1967career
The Porter Wagoner Show
1969
The Porter Wagoner Show — the weekly stage that introduced her to America
Photo creditWagoner became her mentor and duet partner. They won CMA Vocal Group of the Year in 1968. But Dolly's ambition outgrew the partnership. Leaving was painful — she wrote "I Will Always Love You" as her farewell.
Did you know
Dolly signed away significant songwriting credits early in her career — a lesson that fueled her later insistence on owning her work.