98 Country Classics Bonus – 5 Most Requested Classic Country Duets [VIDEO]

Each Sunday morning on the 98 Country Classic Show, I receive requests for country duets.  You don't hear many duets on country radio these days. So I thought I'd give you five top duets -- the ones most requested on the 98 Country Classics Show which you can hear Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

David Frizzell and Shelly West -- "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"

David Frizzell founded "Frizzell and West" in the early 1980s with the gifted and very attractive Shelly West, daughter of country superstar Dottie West. Their recording of, "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" made its way to Clint Eastwood, who wanted and insisted the song be added to the soundtrack of his forth coming film, "Any Which Way You Can." The song went to number one on the Country charts in February of 1981.

Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius -- "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You"

Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius performed together in the late 1970s. They had six top ten hits between 1976 and 1980. That included their debut single, "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You" which went to number one in 1976. Some of the lyrics:

I don't want to have to marry you, I don't want to have to say I do, I want our love to be free the way God meant love to be.  

Brown and Cornelius ended their partnership in 1981, but they left this as part of their legacy.

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton -- "Islands in the Stream"

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton recorded a duet that Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees originally wrote for Marvin Gaye in an R&B style.  But he changed it for Kenny Rogers' 1983 hit album "Eyes That See in the Dark."  "Islands in the Stream" was a huge success and went all the way to number one for two weeks in February 1983 and is still frequently requested today.

George Jones and Tammy Wynette -- "Golden Ring"

George Jones and Tammy Wynette both had solid solo careers, but together they were even more interesting as country artists.  Tammy and George married in 1969 and divorced in 1975.  During their marriage and after their divorce they recorded wonderful, heartbreaking and sometimes clumsy duets.  "Golden Ring" their most famous hit and perhaps their greatest song in my opinion.  "Golden Ring" ends where it began:

In a pawn shop in Chicago on a sunny summer day,

a couple gazes at the wedding rings there on display.

Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn -- "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man"

In 1971, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty began a professional partnership that we still enjoy today.  As a country duo they had five consecutive number one hits between 1971 and 1975.  One of my favorites as 1973's "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man."  So powerful and successful a country singing couple, they became known as the "Dynamic Duo."

What are your favorite classic country duets? Comment below.