In 1967, Parton had her big break. Soon after Porter Wagoner heard Parton perform her song “Dumb Blonde” on television, he invited her to his office. Though Parton thought Wagoner would ask her to write songs for Wagoner’s co-star Norma Jean Beasley, he had something different in mind. Beasley was leaving the program to get married, and Wagoner wanted Parton to take her place.
The audience wasn’t happy with her appearance
Wagoner’s request was life-changing, and Parton said she didn’t have to consider it for long. She made her debut on the show on Sept. 5, 1967, soon after the release of her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly. Whereas Beasley’s voice was warm and low, and she dressed conservatively, Parton had a sparkling vibrato and a much louder appearance. Fans of the show were not impressed.
“Performing live with the Wagonmasters presented a challenge for Dolly as she faced large numbers of Norma Jean fans who might well resent a newcomer,” Stephen Miller wrote in the book Smart Blonde: The Life of Dolly Parton. “She was also conscious of the fact that some people did not particularly care for her voice. Those concerns proved to be well founded.” but it all worked out...happy ending:)
