musical production. She used different production methods and arrangements, adding some texture but still honoring the originals and their 60’s and 70’s vintage sound. She and Jason recorded the album at Vale Studios in Worcester, UK, in the Summer of 2022 with a UK-based band.
This album will hook you from the beginning in the same way Dolly and Porter did, but in Victoria and Jason’s own unique way.
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!