by Ben Childers

Born into one of country music's most enduring families, Heidi Parton has quite literally grown up in song. Born December 17, 1985, in Nashville and raised in Sevierville, Tennessee, Heidi is the youngest daughter of Randy and Deb Parton. Her introduction to performing came at an early age when at just four years old she made her stage debut in her father's show at Dollywood.

As the years went on, Heidi became a familiar and welcome presence in East Tennessee's live music scene. She performed at her aunt Stella's Hat House Café and later joined her father onstage in Dollywood productions throughout the 2000s and beyond. From My People to Harmonies of the Heart, Heidi's voice became part of a show that evolved alongside the Parton family itself. In 2024, she stepped into her own spotlight, headlining Heidi Parton's Kin & Friends at Dollywood's Dreamsong Theater.

Recording music was a natural extension of her journey. Heidi released her debut album, This Kind of Love, in 2017, produced by her father Randy. The album showcased her strong vocals on a collection of power ballads and songs written by her aunts Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George. In the years that followed, Heidi continued recording and collaborating with her family, including providing harmony vocals on Dolly and Randy's 2020 holiday release, "You Are My Christmas."

Her sophomore album, Reflections (2025), represents a major artistic statement. Featuring songs written by Heidi alongside contributions from Randy Parton, Dolly Parton, Rachel Parton George, Floyd Parton, and longtime collaborator Jimmy Lee Bryant, the album serves as both a tribute to her family's musical legacy and a clear expression of Heidi’s own artistic identity. From the rediscovered Dolly Parton composition "Reflections" to deeply moving performances of "Dollywood Lights" and the closing duet "The Gift," the album balances reverence for the past with a renewed sense of purpose.

I recently chatted with Heidi about growing up on stage, learning from her father, collaborating with her legendary family, and how Reflections came to be. It's a conversation rooted in legacy, but firmly focused on what comes next.

The Dolly Parton Discography: You come from a family with deep musical traditions. What are your earliest memories of music in your home?
Heidi Parton: My earliest memories of music was a VHS my cousin had made for me of the top 10 country countdown. It had artists like Eddie Rabbit, K.T. Oslin, and Bruce Hornsby. I absolutely wore out that tape!! 

TDPD: When did you first realize music was something you wanted to pursue seriously, not just grow up around?
HP: I learned my dad's entire show (all the songs and choreography), and he let me come out and do the whole show at four years old and the rest is history.

TDPD: Who were the biggest musical influences on you growing up, both inside and outside your family?
HP: My dad, of course, my aunt Rachel, and our friends, Jimmy Bryant and Lakieta Bagwell.

TDPD: Being a Parton comes with both pride and pressure. How do you navigate that in your career?
HP: I take it day by day just like any other person in any other family. Every day brings its own set of challenges and I take a breath and handle it to the best of my ability with class and dignity.

TDPD: When did you begin regularly performing at Dollywood?
HP: I popped in a lot through the years, but I became a permanent fixture when I was 15.

TDPD: The first time I saw you and your dad perform was during the My People show in 2014. I remember loving that show so much. It was my first introduction to Dolly's family. What special memories do you have of this time in your career?
HP: That I was finally back on stage after a very long sabbatical. It was so great to work again and be with my dad on stage.

TDPD: Your dad Randy Parton was a staple at Dollywood for so many years. He was very loved by fans and is certainly missed by them. What does it mean to you to follow in his footsteps and continue the family legacy with your own headlining show at Dollywood?
HP: It's precious, yet bittersweet some days. He was still so young and vibrant when he got sick and had a lot of performing left in him, but since he can't, I took all the good things he taught me and lead my show to the best of my ability. I learned from the best.

TDPD: Your newest album was released in June 2025. Why did the title Reflections feel like the right way to frame this body of work?
HP: Most of the songs are from the '90s and before and they inspired me so much. I was genuinely reflecting on my childhood and my love of music.

TDPD: Did you choose the song "Reflections" or did Dolly have it in mind for you?
HP: She wrote the song [years ago, but never released it] and when she heard the title of the album she came to me with the song and was like, "This is perfect! Make it your own, I'd love for you to have it."
Editorial Note: Reflections was one of the working titles of Dolly's 1996 album, Treasures.

TDPD: Many of the songs on the record were written by members of your family. What was the song selection process like for this album?
HP: It was oddly simple. The hardest part was the order to put them in. Other than the song "Reflections," I’ve know for years which songs I wanted to do when I got the opportunity to do a full-length album.

TDPD: "Countryfied," "Get Back," "Hey Hey," and "Thank You Very Much (I'm Outta Here Goodbye)" were all originally written and performed by Honey Creek. Were these songs that stood out to you from your dad's catalog that you knew you wanted to record?
HP: Yes! Huge stand outs. I was in the studio for the original recordings of most of them. I've always wanted to do them. For more than 30 years. They live rent free in my heart and mind and I felt the world needed to hear them!

TDPD: "Dollywood Lights" is such a great tribute to not only Dolly and Dollywood, but also to your dad, who wrote the song. What did covering this song mean to you?
HP: My dad and my mom, Deb, wrote "Dollywood Lights" as a gift for my aunt Dolly. Isn't it a beautiful song? It meant bringing another one of his lyrical geniuses to life once more. So many people love this song. He performed it several different times throughout the years and I knew people would love to have it even if it was me singing it.

TDPD: I was so impressed by your songwriting on "The Gift." When I first heard it I thought Dolly must have been a co-writer for her verse. What can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song?
HP: Thank you!! I'm very proud of "The Gift." Me and Jimmy Bryant wrote that song just a few weeks after my dad died. It was the first song I ever wrote. Jimmy and my dad were best friends for over 30 years and he's been a huge part of our lives, so it was almost effortless for he and I to write that part [Dolly’s verse], as well as the rest of the song. The inspiration was the talent my family has. It has become sort of an anthem if you will, to me. Plus, dad always wanted me and Jimmy to write and it was just meant to be!

TDPD: Have fans shared reactions or stories that surprised you since the album's release?
HP: Lol, great question! I think my favorite was "WOW! I knew it would be good, but I didn't know it would be that good!!!" I think the quality of musicianship, writing, and vocals from friends really pleasantly surprised them. I'm so glad that I put a lot into it.

TDPD: You recently joined Lee Newton and Georgette Jones for a new recording of the country standard "Silver Threads and Golden Needles." How did this collaboration come about and what was the recording process like?
HP: Such a fun, unexpected collab!! Lee reached out and was like, "So how do you feel about doing "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" with me and Georgette?" I was thrilled, so I asked her to send me a demo to make sure our voices meshed because they're very country and I'm not as country. But it worked so well and man, can they sing!!! So talented!!! [The recording process] was very fast! We live in separate states, so sadly we did it individually, but hey! Thank goodness for technology and fantastic engineers!

TDPD: What are your future plans for your career?
HP: Wherever and whatever comes my way that feels right and aligns with my dreams, goals, and morals, I'm willing to give it a shot! Even if it's not music. Life is so short and I have so many dreams in so many areas. But music is my anchor and my connection to love, life, and family, and that will never change no matter where I go from here.

Thank you, Heidi, for taking the time to answer my questions. It was a pleasure to learn more about your story. Heidi's latest album, Reflections, and the new single, "Silver Threads and Golden Needles," are both available now on all digital platforms!

There have been several new releases from Dolly and her family members since my last update, so here's what you might have missed over the holidays.

As part of the Opry 100: Country's Greatest Songs collection celebrating the Grand Ole Opry's centennial, a 2007 live recording of Dolly's classic "I Will Always Love You" was officially released on November 7, 2025. This special recording captures Dolly's heartfelt performance from May 19, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry, where she sang the song she wrote as a farewell to mentor Porter Wagoner during his 50th anniversary celebration, accompanied by fellow Opry stars Marty Stuart and Patty Loveless. It was a deeply emotional moment in country music history made even more poignant by Porter's death five months later.

On November 21, 2025, singer-songwriter Shelley Rená re-released her holiday single, "Made for Family," through Owepar Records. The single was previously available on CD at Dollywood during the 2022 holiday season. The song, written by Shelley with her sister Karen Light and Barry Jobe, showcases her heartfelt lyrical style and celebration of family.

On December 2, 2025, Dolly released the single "Bella," a charming, original song she wrote to accompany her children's book Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out, which debuted the same day. The upbeat track, inspired by the story's characters and themes of courage and friendship, complements the book's narrative and highlights Dolly's continued creativity in both music and storytelling.

On December 12, 2025, the compilation The RCA Years by Randy Parton was released, bringing together a 39-track collection of his classic recordings for RCA Records from 1975 to 1983. This collection marks the first fully authorized release or Randy's complete work for the label. It offers a retrospective of his artistry and preserves his musical legacy for longtime fans and a new generation of country music lovers.

On December 19, 2025, Freida Parton released "Nothing Like a Momma's Love." The single is the first preview of her upcoming album, The Crops Came In, coming February 13, 2026, from Owepar Records. Originally recorded in 1987 with her cousin Richie Owens and recently remixed and remastered for today's release, the song is a tribute to her mother, Avie Lee Parton, and blends traditional mountain ballad roots with contemporary country. The release celebrates Freida's love for her family and heritage.

Dolly's niece Jada Star on January 9, 2026, released a new version of Dolly's 1980 B-side, "Sing for the Common Man," featuring harmony vocals from Dolly. The song was written by Jada's parents, Freida Parton and Mark Andersen, and was first recorded by Dolly for her 1980 album, 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs.

On January 16, 2026, Dolly released a special new version of her iconic song "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" as a single and music video, marking the 50th anniversary of the song and celebrating her 80th birthday. The reimagined recording features a star-studded lineup including Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire, with added contributions from pianist David Foster and Nashville's Christ Church Choir. Proceeds from the release are dedicated to pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, showing Dolly's long-standing commitment to using her music for a greater good.

Lee Newton released a new rendition of the classic country song "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" on January 19, 2026, featuring Heidi Parton and Georgette Jones. The track, originally written in the 1950s by Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes and covered through the decades by artists like Wanda Jackson, Linda Ronstadt, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton, gets a fresh interpretation that blends reverence for country music's heritage with contemporary sounds.

I think that about covers it! The next release from the Owens-Parton family will be Freida Parton's highly anticipated album, The Crops Came In, on February 13, 2026, via Owepar Records. I've got some special content planned for this year spotlighting the family's music, so keep checking back!

by Ben Childers

Miles Away, the debut album by Shelley Rená, Dolly's cousin, was released on Friday, October 17, 2025, by Owepar Records. It may come as a surprise to some, considering her family's musical legacy in the Country, Bluegrass, and Americana genres, but the album is an 11-track collection of Soul and R&B inspired music. 

After honing her craft for years singing with family and performing at Dollywood, Shelley Rená arrives a fully formed artist who knows exactly what she wants to say. The title track serves a a sort of mission statement from the singer, with lines like, "I'm not stealing the spotlight, just making my own way." Shelley co-wrote seven of the album's 11 tracks, mostly with musician Peter Keys and her sister Karen Light. The album features a cover of her cousin Dolly's "Blue Me" from the 1992 soundtrack of Straight Talk, and two collaborations with her cousin Sabyn (Randy Parton's son). Other notable moments include a cover of the Bill Withers classic "Use Me" and Muddy Waters' "Can't Be Satisfied."

I interviewed Shelley about the creation of the album and her musical inspirations recently. Check out the full interview below!

Miles Away is available now on all streaming platforms and is also available as a download and CD from the Smoky Mountain DNA store here.

The Dolly Parton Discography: Where did the album title Miles Away come from? Did you decide on it for the album title before or after the song was written?
Shelley Rená: The title Miles Away actually came with the music accompaniment by Peter Keys. And then my sister Karen [Light] and I got together and wrote it from that title.

TDPD: What was the songwriting experience like, and how did you go about selecting the songs included?
SR: The songwriting is honestly one of my favorite parts of the process. Getting to just sit together with likeminded people that you love and trust to just be creative with is the best experience. When choosing which cover songs to use, Richie [Owens], Peter, Karen, and I would share playlists of funky songs and we all ended up agreeing to the ones chosen.

TDPD: Can you talk about the recording process, the musicians, and where the album was recorded?
SR: The album was recorded at Stoner Creek Studios, which is owned and operated by Peter Keys. There are quite a few musicians on the album. There is Peter Keys on keyboards, piano, Hammond B3, and programming. There is Bob Ocker and Richie Owens on guitar. There is Miqui Gutierrez on saxophone and Pino Squillace on percussion. 

TDPD: Why did you decide to cover your cousin Dolly's "Blue Me" from the Straight Talk soundtrack?
SR: The song "Blue Me" was actually suggested by John Zarling and his team at Results Global Marketing. They thought my soulful sound would be perfect for that song and I absolutely love that song so it was an easy YES from me!

TDPD: It might surprise some people because of your family's history primarily in Country and Gospel music, but Miles Away is a Soul album. Not including family, who are your musical influences?
SR: Outside of my own family, my musical influences growing up were Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Jett, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Terri Gibbs, Ray Charles, and Whitney Houston.

TDPD: What are your feelings towards singing Country and Mountain Music since this album is Soul?
SR: I still love me some good ol' Mountain Music, it was my musical beginning. It's what made me interested in music, well that and listening to my daddy play saxophone.

TDPD: Did your grandmother Dorothy Jo's music, and that of her siblings (The Kinfolks), have influence on you, and if so, how?
SR: The Kinfolks Show itself is what made me want to be a performer. I memorized all their lines and would picture myself up there performing with them. I remember this one time at a family get together, Uncle Bill [Owens] told everyone to be quiet so I could sing "Coat of Many Colors." In fact, I think there is a VHS out there somewhere with that recording.

TDPD: Last time we spoke, you mentioned being a member of the Gospel group The Generations with your grandmother and dad. Can you tell us more about that?
SR: My grandmother, Dorothy Jo, and my dad, Dale Puckett, were always having me come sing at church with them, and one day Mama Jo said that we should start a group. That lit a fire under my daddy and he got to working on what songs we could do and finally decided that we should be called The Generations. So we instantly got into the studio, made an album, and then toured around Tennessee to different churches singing and Mama Jo would preach afterwards. 

TDPD: Your dad Dale played the saxophone. Did his musical style inspire you in any way?
SR: My dad playing the saxophone is a huge part of why I love Soul, Blues, R&B, and Jazz so much. He would hit those soulful saxophone riffs, and I would try to mimic them with my voice because I didn't know how to play an instrument.

TDPD: Do any of your siblings or children sing or perform music? 
SR: Yes! My sister, Karen, is actually on my new album doing background vocals. My sister, Angela, used to be in a band but no longer performs. All four of my kids are musically talented, some sing, some play instruments and some rap and write.

TDPD: Do you have musical plans for the future? Would you ever consider headlining a solo show of your own at Dollywood? 
SR: My musical plans for the future are to keep doing what I love, and that is to write music, sing music, and perform music. Now where that takes me,  I will leave up to divine intervention. But I will be grateful every step of the way. If Dollywood were to offer me a solo show, I definitely wouldn't turn it down. But for right now, I am very happy with being in the family show.

TDPD: What does being part of the Owens-Parton musical legacy mean to you?
SR: It means everything to me. I am so proud and honored to be able to carry on the gifts that were given to me. Every day I try to make my daddy and Mama Jo proud. Everyone always comments about how I have the biggest smile on stage but what most people don’t know is that when I hit that stage, there may be hundreds of people in the audience, but I am performing for my dad and my Mama Jo, and for all the other ancestors that were involved in passing down that musical gift.

Dolly's debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, was released 58 years ago, on September 18, 1967, by Monument Records. Produced by Fred Foster, the album peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It includes Dolly's first two singles to appear on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "Dumb Blonde" (number 24) and "Something Fishy" (number 17). The album marked Dolly's official entrance into the country music industry. The road from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to country music stardom was a long road, one that Dolly had been traveling since she was a child, filled with ups and downs, setbacks, delays, and disappointments.
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Dolly began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television programs in the East Tennessee area. By ten, she was appearing on The Cas Walker Show on both WIVK Radio and WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee. She made her first professional recording at age 13 when she recorded "Puppy Love" for Goldband Records. The single, released in April 1959, did not chart. After making musical connections while performing on The Cas Walker Show, Dolly and her uncle, Bill Owens, managed to get a guest spot on the Grand Ole Opry on July 25, 1959. Jimmy C. Newman agreed to give up one of his regular Saturday night spots to allow Dolly to perform. She was introduced by Johnny Cash before performing a cover of George Jones' "You Gotta Be My Baby" and receiving three encores. Dolly and Uncle Bill were signed to Tree Publishing and released one single together on Circle-B Records prior to Dolly signing a one single deal with Mercury Records in January 1962. The single, "It's Sure Gonna Hurt", was released in August and failed to chart. Dolly recorded six songs in 1963 for the Somerset Records budget compilation album Hits Made Famous by Country Queens. Three selections were songs made famous by Kitty Wells and the three others were traditional ballads.

After graduating high school in May 1964, Dolly moved to Nashville the next day. Her initial success came as a songwriter, when Fred Foster, owner of Combine Music and Monument Records, signed her to a publishing and recording deal. During this early period at Monument, Dolly wrote songs that were recorded by a variety of artists, including Bill Phillips, Skeeter Davis, Hank Williams Jr., and even Kitty Wells. Foster originally felt that Dolly's voice was not suited for country and tried to market her as a pop singer with the release of her first five singles for the label: "What Do You Think About Lovin'" (1964), "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" (1965), "Busy Signal" (1966), "Don't Drop Out" (1966), and "The Little Things" (1966). The most successful of these releases was "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby", which managed to peak at number 108 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart.

Following the success of Bill Phillips' recording of the Parton-Owens composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" (featuring uncredited harmony by Dolly) in 1966, Foster was finally persuaded to allow Dolly to record country material.

"Dumb Blonde" was released as a single in November 1966 and debuted at number 64 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated January 21, 1967. It peaked at number 24 on the chart dated March 18, its ninth week on the chart. It charted for a total of 14 weeks. It also peaked at number 10 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.

"Something Fishy", was released in May 1967 and debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 10. It peaked at number 17 on the chart dated August 5, its ninth week on the chart, becoming Dolly's first top 20 hit. It charted for 12 weeks. It also peaked at number 16 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.

The release of Hello, I'm Dolly was likely pushed back several times. In Dolly's 1994 autobiography, My Life and Other Unfinished Business, the release date is given as February 1967, but this date is contradicted by an interview Dolly gave in June 1967, where she states that the album "should be out by the end of this month." The album's release was announced for September 1967 by Cashbox, and Record World, following Dolly's debut as a regular on The Porter Wagoner Show on September 5. It was finally released September 18, 1967, on LP.

The Grascals on Friday, August 29, 2025, released "Broken Angels", a duet with Dolly, as the first single from their upcoming album on Billy Blue Records. The song was written by band member Jamie Johnson and Dolly about a mutual friend struggling with addiction and depression. The song is available now on all music platforms. 

The following Friday, Zac Brown Band released a duet with Dolly titled "Butterfly" from their Love & Fear album, due in December from Master of None, LLC. It was released as a double A-side single with "Give It Away", serving as the album's third and fourth singles. "Butterfly" was written by Zac Brown, Sasha Sirota, and San Auerbach. A music video for the track was released the same day. The single is available now on all music platforms.

Coming on November 7, 2025, Opry 100: Country's Greatest Songs, will feature live tracks of some of the greatest songs to be performed on the Grand Ole Opry. Dolly's 2007 performance of "I Will Always Love You" with Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart from Porter Wagoner's 50th Opry anniversary show is included on the album, marking the performance's first commercial release. The album is available for pre-order on CD and LP from the Opry Shop here.