This episode contains discussions of self-harm,

disordered eating, and fertility.

There's also going to be some swearing, so please be advised. It's 1974 and Dolly Parton is sitting next to the mix board of a studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

She's still got an hour before the session begins,

so she's all alone,

and the silence is deafening.

It makes the relentless pounding of her heart sound that much louder.

Dolly's never been this excited about a recording session in her life.

A childhood fantasy of hers is about to come true.

She's always dreamed she was a princess, and today she's going to meet the king of rock and

roll. Elvis Presley himself is going to record a cover of I Will Always Love You.

It's been less than a year since Dolly and Porter Wagoner parted ways,

and if Dolly was nervous about succeeding on her own, then today those fears are going to be put to rest.

Because having Elvis sing a song you wrote is an instant career maker.

And let's not forget you can get pregnant just by watching him shake his hips

which we all remember he's still from Forrest Gump.

Poor Jenny. Yep.

Dolly sits up wide-eyed and watches as a tall handsome man steps into the room.

It's Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, a legend in his own right.

Dolly greets him with a big smile, but he doesn't return it.

In fact, she notices he looks grim.

Tom sits down across from her and takes a big somber breath.

...