Dolly Parton has paid a touching tribute to her longtime manager following his death at the age of 87.
Don Warden, a noted steel guitarist, passed away on Saturday (11Mar17), and Dolly has issued a statement remembering the man she affectionately branded her “Mr. Everything”.
In a post on her website, she writes, “I’ve known and loved Don Warden since I joined The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. He was like a father, a brother, a partner and one of my best friends. I feel like a piece of my heart is missing today. Certainly a huge piece of my life is gone. Rest in peace Don and know for sure that I will always love you.”
Warden was a founding member of the Porter Wagoner Trio, alongside country icon Wagoner, and frequently appeared on his music show, which introduced a then-unknown Dolly to audiences in 1967.
He went on to manage Parton’s career, a position he held for nearly five decades.
Warden, who battled ailing health in his final years, was recognized for his musicianship in 2008, when he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, and he shared the stage with Dolly for the final time later that year, as they performed together in honor of Wagoner, who had passed away in 2007.
