The band gained popularity, moving on to Kennett, Missouri's KBOA-AM and KHWN-AM in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and gigs in East Texas honky tonks; eventually leading to Louisiana Hayride, backing The Wilburn Brothers and Red Sovine.
Warden moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended flight school and played local clubs in his spare time.
While visiting his parents in West Plains, Warden met Porter Wagoner at KWTO-AM in Springfield, Missouri.
With Speedy Haworth, they formed the Porter Wagoner Trio and were regulars on ABC television's Ozark Jubilee broadcast from Springfield.
Parton left the show in 1974 to pursue a solo career, and Warden joined her as her full-time manager, a job he held until his death.