Dolly Parton spotlights her and her family's 'Smoky Mountain DNA' with new album, documentary
Dolly Parton's desire to fully embrace her family's roots amid her now perpetual place in the global spotlight has reached a new level.
Via a partnership between Dollywood and Parton's co-owned Owepar Entertainment, on Nov. 15, 2024, the "Coat of Many Colors" vocalist will release the album "Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables."
The release will create a musical lineage from the Parton family's roots in the United Kingdom in the 1600s to their home in Appalachia's Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
The project will be available on vinyl and CD and via digital download and streaming. A four-part docuseries to accompany the album is also in production.
A pre-order will accompany the reveal of the album's full track list on June 21. Those who pre-order the album will receive two of the album's tracks for free.
"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," recalls Parton. "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."
Parton's cousin, Richie Owens, produced an album featuring generations of her immediate and extended family (including those who have passed away) performing songs important to the Parton family legacy from the UK to present-day East Tennessee. Of note, particular focus is given to the Reverend Jake Owens, Parton's grandfather, who, as a press release notes, "instilled in her and her relatives a profound respect for faith, a deep love of music and storytelling, and strong enduring family values."
For the attached docuseries, performances of the songs — featuring Parton and her relatives — were filmed at Knoxville's Bijou Theater.
Owepar Music is Parton's six-decade-old songwriting business administration company, which she founded alongside her uncles Bill Owens and Louis Owens. For 25 years, work from Porter Wagoner, Linda Ronstadt, Olivia Newton-John, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe and many more were handled via its Music Row offices. Relaunched in 2019, Owepar Entertainment handles legacy recordings and publishes songs by contemporary artists, including Jada Star and Richie Owens.
For more information about Parton's forthcoming project and all Owepar releases, visit https://owepar.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton's new album will highlight family's 'Smoky Mountain DNA'
