On 25 November 1967, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner made their debut as a duo on the Grand Ole Opry, performing "The Last Thing on My Mind," their first hit single together. Both artists had already appeared on the Opry individually — Parton since 1959 as a 13-year-old, and Wagoner since 1955, becoming a member in 1957 — but this marked the start of one of country music's most celebrated partnerships, launching a career-defining chapter for Parton.

Parton joined Wagoner's television show in September 1967, and the pair released their debut single the following month, with it eventually reaching No. 7 on the Billboard country chart. Their debut album, "Just Between You and Me," followed in January 1968. Parton has recalled that she was already recording for Monument Records when Wagoner, having noticed her local television appearances, asked her to replace Norma Jean as his "girl singer"; he then worked to release her from her existing contracts, beginning a collaboration that produced numerous hit duets over seven years.