Dolly Parton has spent 56 years as a Grand Ole Opry member.
She's seen country music evolve from its roots to what it's become today.
And Dolly Parton just made one announcement about the Grand Ole Opry that left country fans speechless.
Dolly's emotional tribute to Porter Wagoner finally gets released to the world
The Grand Ole Opry dropped a bombshell on country music fans Friday with the release of Opry 100: Country's Greatest Songs.¹
The double album features 20 previously unreleased live recordings from the Opry stage.
But one track is already bringing fans to tears.
Dolly Parton's 2007 performance of "I Will Always Love You" sung directly to Porter Wagoner on his 50th anniversary as an Opry member finally sees the light of day.¹
Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart joined Dolly for what became one of the most emotional nights in Opry history.
"If it hadn't been for Porter, I wouldn't have written this song," Dolly said before singing. "It was kind of my goodbye song to Porter."¹
The recording captures everything country music used to be about — real emotion, authentic relationships, and gratitude for the people who gave you your shot.
Wagoner gave Dolly her first major break in 1967 when he added her to The Porter Wagoner Show as his duet partner.²
The partnership turned into country music gold, producing 13 albums together.²
But it wasn't easy.
They fought like cats and dogs — both strong-willed, both convinced they knew what was best.²
Dolly stayed seven years even though she'd only committed to five, trying to find the right time to launch her solo career without burning the bridge.²
When she finally worked up the nerve to leave in 1974, she wrote "I Will Always Love You" to express her gratitude while explaining she had to chase her own dreams.²
The song hit number one twice and later became a global phenomenon when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard in 1992.²
But the original version was always about Dolly and Porter — a complicated relationship built on mutual respect despite constant clashes.
The Opry preserves 60 years of real country music
The album isn't just about Dolly, though her performance is the emotional centerpiece.
The Opry pulled from six decades of live recordings to create something special.¹
Patsy Cline's "Crazy" from 1962 sits alongside Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" from 1967 and Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter" from 1985.¹
These aren't repackaged studio tracks or radio hits you've heard a thousand times.
The Opry owns every performance that happens on its stage, and they've been holding onto these recordings waiting for the right moment.
That moment arrived with the venue's 100th anniversary.
Dan Rogers, vice president and executive producer at the Opry, explained the strategy behind the album.
"We began treating the selection process as if we were putting together a perfect night at the Opry," Rogers said.¹
The goal was showcasing "everything Opry audiences have experienced for 100 years: Jesus, whiskey, love, heartache, and more."¹
The album even includes what the Opry calls "Full Circle" tracks — performances from different eras mixed together.¹
Marty Robbins singing "El Paso" in 1981 blends with Marty Stuart performing the same song decades later.¹
George Jones and Alan Jackson's versions of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" get the same treatment.¹
It's country music's past and present shaking hands.
This is what Nashville used to sound like before it sold out
The Opry's centennial album arrives at an interesting time for country music.
Modern Nashville has been chasing pop crossover success for years, watering down the genre to appeal to coastal markets.
But the Opry just reminded everyone what real country music sounds like.
Rogers made clear this isn't just about preservation — it's about showing younger fans what they've been missing.
"The music included features some of the oldest, most authentic sounds from the Opry's early days to contemporary sounds that help make the Opry relevant for younger fans with broad tastes," Rogers explained.¹
That's why Ashley McBryde's 2024 cover of "Your Cheatin' Heart" appears on the same album as Patsy Cline from 1962.¹
The Opry coordinated with artists, labels, and publishers to clear rights for all 20 recordings — no small feat when dealing with performances spanning six decades.¹
"Like every piece of music being released, it takes a whole lot of communication and partnership to make it to release day with everyone on board," Rogers said.¹
The official 100th anniversary show happens November 28 with Bill Anderson, John Conlee, The Gatlin Brothers, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, and Ricky Skaggs.¹
Several promotions surround the album release, including special programming on WSM Radio and SiriusXM's The Highway channel.¹
For fans who grew up with Dolly, Porter, Patsy, and Loretta, this album is a time machine back to when country music meant something.
The Opry preserved moments that could have been lost forever and shared them with audiences who never got to experience these legends live.
Dolly's tribute to Porter Wagoner captures the heart of it all — real artists, real emotion, and real gratitude for the people who helped build country music into what it became.
That's something worth celebrating.
¹ Melinda Newman, "Watch Dolly Parton Sing to Porter Wagoner at the Grand Ole Opry From 'Opry 100: Country's Greatest Songs': Exclusive," Billboard, November 6, 2025.
² Alex Hopper, "Dolly Parton Sets Record Straight On Rocky Relationship With Porter Wagoner," Newsweek, September 26, 2024.
