When Norma Jean announced that she was leaving The Porter Wagoner Show in August 1967, Wagoner asked Parton to replace her as the "girl singer" on his television series and road show. Parton made her first TV appearance on September 5 and the duo made their first concert appearance on September 14, in Lebanon, Virginia. The crowd greeted Parton with boos and chants for Norma Jean, which led Wagoner to begin singing duets with Parton on the show. Monument Records released Parton's debut album on September 18. In addition to having her join his show as a regular, Wagoner was instrumental in persuading RCA Victor to sign Parton to a recording contract. The duo had their first recording session on October 10 at RCA Studio B in Nashville. Parton's first three sessions for RCA were limited to duets with Wagoner as she could not record for RCA as a solo artist until her contract with Monument expired. Wagoner and Parton made their first Grand Ole Opry appearance together on November 25.
Recording
Recording sessions for the album took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 10, 11 and 12, 1967.
The album's only single, "The Last Thing on My Mind", was released in October 1967[1] and debuted at number 70 on the BillboardHot Country Songs chart dated December 2. It peaked at number seven on the chart dated February 10, 1968, its eleventh week. It charted for 17 weeks. The single also peaked at number four on the RPM Country Singles chart in Canada.
Billboard gave a positive review of the album, calling it "enjoyable." The review praised the duo's singing as "exceptional" and the arrangements as "groovy."[4]AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars.[2]
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 32 on the BillboardTop Country Albums chart dated February 3, 1968. It peaked at number eight on the chart dated March 9, its sixth week on the chart. The album charted for a total of 27 weeks.
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