When I was a kid in the 70s, I remember seeing Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner sing on television every week. Sometimes I would watch them on Porter’s television show, sometimes they would appear on the Grand Ole Opry when it was televised, and sometimes they were on The Wilburn Brother’s Show.
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Popularity in the Country Music
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner was a top country and western act of the 70s. During their popularity in the 60s and 70s, they could be seen singing on shows like the Porter Wagoner, Wilburn Brothers, and The Grand Ole Opry.
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton Album Recordings
During their duet act, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner had recorded seven albums on vinyl. Even though they had seven albums, they could be seen performing their songs on the Grand Ole Opry, the Porter Wagoner Show, and the Wilburn Brother Show.
Dolly and Porter’s Duet Downfall
After the duet split up in the mid 70s, both had recorded numerous albums with their solo careers. Dolly and Porter had other singles released in the early and mid 70s even until their duet split.
Apparently due to creative differences, the duet decided to go their own way.
Names of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton Albums
While Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner record seven vinyl records together. The five albums that had ten songs on them were: Together Always, Porter and Dolly, Say Forever You’ll Be Mine, Once More, and We Found It. Just the Two of Us is their only album that had twelve songs. There was a Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Greatest Hits released. These seven albums were released on a vinyl record.
However, they did have albums released on 8-track tapes. Sweet Harmony is one that was released on an 8-track tape.
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner’s Most Popular Songs
As a duet, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, had more success with their singles over their albums charting on Billboard. There are many more than the songs listed below their followers would recognize as their most popular songs. Their singles were released on 45 LPs during the periods listed for release.
Just Between You and Me was the title song from the same album and they were released in 1968. This single was backed with Holding on to Nothin.’
Just Someone I Used to Know and My Hands are Tied was released in 1969.
In 1971 Burning the Midnight Oil and More than Words Can Tell were released as two more singles.
Come to Me and If Teardrops Were Pennies were the two singles that were popular in 1973.
Please Don’t Stop Loving Me was the only single by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton released in 1974.
In 1976 these four songs, Is Forever Longer Than Always, If I Say I Can, We’ll Get Ahead Someday, Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark, were released
Movies Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Appeared In
Together Dolly and Porter never appeared in any movies together. In their separate careers, they both appeared in movies.
If you follow Clint Eastwood’s movie career, you should have watched “Honkytonk Man.” Porter Wagoner had a role in this popular 80’s movie with Clint Eastwood. While this was the only movie Wagoner appeared in, he did host a tribute to James Brown called “The Godfather of Soul” at the Grand Ole Opry in 1979.
Dolly stared in 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Lilly Tomlin, The Best Little Whorehouse with Burt Reynolds, and Rhinestone with Sylvester Stallone in her early acting career.
Awards Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Won
Porter and Dolly had won Vocal Group of the Year in 1968 at the CMAs.
Where Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Now?
Porter Wagoner died of lung cancer in 2007.
As of late, Dolly Parton can be found at her theme park, Dollywood. Dollywood celebrates its 25th year of operations in 2010.
Is Dolly Parton Planning a Comeback?
Although Dolly has recorded albums in 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2009, at this time there isn’t any buzz about Dolly planning a comeback tour. Since Porter has died, a duet comeback is obviously impossible.
Sources
Porter Wagoner Bio; PorterWagoner.com
Dolly Parton Bio; iTunes.com
Stephen M. Silverman; Grand Ole Opry Star Porter Wagoner Dies; People.com
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton; Rateyourmusic.com
