See also, The Kinfolks discography.
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Image credit: Eddie Tidwell
Reverend Dorothy Jo Owens Parton (March 22, 1929 – November 19, 2008) was a singer, songwriter, musician, and evangelist. She was the fourth child born to Reverend Jake Owens and his wife Rena. As a child, she learned to play the guitar and banjo, performing alongside her father and her siblings.

In the early 1950s, she embarked on a career as a traveling evangelist, inspiring her niece, Dolly Parton, to follow her own musical aspirations. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, she co-wrote several songs with Dolly, including "Daddy Come and Get Me", "J.J. Sneed", and "Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man" (based on her father and Dolly's grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens). Additionally, she recorded albums with the Pell Brothers and the Walter Bailes Singers (both under her married name at the time, Dorothy Jo Hope), and made regular appearances on the Wheeling Jamboree. Her gospel song, "Yes, I See God", was included in Dolly's album The Golden Streets of Glory and has been covered by numerous gospel artists. 
Dorothy Jo sang and played banjo on the 1967 album, Songs of the Smokie Mountains, by Bill Owens and the Kinfolk (a group consisting Dorothy Jo, her brother Bill Owens, and father Jake Owens). She released I Can Only Be Me, her first solo album in 1983, followed by Traveling and Singing in 1989 and Reflections of Eternity in 1994.

Starting in the mid-1980s, she joined several of her relatives as The Kinfolks. The group performed frequently at Dollywood and recorded albums together. Dorothy Jo had five children: Dale Puckett, Donna Faye Cudd, Dwight Puckett, Debbie Jo Hess, and Rena Conley. Dale, Dwight, and Debbie Jo all performed at Dollywood for many years. Dorothy Jo traveled and performed in a gospel group called The Generations with her son Dale and his daughter, Shelley Rená.

Studio albums

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Album cove. Pell Bros. (SRS-PB-104) (1973)
Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man is a studio album by the Pell Brothers and Dorothy Jo Owens (credited as Dorothy Jo Hope). It was released in 1973 by Pell Bros. Records.

Track listing

  1. Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:29
  2. From a Child's Play to a Christian's Work (Windell W. Pell) 2:07
  3. I'll Fly Away (Traditional) 1:40
  4. Just a Little Talk with Jesus (Traditional) 2:32
  5. Are You Working Like a Truck for the Lord (Windell W. Pell) 2:38
  6. From a Transgressor to God's Table (Windell W. Pell) 3:43
  7. Jesus Can (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:25
  8. Bought with a Price (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:47
  9. Army of the Lord (Bill Owens)2:45
  10. Keep Your Holy Hand on Mine (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:43
  11. Don't Cry and Weep (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:22
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Album cover. Starlit (SR-1003) (1974)
Featured Gospel Singers of Jamboree U.S.A. is a studio album by The Walter Bailes Singers with Frankie Bailes and Dorothy Jo Owens (credited as Dorothy Jo Hope). It was released in 1974 by Starlit Records.

Track listing

  1. Goodbye Hallelujah I'm Gone (Traditional, arr. by Walter Bailes)
  2. Lord of My Life (Walter Bailes)
  3. I Can't Help What Others Do (Walter Bailes)
  4. Take Me to the Lifeboat (Traditional, arr. by Walter Bailes)
  5. Dust on the Bible (Walter Bailes)
  6. I Get Mighty Close to Heaven (Frankie Bailes)
  7. God's Hand Rules the World (Walter Bailes)
  8. Somebody's Praying for You (Walter Bailes)
  9. Miracle Worker (Walter Bailes)
  10. If You Have Retreated from God (Walter Bailes)
  11. I'll Pray for Your Family (Walter Bailes)
  12. Don't Ever Let Go (Walter Bailes)
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Album cover. Dorothy Jo Owens (c. 1980) / Edit by The Dolly Parton Discography
Dorothy Jo is a studio album by Dorothy Jo Owens. It was self-released around 1980 on 8-track. It was likely sold at Bill Owens' Smoky Mountain Music Barn and at Dorothy Jo's personal appearances.

Track listing

  1. I'll Keep Climbing (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  2. Little Lost Lamb (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  3. Don't Cry and Weep (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  4. Yes, I See God (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  5. Lord, Don't Move That Mountain (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  6. Talk About Jesus (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  7. Army of the Lord (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  8. Keep Your Holy Hand on Mine (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  9. Bought with a Price (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  10. Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens)
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Album cover. Express (EXPR-1011) (1983)
I Can Only Be Me is the first solo studio album by Dorothy Jo Owens. It was released in 1983 by Express Records. The album was produced by Wayne Carr. "He's Everything I Wanted You to Be" was the only single released. "Put Me Down Easy", "He's Everything I Wanted You to Be", and "The Nicest Guy in the World" were recorded at The Refuge in Nashville, a studio owned by her brother Louis Owens and his son Richie. The remainder of the album was recorded at Pollyfox Studio in Nashville. The album was released digitally for the first time on December 20, 2024, by Owepar Records. It was released on CD in May 2025.

Track listing

  1. ​I'm in Love with a Truck Driving Man (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:15
  2. I Can Only Be Me (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:20
  3. He's Leaving Me a Little at a Time (Dorothy Jo Owens, Wayne Carringer) 2:56
  4. I'm Getting Over the Heartaches (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:21
  5. He's Everything I Wanted You to Be (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:10
  6. Put Me Down Easy (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:02
  7. Streets of Buffalo (Dorothy Jo Owens) 1:56
  8. Take Me to the Places (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:00
  9. The Nicest Guy in the World (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:24
  10. How Much Loneliness Can One Woman Stand (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:59

Personnel

  • Stew Basso – steel guitar
  • ​Coleida Callaway – background vocals
  • Sudie Callaway – background vocals
  • Wayne Carr – producer, arrangements, liner notes
  • Do'ana Cooper – background vocals
  • Larry Corly – lead guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Jimmy Crawford – steel guitar
  • Rita Figlyollie – background vocals
  • Bill Humble – bass
  • Dorothy Jo Owens – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Larry Perry – lead guitar
  • John Propst – piano
  • Dale Puckett – bass, saxophone, harmonica
  • Dwight Puckett – drums
  • Skip Shimmin – engineer
  • Bama Eddie Young – fiddle, rhythm guitar
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Album cover. Dorothy Jo Owens (4628) (1989) / Extended edit by The Dolly Parton Discography
Traveling and Singing is the second solo studio album by Dorothy Jo Owens. It was released independently by Dorothy Jo in 1989 on cassette. The album was produced by Walter Haynes and Bill Tripp. It includes two songs previously recorded by Dolly, "Book of Life" and "I'll Keep Climbing". It also includes "The Old Home Place", a song written by Dolly and Bill Owens that Dolly has never released herself. The album was likely only sold at her personal appearances.

Track listing

  1. ​The Station Wagon Song (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  2. Talk About Jesus (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  3. Book of Life (Jake Owens)
  4. Paul and Silas (Traditional, arr. by DJ Owens)
  5. I'll Keep Climbing (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  6. The Old Home Place (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens)
  7. The Gates of Pearl (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  8. This Man Called Jesus (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  9. God's Promise (Dorothy Jo Owens)
  10. The Waiting Is Almost Over (Dorothy Jo Owens)

Personnel

  • Mike Bills – piano
  • Floyd Brown – fiddle
  • Fred Burgess – steel guitar
  • Steve Creed – mandolin
  • Walter Haynes – producer
  • Dorothy Jo Owens – lead vocals, lead guitar, banjo, liner notes
  • Dale Puckett – lead guitar, bass, saxophone, background vocals
  • Debbie Jo Puckett – background vocals
  • Dwight Puckett – drums, background vocals
  • Carolyn Sadler – lead guitar, background vocals
  • Dennis Talley – bass, guitar
  • Eddie Tidwell – photography
  • Bill Tripp – producer
  • Bruce Wimberly – piano, organ

Liner notes

Carolyn Sadler, my friend, special thanks for your support and being there all the way. Without you it wouldn't have happened. I Love You Always.
​                                            ​Dorothy Jo Owens
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Album cover. Dorothy Jo Owens (1994) / Extended edit by The Dolly Parton Discography
Reflections of Eternity is the third solo studio album by Dorothy Jo Owens. It was released independently by Dorothy Jo in 1994. The album was executive produced by her niece, Dolly Parton. The album was likely only sold at her personal appearances.

Track listing

  1. ​Getting Even with the Devil (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:10
  2. He's Risen (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:44
  3. My Journey's End (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:23
  4. Special Singing Goin' On (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:25
  5. I Will Arise (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:14
  6. God Is Really Real (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:21
  7. Practice What You Preach (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:32
  8. ​Bought with a Price (C. Austin Miles) 3:34

Personnel and credits

  • Kelly Back – lead guitar
  • Jimmy Carter – bass
  • Terry Crisp – steel guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle
  • Richard Dennison  – background vocals
  • Shannon Forest – drums
  • Val Herrero – wardrobe
  • Derk Johnson – engineer, keyboards
  • Jennifer O'Brien Enoch – background vocals
  • Dorothy Jo Owens – lead vocals, liner notes
  • Dolly Parton – executive producer, liner notes
  • Gene Rice – engineer
  • Rick Salyer – engineer
  • Bruce Watkins – session leader

  • Digital mastering and duplicating by Mountain Star Recording Studio, Sevierville, Tennessee​

Liner notes

I guess you could say I cut my teeth on the neck of my Aunt Dorothy Jo's guitar. She was such an inspiration to me as I grew up, full of love, humor, joy, and song. I always loved to hear her sing and loved the songs she wrote. She loved the Lord, loved to preach his word, and sing His praises. She has been a radiant light to me and to our family. She has brought much happiness and goodness to those lucky enough to come in contact with her.
I am very proud to be executive producer of this album.
​
                                  God bless you, 
​                                            Dolly Parton
I am dedicating this album to my sister Avie Lee Owens Parton, and my late sister Estelle Owens Watson, who have been my truest friends and my biggest support and inspiration throughout my ministry and music since I started out when I was a little girl.
​
​                                            ​Dorothy Jo Owens

Compilation albums

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Album cover. Dorothy Jo Owens (c. 2003)
Walking in His Steps is a compilation album by Dorothy Jo Owens. It was released independently around 2003. The album includes all eight tracks from Dorothy Jo's 1994 album, Reflections of Eternity, along with five additional tracks. It was likely only sold at her personal appearances.

The cover photo was taken at Dollywood in December 2002 at an Imagination Library sponsor reception on the same weekend as the Live and Well concert taping. Dolly often had family there to visit with when she was in town. 

Track listing

  1. Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:20
  2. Getting Even with the Devil (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:10
  3. He's Risen (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:44
  4. I Want to Thank Him in Person (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:31
  5. My Journey's End (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:23
  6. I Will Arise (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:14
  7. Bought with a Price (C. Austin Miles) 3:34
  8. Special Singing Goin' On (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:25
  9. This Little Pilgrim (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:31
  10. My Special Prayer Request (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:57
  11. We're Making Love Happen (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:33
  12. Practice What You Preach (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:32
  13. God Is Really Real (Dorothy Jo Owens) 3:21

Notes:
  • ​Tracks 2, 3, 5–8, 12, and 13 are taken from Dorothy Jo's 1994 album, Reflections of Eternity.

Liner notes

The Grammy-nominated, Broadcast Music Award-winning song, "Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man," written about my daddy and Dolly Parton's grandfather, is not just a song about a man or even a preacher man, but rather a way of life. Dolly and I wrote this song to share with you a small part of his life. This limited edition CD is especially for you, because, it is not difficult to understand that some follow dreams, some follow love, and some follow wisdom,  like my daddy Rev. Jake Owens (The Old Time Preacher Man) found the secret to all of these, one must follow Christ, and still, since I was a child I have found that at the beginning of all my dreams, my love and wisdom is Christ
and I am still Walking in His Steps...
​
                                                 Dorothy Jo Owens

Singles

​A-SIDE / B-SIDE (LABEL; CATALOG #; RELEASE DATE)
  • ​Payments on Our Love Affair (Express; EXPR 101; c. 1980) (with Jim McKinney)
  • He's Everything I Wanted You to Be (Express; 1133; 1983)

Other album appearances

​TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
  • ​Rye Whiskey / Richie Owens and Todd Wright* / Hillbilly Recital / 1996
  • Shine On / Dolly Parton* / Hungry Again / 1998
  • Mama, Say a Prayer / Margo O'Donnell and Dorothy Jo Owens / The Highway of My Life: Shade of the Family Tree / 1998
  • Power in the Blood / Dolly Parton** / Precious Memories / 1999
  • Keep on the Firing Line / Dolly Parton** / Precious Memories / 1999
  • When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder / Dolly Parton** / Precious Memories / 1999
  • I'll Meet You in the Morning / Rev. Jake Owens, Avie Lee Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens, Estelle Owens Watson / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family Faith and Fables / 2024
  • Runaway Girl / Dorothy Jo Owens and Dolly Parton / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024

* Dorothy Jo provided backing vocals on "Shine On" as a member of The House of Prayer Congregation.
** Dorothy Jo provided backing vocals on these tracks as a member of The Kinfolks.