Porter Wagoner introduced Dolly Parton to the world through Porter Wagoner and Conway Twitty sang about love croonings crooned by Loretta Lynn – these country music duets truly say something unique about country music’s best duets.
Dierks Bentley and Elle King prove they can collaborate seamlessly when performing a poignant breakup ballad together, which may come as a surprise. But these singers have plenty of experience performing such songs.
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
Porter Wagoner was an iconic Grand Ole Opry member and star of a syndicated television show who became an important mentor to country singer Dolly Parton. He introduced her to wider audiences on his show in 1967 and they became well-known performers together through the late 60s and early 70s. Wagoner was famous for wearing flashy Nudie and Manuel suits while boasting an earnest baritone that could soar onto sustained melodies for storytelling or sink into deeper layers of song lyrics.
Parton had already established herself as an accomplished songwriter by the time she joined Wagoner’s team, having written hits for Bill Phillips (Put It Off Until Tomorrow), Skeeter Davis, and Hank Williams Jr (I’m In No Condition). Wagoner himself also took up writing duties – producing several charted songs such as his Top Ten Country Hit “A Satisfied Mind”.
Both singers were up to the challenge of working together and produced timeless duet recordings, still popular today. From singing about slipperiness and romance to songs from their hearts and beyond, their close-fitting harmonies perfectly complemented each other to craft timeless masterpieces.
Porter and Dolly broke new ground when it came to country music duets, pushing the envelope on what could be accomplished through collaborative performances. Where many country duos used a predictable pattern with one singer taking lead while the other provided harmony, Porter and Dolly traded melodic lines freely as they harmonized together more freely for dynamic performances that kept audiences enthralled with each performance.
Bear Family Records recently issued Just Between You and Me as a compilation album containing all their duet recordings without overdubs from their seven year collaboration.
Lorrie Morgan and Jon Randall
Lorrie Morgan has become one of the most successful country singers of her generation. Not only has she had several top-10 hits, she has also collaborated on duets with artists like Jon Randall – known for being in various bands as well as writing songs for other performers as well as appearing in movies and television.
Born February 17, 1969, in Dallas, Texas to Rosie Whitley (a country singer) and Ron Randall (another musician). Attended the University of Texas at Austin to major in music theory and play bass with its big band before moving on to Nashville where he joined Emmylou Harris’ Nash Ramblers band as well as Holly Dunn’s group Holly Dunn before marrying Morgan (from which they had one child – Jesse Keith Whitley), though the marriage soon after broke apart when Morgan later went on to Brand Thomson before eventually marrying Brand Randall before breaking off after 9 years together before finally splitting from him in 1999.
Morgan has released several albums throughout her career, such as 1995’s Marfa Tapes which received critical acclaim and performed on several late night talk shows and award shows to support its release.
Jon Randall is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter with extensive touring experience. As part of both bands – The Starlighters and Nash Ramblers – he participated in many tours as well as co-writing songs with Lorrie Morgan which she performed alongside him at various occasions. Additionally, Jon served as music producer on TNN for its made-for-TV movie Proudheart released in 1993.
Country music was designed for duets. No genre matches its ability to convey heartbreak–or any other type of love song–better than country. Additionally, its format lends itself perfectly to heroes and followers, parents and children, siblings, peers, pot smokers and more!
Tammy Wynette and George Jones
Duets have always been at the core of country music’s beauty, creating some of its most unforgettable tracks. Iconic duos such as Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn and modern collaborators Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have contributed many wonderful duets. From heartbreaking tales of lost love to nostalgic throwbacks – here are 10 of the greatest country duets ever written.
Tammy Wynette and George Jones shared an electrifying chemistry in country music history. Although their tumultuous romance ended in 1975, not before creating powerful duets and launching successful careers together. Their 1968 hit “Stand By Your Man,” for instance, depicts them supporting each other through struggles; yet that wasn’t the case in their personal lives: according to Jones’ 1996 autobiography I Lived to Tell It All, he once chased Wynette through her home with an loaded rifle before accusing her of lying about his drug use!
In 1976, they released their classic song “Golden Ring,” describing the life cycle of a pawned wedding ring. It became an instant #1 hit and provided an intimate view into their turbulent marriage.
Though they had divorced by 1976, Wynette and Don were still close and continued working together on albums together; even performing a live concert together in 1981. Unfortunately, however, their personal lives never fully recovered from tensions which had lead to their separation; Wynette passed away at 55 from blood clots in her lungs due to an accidental overdose of anticoagulant medicine.
Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter formed another potency duo, producing many chart-topping hits together. Their 2011 song, “You and Tequila”, is a hilarious take on their relationship as singers who can’t help bond over their shared affinity for alcohol – this song celebrates that fact while simultaneously making you believe the pair are truly in love!
Reba McEntire and Linda Davis
Reba McEntire is one of the most successful female performers in country music, boasting chart-topping hits throughout her nearly 30-year career and numerous chart-topping hits over her time as a singer. But many fans may be unaware that Reba started out her musical journey as a highly sought after session musician, providing harmony vocals for big name stars often without receiving credit or recognition for doing so; these musicians bring songs to life without them; without them some of country music’s biggest hits might never have materialized!
One such singer was Linda Davis, who recorded for several labels but failed to make an impressionful impactful hit until joining forces with McEntire on “Does He Love You,” written by Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch in 1993. This hit single for both women proved particularly important as Davis struggled to break out on Music Row; its success saw her achieve her first and only number one single and earn both women awards from both organizations, including both Grammy and CMA Awards for Best Country Vocal Collaboration as well as Vocal Event of the Year awards from each.
This song’s video is an iconic example of its kind; featuring Linda and Reba singing solo at opposite corners of Ryman Auditorium before coming together for its final chorus. There is even a scene where Linda kisses someone at a bar while Reba smashes their picture while continuing the bridge section of their song – truly an empowering and emotive performance that helped launch both artists into fame!
After her duet with Davis was successful, McEntire soon rose to become one of the charts’ biggest draws, winning her first CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1984 and recording several neo-traditionalist albums that would go on to become gold. She became a mainstay at Grand Ole Opry as well as staring her own TV series Reba between 2001-2007. Alongside musical success she built an empire comprising Starstruck Entertainment multidimensional company as well as many other businesses such as talent management firms, construction firms and jet charter service among others.