In 1963, Somerset Records released "Hits Made Famous by Country Queens," a compilation album featuring Dolly Parton and Faye Tucker. Dolly sang six songs including one of her own original tunes. The list included Kitty Wells’ breakthrough song, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." Wells' original 1952 release sold more than 800,000 copies and became the first single by a female artist to top the country music charts.
When asked about Kitty, Dolly said,
"Kitty was the first and only Queen of Country Music, no matter what they call the rest of us."
Click below to listen to free song previews of "Hits Made Famous by Country Queens" on SoundCloud,
Dolly sang Wells’ No. 2 hit, "Making Believe" and "Release Me." Both were songs from her 1955 album "Country Hit Parade." Dolly also recorded "Two Little Orphans" and "Little Blossom," both traditional ballads. The album also included one of Dolly’s own original songs, "Letter to Heaven." Faye Tucker recorded several Patsy Cline hits, including "Walkin' After Midnight," "Crazy" and "I Fall to Pieces."
Kitty Wells, the "Queen of Country Music", was born Ellen Muriel Deason, in Nashville, Tennessee on August 30, 1919. She created the role for all other female country singers. "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" recorded in 1952, was her first number-one song. She was the first female to sell a million records and reach number one in the country field. For 14 consecutive years she was voted the nation's number one "Country Female Artist" by all of the trade publications such as Billboard, Cashbox, Record World and Downbeat Magazine. No other Country female artist has ever topped her achievements.[source]
Dolly and her Uncle Bill Owens shared a love of music and songwriting and a passion to break into the music industry. By 1962, the two had written several songs together and put their efforts into being noticed by Nashville music executives. Their determination ultimately led to a meeting with Buddy Killen at Tree Publishing. Buddy liked their songs and signed them to Tree Publishing. Buddy also had Dolly record a demo for Mercury Records.
She recorded "It's Sure Gonna Hurt," a song written by Dolly and her Uncle Bill Owens, and "The Love You Gave Me." Both songs released on Mercury Records received airplay on local stations near Sevierville, TN. Dolly said,
"I will never forget hearing [myself] on a Knoxville station, WIVK. There I was, actually hearing myself sing, not on a tape or studio monitor but on a real radio station that thousands of people were listening to... at that very moment. I was so proud I walked around for days with my chest all stuck out. Somehow, nobody noticed."
With her first single on Goldband Records at age 13, a publishing deal with Tree Publishing just a couple years later, Dolly's recording deal with Mercury Records was the next step towards her journey to stardom. Her relationship with Buddy Killen would prove to be a long, successful part of her professional career and can be credited for much of her incredible success early on.
About Buddy Killen:
William Doyce “Buddy” Killen (November 13, 1932 – November 1, 2006) was a record producer and music publisher, and a former owner of Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the largest country music publishing business, before he sold it in 1989. He was also the owner of Killen Music Group, involved with more diverse genres of music, such as pop and rap. [source]
After making musical connections while performing on the Cas Walker Show, Dolly and her Uncle Bill Owens managed to get a guest spot on the Grand Ole Opry in 1959. Friends, Carl and Pearl Butler were instrumental in getting Jimmy C. Newman to agree to give up one of his regular Saturday night spots to Dolly. Johnny Cash introduced her saying,
"We’ve got a little girl here from up in East Tennessee. Her daddy’s listening to the radio at home and she’s gonna be in real trouble if she doesn’t sing tonight, so let’s bring her out here."
Dolly recalls seeing the classic WSM microphone stand and being in awe standing on the Ryman Auditorium stage. Dolly said,
"As I heard the band play my introduction, I lifted my head and looked up toward the lights. I smiled at the people in the balcony and then let ‘er rip."
Dolly sang George Jones’ song, "You Gotta Be My Baby" and received three encores that night.
Listen to a free song preview below of Dolly singing "You Gotta Be My Baby" via SoundCLoud.
"Puppy Love," written by Dolly at age 11, along with her Uncle Bill Owens, was released by Goldband Records in 1959. The lyrics showcase Dolly’s ability, even at a young age, to write relatable songs. In this upbeat song, she sings about the hot and cold emotions of young love. "Girl Left Alone" written by Dolly, her Aunt Dorothy Jo Owens and Uncle Bill Owens appeared on side B.
Dolly and her grandmother, Rena Owens, took a 30-hour bus trip to the recording studio in Lake Charles, Louisiana to record the songs. Remembering that fateful journey, Dolly said,
"I don’t think I’ll ever forget the way the inside of that bus smelled. It was a combination of diesel fuel, Naugahyde, and people who were going places."
Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Goldband Records was founded by Eddie Shuler. He first started the label to promote his own band, the All-Star Reveliers but soon brought in more artists. In 1954, Boozoo Chavis recorded his hit "Paper In My Shoe" on the Goldband label. Phil Phillips' hit song, "Sea Of Love," also on Goldband, was released the same year as Dolly’s "Puppy Love."
Listen to free song previews of "Puppy Love" and "Girl Left Alone" in the SoundCloud player below.
Click here to view song lyrics for "Puppy Love."
Dolly’s natural talent and drive didn't escape the attention of her Uncle Bill Owens. He saw her potential and had the same vision Dolly had; she was going to be a big star. Encouraging Dolly every step of the way and knocking on door after door, in 1956, Uncle Bill finally brought her to the attention of self-made multi-millionaire Cas Walker.
Walker created a variety show known as the "Farm and Home Hour" to promote his chain of successful grocery stores. The show initially aired as a radio program on WROL-AM and later on WIVK-AM. The show featured artists such as Roy Acuff, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, Carl Smith, Carl Butler, Jim Nabors, and Chet Atkins. Uncle Bill managed to get Dolly backstage during one of the radio shows at WIVK radio station in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In true Dolly style, she would find a way to be heard. She showed her initiative and drive by telling walking up to Cas Walker and telling him that she wanted to work for him. Because of her bold determination, Walker couldn’t resist. Dolly had landed her first radio and television gig at the age of 10 before her family even owned a television.
Listen below to the rare audio clip of Dolly performing on "The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour."
Dolly performed like a seasoned veteran in front of the crowd in the little radio station auditorium for the first time, and they shouted and cheered for an encore. Residents in Knoxville, Tenn. and the surrounding cities heard her on their radios and televisions at home. For Dolly, this was her very first taste of stardom and it was sweet.
