Image credit: Dolly Parton / Instagram
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Robert Lee Parton (March 22, 1921 – November 12, 2000) was a farmer and construction worker. Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, Lee was the fourth of thirteen children born to Walter and Bessie Parton. Lee married Avie Lee Parton on August 17, 1939. Together they had twelve children: Willadeene, David, Denver, Dolly, Bobby, Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry, Freida, Floyd, and Rachel. Lee never embraced the spotlight and only sang backing vocals on three songs. He appeared in episodes of Dolly's 1976 variety series, her 1987 variety series, and her 1990 Christmas special. Lee never learned to read or write, though Dolly has often said he was the smartest man she ever knew. This inspired Dolly to create the Imagination Library, a childhood literacy program. Lee expressed that among all of Dolly's achievements in the entertainment industry, he took the greatest pride in the Imagination Library.
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Other album appearances
TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
- Applejack / Dolly Parton* / New Harvest...First Gathering / 1977
- Down to Earth / Stella Parton / Stella Parton / 1978
- Shine On / Dolly Parton* / Hungry Again / 1998
* Lee provided backing vocals on these tracks.
Album cover. Hickory Hill (1988) / Edit by The Dolly Parton Discography
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A Beautiful Life is a studio album by The Parton Family. It was released in 1988 by Hickory Hill. The group consisted of several of Lee Parton's nieces and nephews, the children of his brother Rev. Orville Parton; Carlena Whitted, Jack Parton and his children Tony Parton and Lisa Gibson, Rosie Sutton, Stanley Parton, and Jerry Parton and wife Adena.
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Track listing
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Personnel
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Image credit: Owepar / Smoky Mountain DNA
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Estelle Mae Owens Watson (August 9, 1921 – December 5, 1993) was a singer and songwriter. She was the eldest child born to Rev. Jake Owens and his wife Rena. Estelle started her singing journey alongside her father at a young age. In the 1930s, she showcased her talent with the family ensemble but gradually withdrew from public performances as she matured. In 1947, she relocated to Knoxville with her husband, Dot Walker Watson. Her siblings frequently visited their home, and when niece Dolly Parton began her performing at the age of 10, Aunt Estelle's residence became a second home for her. Throughout the years, as various family members embarked on their own musical paths, Estelle often took on the role of an unofficial "road manager" for her many gifted relatives.
Estelle wrote two songs that were recorded by artists on her brother Bill Owens' Circle-B Records label; "I Haven't Forgotten Yet" by Ralph Lovely and "Dead or Alive" by Jim Wyrick. Estelle is featured on the Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables track "I'll Meet You in the Morning" with her father, Rev. Jake Owens, and sisters, Avie Lee Parton and Dorothy Jo Owens. |
Other album appearances
TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
- I'll Meet You in the Morning / Rev. Jake Owens, Avie Lee Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens, and Estelle Owens Watson / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables / 2024
Image credit: Christmas at Home TV special (1990)
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Timothy Carroll Rauhoff (b. November 25, 1968) is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and entertainment lawyer. He is the only child of Stella Parton and Marvin Carroll Rauhuff. Tim co-wrote wrote the song "Canceled Plans" with his cousin Jada Star and recorded it as a duet with his aunt Dolly for the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
* Tim provided backing vocals on this track. |
Image credit: Shine Girl / Facebook
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Danielle Cleone Parton (b. January 5, 1976) is an entrepreneur, television personality, combat pilot veteran, and commercial airline pilot. She is the daughter of Dolly's younger brother Bobby. Danielle is the founder and owner of Shine Girl Moonshine Distillery, located in Sevieville, Tennessee. She achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, earning both the Combat Action Medal and the Air Medal for her service. Additionally, she has made appearances on the reality television programs Moonshiners and Master Distiller. Danielle and her aunt Dolly collaborated on a cover of Dolly's 1978 song, "The Man", for the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables. Dolly wrote the song about her husband, Carl Dean, and her father and Danielle's grandfather, Lee Parton.
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Other album appearances
TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
- The Man / Danielle Parton and Dolly Parton / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024
Image credit: Michael Weintrob
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Shelley Rená Puckett Chambers (b. April 15, 1982) is a singer, songwriter, and performer. She is the youngest daughter of Dale Puckett and the granddaughter of Dorothy Jo Owens. A highly skilled and cherished multi-instrumentalist, Shelley Rená has carved out her own unique journey. After her cousin Cassie (Dolly's sister) heard her singing one day, she suggested that Shelley Rená go audition for Randy (Dolly's brother) at the family show at Dollywood. Following in her father and grandmother's footsteps, she has been a performer at Dollywood ever since. She currently performs in Heidi Parton's Kin & Friends at Dollywood's Dreamsong Theater.
Shelley Rená released her first single, "Truck Drivin' Man", in 2021. It is a cover of a song written and originally recorded by her grandmother, Dorothy Jo Owens, on her 1983 album, I Can Only Be Me. Shelley Rená released a Christmas single in 2022 titled "Made for Family". |
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She provided backing vocals on cousin Jada Star's first solo album, Tell Me I'm Your Angel, in 2023. She also made several contributions to the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables, including a duet with her cousin Dolly on "Not Bad" and singing backing vocals on the title track.
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Singles
TITLE (LABEL, RELEASE DATE)
- Truck Drivin' Man (No label; July 1, 2021)
- Made for Family (Owepar; November 27, 2022)
- Not Bad (with Dolly Parton) (Owepar, October 18, 2024)
Other album appearances
TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
- Singing His Praise / Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man / Bill Owens, Louis Owens, and Family* / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024
- Smoky Mountain DNA / Dolly Parton* / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024
- Not Bad / Shelley Rená and Dolly Parton / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024
- When It's Family / Dolly Parton and Family* / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024
* Shelley Rená provided backing vocals on these tracks.
Image credit: Owepar / Smoky Mountain DNA
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Tanya Renee (b. 1985) is a singer and performer. She is the daughter of Debbie Jo Hess and the granddaughter of Dorothy Jo Owens. She has performed at Dollywood and collaborated with her cousin Dolly on "For Keeps" for the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
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Image credit: Owepar / Smoky Mountain DNA
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Estelle Owens (b. 1997) is a singer, musician, graphic designer, photographer, and film director. The daughter of Richie Owens, Estelle designed the artwork for cousin Jada Star's debut album and also directed her first music video. Estelle contributed a duet with her aunt Dolly to the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables. The song, "Crazy in Love with You", was written by her father in the 1980s for his band The Movement.
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
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Image credit: Owepar / Smoky Mountain DNA
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Lainey Mae Parton (b. 2005) is a singer. She is the daughter of Clint Parton, granddaughter of Dolly's brother Bobby, and great-granddaughter of Avie Lee Parton. Lainey recorded "Be Your Own Man", a duet with great-aunt Dolly and her contribution to the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables, at a temporary cabin studio in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
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Image credit: Owepar / Smoky Mountain DNA
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Faith Reeann (b. 2007) is a singer. She is the daughter of Tanya Renee, granddaughter of Debbie Jo Hess, and great-granddaughter of Dorothy Jo Owens. Faith Reeann's contribution to the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA, is a duet with her great-aunt Dolly on "We Might Be in Love".
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
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Image credit: Owepar / Smoky Mountain DNA
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Leroy Brown (b. 2009) is a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is the son of Rebecca Seaver and grandson of Cassie Parton Griffith. Leroy began playing piano at the age of 4 and has been composing songs for several years. He co-wrote "Being Me" and recorded it as a duet with his great-aunt Dolly for the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
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Image credit: Bryan Seaver / Facebook
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Merin Seaver (b. 2009) is a singer, songwriter, and musician. She is the daughter of Bryan Seaver and granddaughter of Dolly's sister Cassie Parton Griffith. Merin had already proven herself to be a talented songwriter and musician by her early teens. Merin co-wrote "Randy Floyd" with her great-aunt Dolly when she was just 11 years old. The song serves as a tribute to her uncles, Randy and Floyd Parton, who are also Dolly's brothers. The pair recorded the song for the 2024 family album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables.
Other album appearancesTITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
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