Photo Credit: Owepar Entertainment
Dolly Parton is exploring her rich family heritage with the upcoming release of ‘Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA—Family, Faith & Fables.’ A companion four-part docuseries is also in production.
The project was announced today from Dollywood and will be released on November 15, 2024. Pre-orders for the album will launch on June 21, alongside the full track list. The project will be available on vinyl and CD as well as digital download and streaming. The new album is in collaboration with Owepar Entertainment, which was founded in 1967 by Dolly Parton and her uncles Bill Owens and Louis Owens to administer their songwriting business.
“I cannot believe that it has been 60 years this month since I graduated from Sevier County High School and moved to Nashville to pursue my dreams,” says Dolly. “My uncle Bill Owens was by my side for many years helping me develop my music. I owe so much to him and all the family members past and present who have inspired me along this journey. I am honored to spotlight our families’ musical legacy that is my Smoky Mountain DNA.”
Smokey Mountain DNA will shine a spotlight on the enduring legacy of two families—Dolly’s paternal Parton family and her mother’s family, the Owens. The project traces their origins from the United Kingdom in the 1600s to their home today in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Through this release, audiences will discover the treasured heritage that has been preserved and echoed in the music and vibrant culture of Appalachia.
Produced by Richie Owens, Dolly’s cousin, the album features songs performed by various members of Dolly’s immediate & extended family, spanning generations. Some tracks include the voices of beloved family members who have passed, alongside contemporary contributions from today’s generation. These recordings not only celebrate the musical legacy but also the deep familial bonds and cultural traditions that have shaped their lives.
The accompanying docuseries will offer an intimate look at the family’s historical journey from the UK to present-day East Tennessee, enriched by interviews with numerous family members. A particular focus is given to the Reverend Jake Owens, Dolly’s grandfather, who instilled in her and her relatives a profound respect for faith, a deep love of music and storytelling, and strong enduring family values.
Central to the docuseries are concert performances filmed at Knoxville’s historic Bijou Theatre, featuring Dolly and family from the record. These songs interweave with poignant narratives about these two families and their individual members, offering viewers a unique and personal glimpse into the roots of the Parton and Owens families.
