Country superstar Dolly Parton died at age 80 on Aug. 25, leaving behind family and a whole lot of fans. But did you know she has a surprising connection to the Ozarks?
West Plains native and country artist Porter Wagoner catapulted a young Parton into national stardom when she joined his show in 1967. For seven years, Wagoner and Parton were "one of Country music's leading duos" and produced numerous Top 10 hit singles over a dozen studio albums, according to her website.
In 1974, Parton decided to leave The Porter Wagoner Show to "strike out on her own," which created a years-long rift between the two and led to Parton writing "I Will Always Love You."
However, during her time with the show and even afterward, Parton performed in the Ozarks more
than a dozen times. Here's a list of all her concerts in the area.
Jan. 19, 1968
Where: Joplin Memorial Hall
With: Grand Ole Opry NBC Saturday Nite Show featuring Wagoner, Alec Houston and acts such as The Wagonmasters
Aug. 9, 1968
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield
With: The Wagonmasters, led by Wagoner
Oct. 27, 1968
Where: Dairy Square on North Campbell Avenue, Springfield
With: Wagoner and his Wagonmasters as well as comedian Speck Rhodes
June 13, 1969
Where: Joplin Memorial Hall
With: Grand Ole Opry NBC Saturday Nite Show featuring Wagoner and The Wagonmasters, comedian Speck Rhodes and George McCormick
Aug. 9, 1969
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield
With: Wagoner
Jan. 3, 1970
Where: The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield
With: Wagoner, LeRoy Van Dyke, Tex Ritter and other Grand Ole Opry regulars
Jan. 2, 1971
Where: The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield
With: Wagoner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Speck Rhodes, George McCormick and the Wagonmasters
Aug. 18, 1971
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield
With: Wagoner
March 17, 1972
Where: The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield
With: Wagoner, Speck Rhodes, and the Wagonmasters
June 18, 1972
Where: Country Shindig, Osage Beach
With: Wagoner
April 12, 1973
Where: The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield
With: Wagoner, Speck Rhodes, and the Wagonmasters
April 5, 1974
Where: Joplin Memorial Hall
With: Wagoner, comedian Speck Rhodes and The Wagonmasters
This was Parton's last show with Wagoner in the Ozarks.
Aug. 10, 1974
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield
This was Parton's first solo show in the Ozarks.
Feb. 24, 1977
Where: Hammons Center at then-Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield
With: Mac Davis
June 23, 1978
Where: Hammons Center at Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield
With: Eddie Rabbit
The show that wasn't: Aug. 25, 1989
Where: Swiss Villa Amphitheatre, Lampe
Parton's final show in the Ozarks ended up being canceled a little more than a month ahead of the performance. According to then-entertainment writer Ron Sylvester in a July 20, 1989, article, the summer of 1989 was "bleak for concert promoters" with available acts being "scared off by competing tours with The Who and the Rolling Stones."
Not quite a concert: The Dixie Stampede
The Dixie Stampede, now just called "Dolly Parton's Stampede," opened in July 1995, according to News-Leader reporting. Sylvester called it "a social equalizer" in his July 18 article, reporting how guests ate corn on the cob, chicken and ribs with their fingers. Parton was present for the opening night, which included trick riders, a "North vs. South" competition, and children chasing chickens.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Dolly Parton's early years were filled with Ozarks concerts
