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Image credit: Ron Galella
Floyd Estel Parton (June 1, 1957 – December 6, 2018) was a singer, songwriter, and musician. He and his twin sister Freida Estelle were the tenth and eleventh children born to Lee and Avie Lee Parton. Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, he grew up in a musical family where storytelling through song was a tradition. His parents fostered a love of music that shaped the entire Parton family. 

Floyd sang backup as a member of Dolly's Travelin' Family Band in the mid-1970s. He was a talented musician and found success in his own right, particularly as a songwriter. His songwriting contributions have appeared on various albums, and he has collaborated with Dolly on several projects. He appeared in Dolly's 1984 film, Rhinestone, and contributed the song "Waltz Me to Heaven" to the soundtrack. Floyd wrote both "Nickels and Dimes" and the Billboard Hot Country Songs number one hit, "Rockin' Years", a duet by Dolly and Ricky Van Shelton. In 1992 he won a Music City News Songwriters Award for "Rockin' Years" among other recognitions for the song. Floyd also performed at Dollywood.
Although he didn't pursue a solo career in the same way Dolly did, Floyd's work behind the scenes was an important part of the Parton family's legacy. In addition to his songwriting, he was an outdoorsman, nature lover, and great cook.
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Owepar Records released a posthumous studio album by Floyd on April 4, 2025, titled The Songwriter, the Singer.

Studio albums

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Album cover. Owepar (digital release) (2025)
The Songwriter, the Singer is a posthumous studio album by Floyd Parton. It was released on April 4, 2025, by Owepar Records. The album includes Floyd's recording of "Rockin' Years" and his original solo version of "Foolin' Around". Floyd wrote or co-wrote 12 of the album's 14 tracks. ​Many of the songs included were originally recorded as a private collection for the Owens-Parton family.

Track listing

  1. Radio Man (Floyd Parton) 2:48
  2. Our One More Round (Floyd Parton, John Tarpley) 3:28
  3. Tennessee Born (Floyd Parton) 3:16
  4. Foolin' Around (Floyd Parton) 2:56
  5. Fiery Was the Fever (Floyd Parton) 1:52
  6. Number One Man (Floyd Parton) 3:20
  7. Old Time Lovers (Floyd Parton) 3:52
  8. What's the Use (Floyd Parton) 2:37
  9. Gone (Smokey Rogers) 2:41
  10. Avie Caroline (Floyd Parton) 2:37
  11. Rockin' Years (Floyd Parton) 3:05
  12. So Sad to See Ruby Fall (Floyd Parton) 3:17
  13. Light a Candle (Floyd Parton, Frank Dycus) 2:59
  14. Waltz Me to Heaven (Dolly Parton) 3:20

Other album appearances

TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR

​* Floyd provided backing vocals on this track.