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Image credit: Owepar
Robert Henry Owens (July 2, 1931 – November 28, 2003) was  a singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, the fifth of eight children born to Rev. Jake Owens and his wife Rena. He began his journey in country music during the late 1940s alongside his younger brothers, Louis and Bill Owens. However, his burgeoning career faced an interruption when he was drafted into the Army in 1951, serving in the Korean War and subsequently with the U.S. Air Force. In 1958, he began using the stage name John Henry III and made a return to the music scene, recording rockabilly and swamp pop for Goldband Records in Louisiana. He played a crucial role in securing his niece Dolly's first recording contract. In the late 1970s, John Henry III performed at Silver Dollar City Tennessee and in 1984 appeared in Dolly's movie, Rhinestone, as part of the band Wild Possum. Starting in 1986, he was a frequent performer at Dollywood with his siblings as The Kinfolks.

Studio albums

The Smoky Mountain Vagabond Sings is a studio album by John Henry III. It was released in 1977 by Royal American Records. The album features many of his previous singles and liner notes by his niece, Dolly Parton.

Track listing

  1. Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) (George Khoury, Huey Thierry)
  2. Blueberry Hill Joseph Washington)
  3. Memphis (Chuck Berry)
  4. Bring It on Home (Sam Cooke)
  5. ​You're the Reason I'm Living (Bobby Darrin)
  6. I Just Stopped By (John Henry III)
  7. Bony Moronie (Larry Williams)
  8. Right or Wrong
  9. Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry)
  10. The Bottle Song (John Henry III)
  11. Say Forever You'll Be Mine (Dolly Parton)
  12. ​Your Love Is the Way (Bill Owens)

Liner notes

John Henry III was born and raised in the Smoky Mountains. He has travelled world wide with his music. Country Blues. He calls it Country Music with a beat.

John has appeared on the world-famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, Louisiana Hayride, Porter Wagoner's television show, The Ralph Emery Show, plus many more. John now spends his summer months in Boogertown, Tennessee, near Gatlinburg, working at Silver Dollar City and other music shows in the area. When you're in the Smokies, be sure and stop to say, "Howdy, John." He'll give you a big smile and a handshake. John tours the clubs and stage shows in the winter months.

A note from Dolly

John Henry III – What a name for our uncle.

I grew up loving John Henry III, but we just called him Uncle Henry. He was always a great inspiration to me when I was growing up. He always encouraged me to keep trying to better myself and my music. He told me I would one day be the star I dreamed of being. He believed in me.

I believe in him too. I think he sings country blues better than anybody. He has his own style. His voice is distinctly different, like mine. We always called him the country Fats Domino even though he refers to himself as the Smoky Mountain Vagabond. That's a better title for him really. He is a happy and free person who feels at home anywhere. As long as he can take his music with him.

There is one song I love to hear him sing most – "Say Forever You'll Be Mine". I could say I might be a little partial since I wrote the song, but I don't think so. He sings it as if it might be as special to him as it is to me.

John Henry III – What a name, what an uncle!!

                            Love,
                                 Dolly Parton
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Album cover. Goldband (GRLP-7784) (1982)
The Vagabond is a studio album by John Henry III. It was released in 1982 by Goldband Records.

Track listing

  1. Just Because (Lloyd Price)
  2. Go Dan Tucker (Bill Owens)
  3. Baby Please Don't Leave Me (Bill Owens)
  4. I Heard What You Didn't Say (Bill Owens)
  5. Wrapped Around Your Finger (Bill Owens)
  6. I Just Stopped By (Robert Henry Owens)
  7. Your the Reason I'm Living (Bobby Darin)
  8. My Day's Are Darker Than Your Nights (Robert Henry Owens)
  9. Matilda (I Cry and Cry for You) (George Khoury, Huey Thierry)
  10. You Just Answered the Question (Robert Henry Owens, Louis Owens, Bill Owens)

Liner notes

John Henry III can definitely be termed a vagabond. So take a good look at the face on this LP, because someday no telling when, you might look up and there will be John Henry III on your TV screen or in your favorite club, or standing in the street washing his car. John Henry III has a habit of just popping up out of nowhere. One of those, now you see him, now you don't fellows. Amazingly enough, he is always welcome wherever and whenever he appears.
Everybody just seems to love this vagabond character.
John Henry III's list of people he has gone on stage with is endless and his background in music is fantastic to say the least. So rather than give you a long list of who John Henry is related to or the greats he has worked with, I just say to you when this vagabond appears in your midst, make him welcome and you'll be glad you did.

                                                     The Fox

Extended plays

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EP side A label. Hillbilly Heaven (H.H.45-1972) (1972)
John Henry III Sings Country Blues is an extended play by John Henry III. It was released in 1972 by Hillbilly Heaven Records. It was produced by Early Dixon, John Henry III, and Bill Owens.

Track listing

  1. Say Forever You'll Be Mine (Dolly Parton) 2:08
  2. The Bottle Song (John Henry III, Louis Owens) 2:32
  3. Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry) 2:40
  4. Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) (George Khoury, Huey Thierry) 2:23

Singles

​A-SIDE / B-SIDE (LABEL; CATALOG #; RELEASE DATE)
Robert Owens and the Nite Twisters:
  • ​Wrapped Around Your Finger / Never Had the Blues (Folk-Star; F-1111/F-1112; 1954)
Robert Owens and the Owens Singers:
  • I'm Too Tired to Rock / Father (Goldband; 45-1069; 1958)
Robert Owens:
  • I'm in Love with My Sister / It's Too Late Now (Rose; R-102; 1967)
John Henry III:
  • My Days Are Darker Than Your Nights / I Heard What You Didn't Say (Circle-B; 45-107; 1969)
John Henry and the Country Blues:
  • Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) / You Just Answered the Question (Music City; MC-45-108; 1970)
John Henry III and the Country Blues:
  • Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) / You Just Answered the Question (Monument; Mn45-1218; July 1970)
  • Say Forever You'll Be Mine / Blueberry Hill (Circle-B; C.B. 45-811; 1972)
  • Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) / Baby Hurry Home (Samter; 217; 1973)
  • Your Love Is the Way / Memphis (Country Blues; C.B. 813; 1974)
  • Bring It on Home / I Just Stopped By (Royal American; RA-124; 1974)
  • The Bottle Song / You're the Reason I'm Living (Royal American; RA-142; 1975)
  • Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) / Bony Moronie (Royal American; RA-146; 1976)
John Henry III and His Niece Dolly Parton / John Henry III:
  • Mathilda (I Cry and Cry for You) / Bony Moronie (Country Blues; C.B.RA-146; 1977)
John Henry III:
  • Kaliga No. 2 (Live) / Bony Moronie (Live) (Booger Town; BT-3; 1978)
  • Wrapped Around Your Finger / Go Dan Tucker (Goldband; G-1279; 1979)
  • I Just Stopped By / You're the Reason I'm Living (Goldband; G-1282; 1979)
  • Just Because / My Days Are Darker Than Your Nights (Goldband; G-1293; 1980)
  • I Won't Live to See Tomorrow / Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You) (Goldband; G-1297; 1980)
  • Go Dan Tucker / Wrapped Around Your Finger (Booger Town; JH-725; unknown)

Other album appearances

​TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
  • Shine On / Dolly Parton* / Hungry Again / 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 Just Stopped By / John Henry Owens and Dolly Parton / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / 2024

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