Behind the Major Financial Risk Porter Wagoner Took When RCA Signed Dolly Parton
While Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner‘s partnership was beneficial and successful, it did not go without its conflicts. Many know about the financial and personal fallout that their break-up entailed. However, what is not as often reported about is the financial risk Wagoner took on when Parton signed with the infamous RCA in Nashville. In essence, the risk embodied the trust, faith, and promise Wagoner had in his friend and co-worker, Dolly Parton.
In 1967, Dolly Parton joined Porter Wagoner on his television show, The Porter Wagoner Show. After this, well, we all know what happens after this. Although, in addition to joining him full-time, Wagoner also wanted to land Parton a record deal. Consequently, he went to his boss and RCA Nashville head, Chet Atkins, in order to get her one.
Unlike Porter Wagoner, Atkins had no faith in Dolly Parton as a musician. Matter of fact, he stated, “I don’t think she’d sell, because she just cannot sing,” per Dolly: The Biography. That being said, Atkins had no desire to sign her, whereas Wagoner was insistent. So, to persuade Atkins, Wagoner pitched a deal that would put his own career in jeopardy.
A Lot To Lose and a Lot To Gain: How Porter Wagoner Risked a Year of Royalties
During his discussions with Chet Atkins, Porter Wagoner reportedly stated, “Well, I’ll tell you what… You take out of my royalties what she loses this year because I believe she can sing, and that she’ll make it.” After that, Atkins agreed, a contract was drafted, and Dolly Parton signed on the dotted line. Needless to say, Wagoner’s risk paid off immensely.
Wagoner did not have to forfeit any of his royalties because Dolly Parton’s first single with RCA, “Just Because I’m A Woman”, peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart following its 1968 release. Furthermore, the album of the same name peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Subsequently, Parton would go on to remain an RCA musician for roughly 20 years until her departure around 1987 and 1988. Following her departure from RCA, Dolly Parton signed with Columbia Records in hopes of returning to her traditional country sound. She did just that with the release of White Limozeen.
Despite the fact that Wagoner sued Parton after their breakup, Dolly Parton has always expressed her endless gratitude for him. A gratitude that seemingly started when Wagoner waived one of his biggest streams of revenue for the sake of kick-starting Dolly Parton’s career.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
link
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1352028581-c7ab52907f1646fcb1def66bbf32ea4e.jpg "Why Entrepreneurship Is Important to the Economy")
