The Evolution Of Dolly Parton

Career In Motion

After her success with her country album, Parton was asked to be on The Porter Wagoner Show, which was a syndicated television program and to join his road show. Parton replaced Norma Jean, which the audience was not happy about. The audience voiced their opinion by chanting for Norma Jean on a regular basis.

This didn’t stop Dolly and she was eventually accepted by the audience with the help of Wagoner. Parton and Wagoner put out a lot of hits together where they hit a six-year streak of top ten single. Dolly was on this show for seven years and ended her career on the show in 1974.

Struggling Solo Career

Dolly was signed onto the RCA Victor label while she was working with Wagoner. Her first solo single for the company was “Just Because I’m a Woman.” It was released in the summer of 1968 and reached No. 17 on the charts, which was considered a moderate success.

Even though Parton kept putting out singles throughout the late ’60s, none of her songs made it as high on the list as the songs she and Wagoner put out together. Eventually, Wagoner convinced Parton to record “Mule Skinner Blues” that was originally recorded by Jimmie Rodgers. This is what set her solo career in motion.