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Image credit: RCA / Wesco Music Group
Randel Huston Parton​ (December 15, 1953 – January 21, 2021) was a singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the eighth of twelve children born to Lee and Avie Lee Parton. Perhaps best known as Dolly's younger brother, Randy pursued a music career of his own, releasing several albums and singles. He learned and played bass guitar in sister Stella Parton's first country band with cousins Dale and Dwight Puckett. They performed on Stella's 1972 album, Stella (And the Gospel Carrolls). Randy later worked for singer Jean Shepard before playing and singing backup in Dolly's Travelin' Family Band in the mid-1970s. He appeared in her 1984 film, Rhinestone, contributing the song "Too Much Water" to the soundtrack, in addition to singing backing vocals on other tracks. Though his success never reached the heights of his famous sister, he made notable contributions to country and pop music. 

In 1986, Randy began performing regularly at Dollywood and hosted his own show for many years. In the late 1990s, he and sister Rachel performed at the park as a group called Honey Creek with Lakieta Bagwell and Jimmy Bryant, but eventually returned to his own show.
​​Beginning in 2005 he stopped performing at the park to pursue his own endeavors. He returned to perform at Dollywood's new Dreamsong Theater from 2013 through 2017 in the My People show. The show was revamped in 2018, becoming My People, My Music.

Randy was married to his wife Debra (Deb) and together they had two daughters, Tever and Heidi. Heidi performed with her dad in his show at Dollywood from a very young age, and has become a singer, songwriter, and performer in her own right. Randy also fathered a son, Sabyn Mayfield, who is a filmmaker, singer, and songwriter.

Studio albums

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Album cover. Inspiration (LP-2572) (1972)
​Stella (And the Gospel Carrolls) is the debut solo studio album by Stella Parton. It was released in September 1972 by Inspiration Records. The Gospel Carrolls are Stella's brother Randy and cousins Dale and Dwight Puckett. The album was produced by Stella's uncle Louis Owens and features backing vocals by uncle Bill Owens and sister Dolly.

Stella wrote about the album on her website in 2008 saying, "This was the first solo recording of my career.  I was working mostly gospel music events, such as churches, "all night singings," and Christian radio and television shows.  The group consisted of my sister, Cassie singing harmony, Bobby Cox, singing and playing piano and bass player and singer, Clayton Head.
 
"This album was recorded on a cold winter day.  My Uncle Louis produced.  My Uncle Bill and sister Dolly dropped by and sang harmony on a couple of songs.  "Ragged Angel" and "Try Him You'll Like Him" were released as singles and made the gospel music charts."

Track listing

  1. Jesus Marching (Stella Parton) 1:59
  2. I Shall Not Be Moved (Traditional, arr. by Stella Parton) 1:57
  3. Search Our Souls (Bill Owens) 1:59
  4. How Great Is Jesus (Stella Parton, Joann Boling) 2:31
  5. Better Place to Live (Dolly Parton) 2:39
  6. Try Him, You'll Like Him (Stella Parton) 2:35
  7. The Choice (Stella Parton, Dale Puckett) 2:36
  8. Yes, I See God (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:29
  9. Me and Jesus (Got Our Own Thing Going) (Tom T. Hall) 2:32
  10. Ragged Angel (Dolly Parton) 2:24

Personnel

​Note: There are no credits on the LP, so these credits have been compiled from other sources.
  • The Gospel Carrolls:
    • Randy Parton
    • Dale Puckett
    • Dwight Puckett
  • Bill Owens – background vocals
  • Louis Owens – producer
  • ​Dolly Parton – background vocals
  • Stella Parton – lead vocals
A Few Words from Dolly Parton About Her Sister, Stella:
Stella and I are sisters from a family of twelve children and we grew up where singing is as natural as just being there. We grew up singing gospel songs in the little country church that our granddaddy, Brother Jake Owens, pastored. We did a lot of singing in different churches around our mountain home area in Sevier County, Tennessee. Almost all of our family sings
and plays some kind of musical instrument. Stella was always a very religious girl and most all of her activities were centered around church and the religious side of life. She was always very devoted and never cared about singing any kind of music except gospel music. She is a very sensitive and deep person and her singing reveals her warmth, sincerity, and honesty. I always described her voice as "heart singing"...it just comes out as a real honest way of putting to music the way a person would tell you something honestly. I have always believed that she was born to spread the word of God in songs. Some people are born for different reasons and all things are for a purpose and I truly believe that working for God in this manner is her purpose. Some of the songs in this album were wriften by Stella. She is also a very good writer. The songs she writes have meaning and depth. I'm sure that you will especially like the songs written by her as I do. I am also very pleased and honored that she included two of my songs, "Ragged Angel" and "A Better Place to Live". I hope that you will like them. I'm very proud of Stella and I hope that you will accept her and help her in her work which is truly for the Glory of God.

With Love, 
                     Dolly Parton
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Album cover. Meteor (SKYL 7003) (1978)
There Was a Dream is the debut studio album by Randy Parton. It was released by Irish label Meteor Records in 1978. The album features Randy's version of "Steady as the Rain" which was written by Dolly and would be a number 26 country hit for their sister Stella the following year. The back cover features liner notes by Dolly.

Track listing

  1. The Best Side of Me (Pete Sumner)
  2. I Go to Pieces (Del Shannon)
  3. Other Women (Randy Parton)
  4. Cowboy and a Lady (Anderson)
  5. In My Arms Again (Del Shannon)
  6. Steady as the Rain (Dolly Parton)
  7. Just for You (Colm Wilkinson)
  8. You Light Up My Life (Joe Brooks)
  9. What Am I Gonna Do (Colm Wilkinson)
  10. I Love Her (Floyd Parton)
  11. Cat Fight (Pete Sumner)
  12. There Was a Dream (Colm Wilkinson)

A Note from Dolly

I suppose it's only natural to be proud of the ones you love the most – especially when you feel you have every reason to be proud.
I remember how proud I was when my new baby brother, Randle Houston Parton (later to be shortened to Randy), came to live with us in our old mountain shack in East Tennessee. He would be sharing a home with seven other children – four more to be born after him, making a total of twelve – six girls and six boys.
Even tho we were poor and times were often hard, we looked forward to each new child. It always seemed to brighten up the old homeplace.
Randy especially was a bright spot in all our lives, a bright, loving little boy with a mischievous smile and big summer green eyes filled with wonder and big dreams.
He soon grew from a frail little boy to a handsome young man with the same summer green eyes, still filled with wonder
and dreams, and a voice the Smoky Mountain songbirds would envy.
Because of a loving yet strong nature, Randy is able to project great emotion in every song he sings. He makes you feel that you've lived every story.
I have great respect for my brother Randy as a person, as well as a singer, writer, and musician. I feel that Randy has the talent, personality, looks, and ambition to be a real *SuperStar*.
I have been in the music business for many years and I've seen lots of talented people and I would put Randy up there with the best of them.

Partial you say?
Maybe, but I don't think so.

Musically yours,
Dolly Parton
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Album cover. Electric (1981)
Shot Full of Love is the second studio album by Randy Parton. It was released by Electric Records in 1981. The album was produced by Randy with Steve A. Gibson and Mike Post (who had produced Dolly's 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs album the previous year). The first two singles, "Hold Me Like You Never Had Me" and the title track, both peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The third single, "A Stranger in Her Bed", reached number 92.

Track listing

  1. Shot Full of Love (Bob McDill)
  2. Please Don't Lie (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton)
  3. Woman Alone (Randy Handley)
  4. Hold Me Like You Never Had Me (Robert Byrne, Tom Brasfield)
  5. Waltz Across Texas (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton)
  6. A Stranger in Her Bed (Bill Shore, David Wills, Blake Mevis)
  7. Runaway Hearts (Eddie Setter, Troy Seals)
  8. You'll Always Get Your Way (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton)
  9. Don't Cry Baby (David Finnerty)
  10. Singin' the Blues (Melvin Endsley)

Personnel

  • Steve A. Gibson – producer
  • Randy Parton – lead vocals, producer
  • Mike Post – producer
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Album cover. Chrome (120MS) (c. 1986) / Remastered artwork by The Dolly Parton Discography
Goin' Dancin' is the third studio album by Randy Parton. it was released c. 1986 by Chrome Records. It was produced by Randy with John D. Loudermilk.

Track listing

  1. Goin' Dancin' (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  2. Heart Don't Fail Me Now (Randy Parton, Bill Owens, Frank Dycus)
  3. Makin' Love (Randy Parton, Frank Dycus)
  4. What's a Boy to Do (Randy Parton, Rachel Dennison, Floyd Parton)
  5. The Last Thing on My Mind (Tom Paxton)
  6. Heartbreak Blues (Randy Parton, Rachel Dennison, Floyd Parton)
  7. Old Loves (Randy Parton, Rachel Dennison, Floyd Parton)
  8. Finders Keepers (Randy Parton, Rachel Dennison, Floyd Parton)
  9. Medley (with the Dollywood Band)

Personnel and credits

  • John D. Loudermilk – producer
  • Randy Parton – lead vocals, producer

  • Recorded at Nashville Sound Connection
​
Special thanks to John D. and Diane Loudermilk
America, From Where I Stand is the fourth studio album by Randy Parton. It was released independently by Randy in 1991 on cassette. The album was produced by Al Henson and Steve Messer, with Randy serving as executive producer. All tracks on the album were written or co-written by Randy, Floyd, or Rachel Parton (Dennison), and Neal Davenport contributed to one track.

Track listing

  1. One Love Deserves Another (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton, Rachel Dennison)
  2. Foolin' Around (Floyd Parton)
  3. Family (Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins)
  4. Love Is on the Line (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton)
  5. America, From Where I Stand (Neal Davenport, Randy Parton)
  6. That's the Way Love Goes (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton, Rachel Dennison)
  7. It Only Takes a Spark (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  8. House for Sale in America (Floyd Parton)
  9. Radio Man (Floyd Parton)
  10. Dr. Love (Randy Parton, Frank Dycus)

Personnel and credits

  • Dennis Carney - cover photo
  • Al Henson – producer
  • Steve Messer – engineer, producer
  • Randy Parton – lead vocals, executive producer
  • Al Henson – producer

Thanks to Dolly, and the Dollywood executives for making this album possible.
Special thanks to Neal Davenport for his longtime friendship, and sharing his talent.
Thanks, Deb and the Flange Bros.

Cast albums

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Album cover. The Dollywood Company (2013)
Dolly Parton's My People (The Original Cast Album) is a soundtrack album by the cast of Dolly Parton's My People, which ran at Dollywood from 2013 through 2017, and features Dolly on several tracks. It was released on November 9, 2013, by The Dollywood Foundation as the park kicked off their annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. The show featured Dolly's brother Randy Parton, sister Cassie Parton, cousin Debbie Jo Puckett, niece Heidi Parton, cousin Dwight Puckett, and niece Jada Star. The album was only sold at Dollywood for a short time and is out of print, making it extremely hard to find.

Track listing

  1. My Mountains, My Home   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 4:21
  2. In the Pines   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Traditional) 2:19
  3. My Tennessee Mountain Home   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 1:44
  4. Tip-Toe, Tip-Toe, Little Dolly Parton / Little Tiny Tassletop   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 1:32
  5. Mama / Being Dad   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 4:38
  6. The Dinner Bucket Song   Original Cast (Dolly Parton) 1:24
  7. Coat of Many Colors   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:20
  8. Dumb Blonde   Original Cast (Curly Putman) 1:48
  9. Applejack   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 1:26
  10. Family   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins) 3:47
  11. Travelin' Family Band   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 0:57
  12. I Will Always Love You   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:52
  13. 9 to 5   Original Cast and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 1:27
  14. My Mountains, My Home (Reprise)   Original Cast (Dolly Parton) 1:31

Extended plays

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Cassette cover. Extended edit by The Dolly Parton Discography.
100% is an extended play by Randy Parton. It was released independently by Randy on cassette and likely only sold at his shows at Dollywood.

Track listing

  1. 100% (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  2. Where There's Smoke, There's Fire (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  3. Blinded by My Love (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  4. My Kingdom (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  5. Late Night Show (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)
  6. Not Enough Romance (Randy Parton, Bill Owens)

Personnel

  • John D. Loudermilk Jr. – engineer
  • Steve Messer – engineer
  • L. Wayne Parler – cover photo
  • Randy Parton – lead vocals
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Cassette cover. Edit by The Dolly Parton Discography.
Finders Keepers is an extended play by Randy Parton. It was released independently by Randy on cassette and likely only sold at his shows at Dollywood. It was produced by Randy and Mike Post. They had previously collaborated on Randy's 1981 album, Shot Full of Love.

Track listing

  1. Lu Ann
  2. Afraid to Make the First Move
  3. Down the Road
  4. Could Have BeenOld Loves
  5. Finders Keepers

Personnel

  • Randy Parton – lead vocals, producer
  • ​Mike Post – producer

Singles

A-SIDE / B-SIDE (LABEL; CATALOG #; RELEASE DATE) CHART PEAK
Chart positions are from the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
  • Tennessee Born / If You Were Mine (RCA Victor; PB-10261; May 1975)
  • Losing Everything / In Love (RCA; JA-10432; November 1975)
  • Down / Just as Good as Gone (RCA; PB-10877; 1977)
  • Hold Me Like You Never Had Me / My Blue Tears (RCA; PB-12137; February 1981) #30
  • Shot Full of Love / Please Don't Lie (RCA; PN-12271; July 1981) #30
  • Don't Cry Baby / Again and Again (RCA; PB-12351; November 1981) #80
  • Oh, No / Hold Me Like You Never Had Me (RCA; PB-13087; March 1982) #76
  • Roll On Eighteen Wheeler / You'll Always Get Your Way (RCA; PB-13309; August 1982)
  • A Stranger in Her Bed / Walk Across Texas (RCA; PB-13608; September 1983) #92

Other album appearances

TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR

​ * Randy provided backing vocals on these tracks.
** Randy provided backing vocals as a member of The House of Prayer Congregation.
*** "Oh Tennessee" samples Randy's 1975 single, "Tennessee Born".