At an intimate ASCAP dinner in Nashville, 80-year-old Dolly Parton wasn’t expecting much. Then Reba McEntire leaned in and whispered, “This one’s for someone who isn’t here.” She began “I Will Always Love You” — plain, slow, country, just as Dolly wrote it for Porter Wagoner in 1973. Dolly’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Porter,” she murmured, tears welling. No Whitney-style grandeur. Just the farewell it was always meant to be.

Introduction Below is the complete article. At a quiet, candlelit ASCAP dinner in Nashville, the...