Think about this for a second. In the 1960s and 70s, there was a man on TV who was essentially the country music version of Johnny Carson. He had a nationally syndicated show that ran for 21 years. He introduced dozens of future superstars to American audiences for the very first time. And he did it all while wearing the most extravagant rhinestone suits you have ever seen.

These shows were stripped down. You had a small set, a house band, and a host who could sing. The format was simple, a mix of music performances, comedy skits, and light interviews. But what made Wagoner’s show special was his instinct for who to put on that stage.

• We are going to do a deep dive into the career of Porter Wagoner
• He was born on August 12, 1927, in West Plains, Missouri
• His TV show, The Porter Wagoner Show, became one of the longest -running syndicated shows in television history
• He introduced Dolly Parton to a national audience
• His partnership with Dolly Parton is one of the most famous and complicated relationships in country music