From 1970-75, Dolly made guest appearances on the hugely popular musical variety show 'Hee Haw.' The show’s winning format cast side-splitting skits alongside musical performances by newcomers and country greats. During her first appearance, which aired in 1970, Dolly performed 'My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.'
'Dolly Day' or 'Dolly Days' began in 1970. Dolly credits Porter Wagoner as having a hand in the success of the first event and the production of the live album, "A Real Live Dolly," she recorded during the first Dolly Day. She said,
"He insisted that the event be produced as a live album, and he arranged for many well-known Nashville musicians to be a part of it. The album was a success and it made me very proud."
Many festivities were planned, including a Dolly Parade with Dolly as the grand marshal. The annual homecoming event is hosted in her hometown of Sevierville, Tenn.
In September 1967, soon after the highly successful release of her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," Porter Wagoner invited Dolly to perform on his hit syndicated television show "The Porter Wagoner Show." Porter was a popular American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. Known as Mr. Grand Ole Opry, Wagoner charted 81 singles from 1954–1983. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002. When describing Porter, Dolly said,
"We could all relate to his sense of humor and his ‘good ol’ boy’ ways. I could relate to his shiny bright costumes, his flashy smile, and his blond helmet."
Their on-screen chemistry was immediate and fans quickly embraced them and their music. The show’s popularity grew and became the No. 1 syndicated show in American. Each 30-minute episode generally featured performances by Porter, Dolly and a special guest. Beloved comedian, Speck Rhodes also contributed to the show’s relaxed format and Dolly and Porter often performed duets.
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View a rare video clip of Dolly Parton singing "Mule Skinner Blues" on "The Porter Wagoner Show" via Vimeo.
After their contract with Combine Music ended, Dolly and Uncle Bill made a strategic move to start their own publishing company. Using parts of their last names, they called it Owe-Par. Their proven chemistry and talent made a great combination. Dolly said,
"As writers we were on the same wavelength. We wrote a lot of great songs together... We had the same kind of energy when it came to our careers. Neither of us ever gave out as long as something was happening or at least had the look of something that might happen."
As songwriters, they had experienced success with Bill Phillips' versions of their "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" and "The Company You Keep." Owe-Par Publishing Company allowed Dolly and Uncle Bill to copyright their songs for themselves. It was a significant business move for Dolly at 20 years old, especially because she held a controlling interest in the company.
Click below for a preview of "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" via SoundCloud.
While Uncle Bill Owens had been touring with Carl and Pearl Butler playing guitar, Dolly had been appearing on early morning shows such as "The Ralph Emery Show" and "The Eddie Hill Show." The two received a break when Fred Foster owner of Combine Music and Monument Records agreed to sign them to a publishing and recording deal.
Dolly recorded "I Wasted My Tears" (her first Monument single) and "What do You Think About Lovin," both written by Dolly and Bill Owens. She followed up with "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" and "Old Enough to Know Better."
During this same time period, Foster brought Ray Stevens in to produce Dolly's single, "Busy Signal," written by Stevens. The B-side, "I Took Him for Granted," was written by Dolly and Bill Owens.Foster invested a lot in Dolly’s career and even booked her on "American Bandstand." Foster said,
"I told Dolly, she would be a gigantic movie star someday. And she said, 'I think you have lost your mind.' Then I said, 'I didn’t have much to lose anyway Dolly, it’s okay.'"
"Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" brought success to Monument Records, charting at No. 108 on the pop charts and becoming Dolly's first charting single.
