Interview with Shelley Rená

by Ben Childers

Single cover: Owepar Records (2024)

We are now less than a month away from the release of Dolly's new album, Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables. She has enlisted the help of her entire family to craft this special record, which will feature siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews performing alongside her, in addition to archival recordings of family who have passed away. The mammoth-sized album will be accompanied by a four-part documentary tracing the ancestry of this musical family from the hills of Appalachia back to the 1600s in Wales. 

On Friday, October 18, Owepar Records released the seventh and final single from the album, "Not Bad". The song is a duet by Shelley Rená (Dolly's second cousin) and Dolly. The bluesy track was originally written by Dolly for her 1998 album Hungry Again, but did not make the final album. Shelley really belts and rocks her way through this newly recorded version. She began performing at Dollywood in Randy Parton's My People show several years back and is currently performing in Heidi Parton's Kin & Friends.

​This monumental album from Dolly and her family is going to be such a beautiful full circle moment for Dolly's career and I couldn't be more excited. On the eve of the new single's release I reached out to Shelley to see if she would be willing to answer a few questions for my website. Read the full interview below.

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The Dolly Parton Discography: How did you come to record "Not Bad" for this album? Did you pick the song or did Dolly have you in mind to record it?
Shelley Rená: Well, it was a combination of the two. Dolly sent me a collection of songs that she thought I might be interested in and then I got to pick the one I liked best.

TDPD: What was the recording session like for the song? Who are some of the musicians on the track and are any of them family?
SR: It was a lot of fun. I traveled to Smyrna, TN, where the beautiful studio is, and I got to sing and hang out with family all at the same time, which is always fun. My cousin Richie Owens, who is producing the whole album, played on the song as well as Bob Ocker, Eric Rupert, and Peter Keys.

TDPD: I’m really interested in my own family history and have traced my family back to England on Ancestry. Did you learn anything new about your family during the documentary process?
SR: Yes! There were so many things about our family that I had no idea about. But I'll have to let everyone see for themselves when the documentary comes out.

TDPD: I was at the first night of filming at the Bijou for the documentary. All the songs I heard on this night were great, especially the title track. Do you have a favorite song from the record?
SR: I don't think I could pick a favorite song because every song is amazing. But I love hearing all the songs from the ones who have passed on. It takes me back to when we would all sing together in church.

TDPD: You're featured on backing vocals with your cousins Jada Star, Rebecca Seaver, and Heidi Parton on the title track, "Smoky Mountain DNA". What was it like working with them?
SR: I love my girls! Our harmonies blend so well and we always have so much fun with lots of laughter.

TDPD: Your grandmother Dorothy Jo Owens is featured on several songs on the album. Do you have a favorite musical memory with her?
SR: I have so many memories with my Mama Jo, but I think my favorite memory that I have with her is when she, my dad and I became a gospel group called The Generations and we traveled all over to different churches.

TDPD: She also performed at Dollywood for several years. How did you begin performing at the park and what does it mean to you to follow in her footsteps?
SR: My cousin Cassie (Dolly's sister) heard me singing one day while I was hanging at her house and she said I should go audition for Randy (Dolly's brother) at the family show and he approved! I am so very honored to follow in my Dad's and Mama Jo's footsteps. It truly means the world to me to make them proud every day. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be me!

TDPD: I was at the park on opening day of the new Kin & Friends show and saw the first performance. The entire cast did a phenomenal job. What is your favorite part of the show?
SR: Well, thank you! I love all of it, but I really enjoy when the band comes down and joins us, we have so much fun.

TDPD: And my final question (which I ask everyone who shares a love of Dolly), what is your favorite Dolly song and/or album?
SR: My favorite song and album is White Limozeen! When I was little I loved my dolls and they had a pink limousine, but I always said that one day I would have my very own White Limousine!

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Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables is scheduled to be released November 15, 2024, by Owepar Records on CD, LP, digital download, and streaming.

Shelley Rená, thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to seeing the Kin & Friends show again when I'm back at Dollywood in December!