Album cover. Owepar (2024)
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Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables is a collaborative studio album by Dolly Parton and Family. The album was released on November 15, 2024. It was produced by Dolly's cousin Richie Owens and features collaborations by Dolly and her extended family, spanning five generations of musicians. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart and number 47 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart. Its release was preceded by seven singles: "The Orchard", "Tell Me That You Love Me", "Smoky Mountain DNA", "A Rose Won't Fix It", "I Will Know", "When Possession Gets Too Strong", and "Not Bad". The album's release will be followed by a four-part documentary series in June 2025 following the family's musical roots back to Europe in the 1600s, and a companion book to be released sometime in 2025.
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Track listing
- Introduction / My Tennessee Mountain Home (Instrumental) Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:43
- My Tennessee Mountain Home Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:59
- Grooms Tune (Bonaparte's Retreat) (Instrumental) Roger Helton (Traditional) 1:41
- I'll Live in Glory Reverend Jake Owens and Dolly Parton (John Melvin Henson) 1:36
- Singing His Praise / Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man Bill Owens, Louis Owens and the Family (Jake Owens, Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Hope Owens Parton) 2:13
- I'll Meet You in the Morning Reverend Jake Owens, Avie Lee Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens and Estelle Owens Watson (Albert E. Brumley) 2:33
- Rosewood Casket Avie Lee Parton and Dolly Parton (Traditional) 2:23
- Runaway Girl Dorothy Jo Owens and Dolly Parton (Dorothy Jo Hope Owens Parton) 2:46
- I Just Stopped By John Henry Owens and Dolly Parton (Robert Owens) 3:37
- When Possession Gets Too Strong Louis Owens and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Louis Owens) 2:09
- Put It Off Until Tomorrow Bill Owens and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 2:26
- Smoky Mountain DNA Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:00
- Heart Don't Fail Me Now Stella Parton and Dolly Parton (Randy Parton, Bill Owens, Marion Franklin Dycus) 3:04
- Momma's Special Touch Cassie Parton Griffith & Dolly Parton (Avie Lee Parton) 2:49
- Take It Slow Randy Parton and Rachel Parton George (Randy Parton, Floyd Parton) 3:02
- Foolin' Around Floyd Parton and Dolly Parton (Floyd Parton) 2:50
- The Crops Came In Freida Parton and Dolly Parton (Freida Parton) 2:39
- I Will Know Rachel Parton George and Dolly Parton (Rachel Parton George, Patricia Roberts) 2:12
- Apple Jack Dwight Puckett and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:44
- It's All Wrong, But It's All Right Debbie Jo Hess and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:16
- Tell Me That You Love Me Richie Owens and Dolly Parton (Richie Owens) 3:03
- Canceled Plans Tim Rauhoff and Dolly Parton (Timothy Raohuff, Jada Star Roberts) 3:07
- The Man Danielle Parton and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:05
- The Orchard Jada Star and Dolly Parton (Jada Star Roberts) 3:11
- Holy Water Sabyn and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Sabyn Mayfield) 2:36
- A Rose Won't Fix It Heidi Parton and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:42
- Where Will We Live Tomorrow? Rebecca Seaver and Dolly Parton (Richie Owens) 2:57
- Puppy Love Dolly Parton and Family (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 1:52
- Not Bad Shelley Rená and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:05
- For Keeps Tanya Renee and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart) 2:59
- Crazy in Love with You Estelle Owens and Dolly Parton (Richie Owens) 2:04
- Be Your Own Man Lainey Parton and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:41
- Being Me Leroy Brown and Dolly Parton (Leroy Brown, Dolly Parton) 2:31
- We Might Be in Love Faith Reeann and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 3:12
- Randy Floyd Merin Seaver and Dolly Parton (Merin Seaver, Dolly Parton) 3:36
- When It's Family Dolly Parton and Family (Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins) 4:36
- Outro / Smoky Mountain DNA (Instrumental) Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:09
Background
The first mention of a family history project was by the BBC in an article published on May 17, 2024. Dolly was quoted as saying she was "tickled pink" about her Welsh roots. She added that she couldn't "give away all the secrets yet," but "all the juicy details" will be shared in a documentary later in the year. Jada Star, Dolly's niece, was also quoted in the article saying that "we're finding out about our connections with music, and how that's always been with us, that's really wonderful."
Jada was the first to mention that Dolly had been working on a new album featuring her extended family when she spoke with The U.S. Sun in a May 21, 2024 article. The article revealed the album would be titled Smoky Mountain DNA, including 30 tracks and featuring 20 family members. Jada said, "The album covers songs written about [Dolly's] childhood, her mother and father, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, all the way to her nieces and nephews. We all get to share interpretations of her songs or write our own songs for it. It has been a huge crazy project." Jada also revealed the title of the song she wrote for the album, "It's called "The Orchard". It is all about our family tree and what we share with the world."
On May 22, Nashville based production company Audience615 began taking reservations for free tickets to a three-night taping of concerts featuring Dolly and her family on May 28, 29 and 30 at Knoxville's Bijou Theater for use in the documentary.
Dolly officially announced the album and 4-part docu-series on May 24 during a press conference at Dollywood's DreamSong Theatre prior to the grand opening of The Dolly Parton Experience. She stated that the album would be released on November 15 and could include up to 40 tracks featuring living and deceased family members. She also performed the album's title track for the first time. Billboard published an article simultaneously with the press conference which included the album's cover art and stated that the first singles would be released alongside the album's pre-order on June 21.
The first two singles came on June 21 as previously reported, but the pre-order did not launch. Instead, the pre-order launched alongside the third and fourth singles on August 23. The album's complete track listing was also revealed along with revised cover art. While no explanation was given for the delay, the album's new artwork is the most likely reason.
Jada was the first to mention that Dolly had been working on a new album featuring her extended family when she spoke with The U.S. Sun in a May 21, 2024 article. The article revealed the album would be titled Smoky Mountain DNA, including 30 tracks and featuring 20 family members. Jada said, "The album covers songs written about [Dolly's] childhood, her mother and father, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, all the way to her nieces and nephews. We all get to share interpretations of her songs or write our own songs for it. It has been a huge crazy project." Jada also revealed the title of the song she wrote for the album, "It's called "The Orchard". It is all about our family tree and what we share with the world."
On May 22, Nashville based production company Audience615 began taking reservations for free tickets to a three-night taping of concerts featuring Dolly and her family on May 28, 29 and 30 at Knoxville's Bijou Theater for use in the documentary.
Dolly officially announced the album and 4-part docu-series on May 24 during a press conference at Dollywood's DreamSong Theatre prior to the grand opening of The Dolly Parton Experience. She stated that the album would be released on November 15 and could include up to 40 tracks featuring living and deceased family members. She also performed the album's title track for the first time. Billboard published an article simultaneously with the press conference which included the album's cover art and stated that the first singles would be released alongside the album's pre-order on June 21.
The first two singles came on June 21 as previously reported, but the pre-order did not launch. Instead, the pre-order launched alongside the third and fourth singles on August 23. The album's complete track listing was also revealed along with revised cover art. While no explanation was given for the delay, the album's new artwork is the most likely reason.
Content
The album features collaborations by Dolly and many of her family members, spanning five generations of musicians. Archival recordings of family members who have passed away are also included.
The album opens with an introduction by Dolly about her ancestors, beginning with her great-grandfather, J. R. Owens, who was a renowned banjo player. It was J. R. Owens who originally bought the Tennessee Mountain Home in 1931. His son, Reverend Jake Owens, was a gifted fiddle player who could be considered the patriarch of the Owens-Parton musical dynasty. Dolly's parents purchased the Tennessee Mountain Home in the 1940s and it became a sanctuary for the family and their music. This introduction is followed by a 1980s recording of Dolly singing "My Tennessee Mountain Home" with new instrumentation recorded in 2024. "Grooms Tune (Bonaparte's Retreat)" is performed by Roger Helton, who has performed at Dollywood for many years. This tune was made famous by Henry Grooms, the original owner of Rev. Jake Owens' fiddle, when he played the song before his execution in an act of defiance during the Civil War. "I'll Live in Glory" is performed by Rev. Jake Owens and Dolly, a musical reunion made possible by using a 1967 recording of Rev. Jake and his daughter Dorothy Jo performing the song in her home in Sevierville with vocals recorded by Dolly in 2024. The medley of "Singing His Praise / Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man" was recorded in 2011 with new instrumentation added in 2024 and features Dolly's uncles Bill and Louis Owens leading a congregation of family members (including Dolly). Jake Owens is joined by his daughters Avie Lee, Dorothy Jo, and Estelle on "I'll Meet You in the Morning". This low-fidelity recording dates to the 1970s and was recorded in Avie Lee's Canton's Chapel home.
Avie Lee Parton, Dolly's mother, is featured on "Rosewood Casket", a traditional ballad dating to the 1870s. Avie Lee recorded the song in 1974 and Dolly recorded her harmony part in 2023. Dolly duets with her aunt Dorothy Jo Owens on "Runaway Girl", a song written by Dorothy Jo. It was recorded in the 1970s with Dolly again adding her vocals along with new instrumental backing in 2023. Dolly's uncle Robert Owens, known by his stage name John Henry III, duets with his niece on his composition "I Just Stopped By". The track dates to 1974 and had new instrumentation and Dolly's vocals added in 2023. Dolly duets with her uncle Louis Owens on a song they wrote together, "When Possession Gets Too Strong". Dolly first recorded the song for her 1970 album The Fairest of Them All. Louis recorded this version in 1993 with Dolly's vocals and a new backing track being recorded in 2023. Dolly and her uncle Bill Owens duet on their 1966 composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow". This musical reunion uses a 1983 recording by uncle Bill mixed with new instrumentation and vocals by Dolly from 2023.
The title track and second Dolly solo track was written and recorded by Dolly especially for this album. It features backing vocals by nieces Jada Star, Rebecca Seaver, and Heidi Parton, and first cousin 1x removed Shelley Rená. Dolly joins her sister Stella on "Heart Don't Fail Me Now", an obscure B-side Stella recorded in 1987. Dolly's vocals and the new backing track were recorded in 2023. Dolly's sister Cassie is featured on a song written by their mother, "Momma's Special Touch", and recorded by Cassie and Dolly in 2010. "Take It Slow" is performed by brother Randy and sister Rachel and was written by Randy with brother Floyd. It was recorded in the mid-1970s and features new instrumentation recorded in 2023. Dolly duets with her brother Floyd on "Foolin' Around", a song Floyd wrote and recorded in the 1970s. New instrumentation and Dolly's vocals were added in 2023. Dolly joins Floyd's twin sister Freida on "The Crops Came In", a song Freida wrote and originally recorded for her Pleasant Memories album in 1989. A new backing track and Dolly's vocals were added in 2023. Dolly duets with her youngest sister Rachel on "I Will Know", a song Rachel wrote and recorded in the 1980s as an acoustic demo. The new backing track and Dolly's duet vocal were recorded in 2023. Dolly and her cousin Dwight Puckett perform a new version of Dolly's song "Applejack", a song she first recorded on her New Harvest...First Gathering album in 1977. Dolly joins Dwight's sister Debbie Jo on a recording of "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right", a song Dolly wrote and recorded on her 1977 album Here You Come Again. This new version was recorded in 2023. Dolly and her cousin Richie Owens duet on "Tell Me That You Love Me", a song written by Richie and recorded by the duo in 2024.
Dolly is joined by her nephew Tim Rauhoff, son of sister Stella, on "Canceled Plans", a song he wrote with his cousin Jada Star. Tim and Dolly recorded the song in 2024. Dolly duets with her niece Danielle Parton, the daughter of her brother Bobby, on a new version of "The Man", a song Dolly wrote and first recorded on her 1978 album Heartbreaker. They recorded the track in 2023. Jada Star, the daughter of Dolly's sister Frieda, duets with her aunt Dolly on a song she wrote titled "The Orchard". The duo recorded the track in 2023. Dolly joins nephew Sabyn, son of brother Randy, on his 2023 track "Holy Water", which incorporates new vocals from Dolly from her 1975 composition "The Seeker". Dolly's niece Heidi, daughter of brother Randy, duets with her aunt on "A Rose Won't Fix It", a song Dolly wrote and recorded for her 1998 album Hungry Again, but did not make the final track listing. It incorporates the original backing track with new vocals by Heidi and harmony vocals by Dolly recorded in 2023. Niece Rebecca Seaver, daughter of sister Cassie, duets with her aunt Dolly on "Where Will We Live Tomorrow, a song written by Richie Owens in the 1980s and recorded by Rebecca and Dolly in 2023.
Dolly revisits her first single, "Puppy Love", with several younger family members. Dolly joins Shelley Rená, granddaughter of aunt Dorothy Jo, on "Not Bad", a second song Dolly wrote and recorded for her 1998 album Hungry Again that did not make the final track listing. Once again, this song also incorporates the original backing track with new vocals by Shelley Rená and harmony vocals by Dolly recorded in 2023. Tanya Renee, another granddaughter of aunt Dorothy Jo, duets with Dolly on "For Keeps", written by Dolly and Marty Stuart. It is a third unused song from the Hungry Again sessions that received updates in 2023. Dolly duets with cousin Richie's daughter Estelle on "Crazy in Love with You", a song written by Richie in the 1980s and recorded by Dolly and Estelle in 2023.
Dolly joins the youngest generation on the last several tracks of the album. Lainey Parton, granddaughter of Dolly's brother Bobby, performs "Be Your Own Man", a fourth unused track from the Hungry Again sessions. Lainey and Dolly recorded their vocals in 2023. Dolly and Leroy Brown, son of niece Rebecca Seaver, wrote and recorded "Being Me" together in 2023. A fifth track from the Hungry Again sessions, "We Might Be in Love", was given new life as a duet by Dolly and Faith Reeann, great-granddaughter of aunt Dorothy Jo. This song first appeared in Dolly's 1999 television movie Blue Valley Songbird, but this marks its first official release, as there was no soundtrack released. Dolly and Merin Seaver, granddaughter of sister Cassie, wrote and recorded "Randy Floyd" in 2024 as a tribute to Dolly's brothers Randy and Floyd who have both passed away. "When It's Family", the final musical number, is an updated version of "Family", a song Dolly wrote with Carl Perkins and previously recorded on her 1991 album Eagle When She Flies. This new version was recorded in 2011. The album closes with a spoken word outro by Dolly.
"Until we meet again, keep the music in your heart and the mountains in your soul."
The album opens with an introduction by Dolly about her ancestors, beginning with her great-grandfather, J. R. Owens, who was a renowned banjo player. It was J. R. Owens who originally bought the Tennessee Mountain Home in 1931. His son, Reverend Jake Owens, was a gifted fiddle player who could be considered the patriarch of the Owens-Parton musical dynasty. Dolly's parents purchased the Tennessee Mountain Home in the 1940s and it became a sanctuary for the family and their music. This introduction is followed by a 1980s recording of Dolly singing "My Tennessee Mountain Home" with new instrumentation recorded in 2024. "Grooms Tune (Bonaparte's Retreat)" is performed by Roger Helton, who has performed at Dollywood for many years. This tune was made famous by Henry Grooms, the original owner of Rev. Jake Owens' fiddle, when he played the song before his execution in an act of defiance during the Civil War. "I'll Live in Glory" is performed by Rev. Jake Owens and Dolly, a musical reunion made possible by using a 1967 recording of Rev. Jake and his daughter Dorothy Jo performing the song in her home in Sevierville with vocals recorded by Dolly in 2024. The medley of "Singing His Praise / Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man" was recorded in 2011 with new instrumentation added in 2024 and features Dolly's uncles Bill and Louis Owens leading a congregation of family members (including Dolly). Jake Owens is joined by his daughters Avie Lee, Dorothy Jo, and Estelle on "I'll Meet You in the Morning". This low-fidelity recording dates to the 1970s and was recorded in Avie Lee's Canton's Chapel home.
Avie Lee Parton, Dolly's mother, is featured on "Rosewood Casket", a traditional ballad dating to the 1870s. Avie Lee recorded the song in 1974 and Dolly recorded her harmony part in 2023. Dolly duets with her aunt Dorothy Jo Owens on "Runaway Girl", a song written by Dorothy Jo. It was recorded in the 1970s with Dolly again adding her vocals along with new instrumental backing in 2023. Dolly's uncle Robert Owens, known by his stage name John Henry III, duets with his niece on his composition "I Just Stopped By". The track dates to 1974 and had new instrumentation and Dolly's vocals added in 2023. Dolly duets with her uncle Louis Owens on a song they wrote together, "When Possession Gets Too Strong". Dolly first recorded the song for her 1970 album The Fairest of Them All. Louis recorded this version in 1993 with Dolly's vocals and a new backing track being recorded in 2023. Dolly and her uncle Bill Owens duet on their 1966 composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow". This musical reunion uses a 1983 recording by uncle Bill mixed with new instrumentation and vocals by Dolly from 2023.
The title track and second Dolly solo track was written and recorded by Dolly especially for this album. It features backing vocals by nieces Jada Star, Rebecca Seaver, and Heidi Parton, and first cousin 1x removed Shelley Rená. Dolly joins her sister Stella on "Heart Don't Fail Me Now", an obscure B-side Stella recorded in 1987. Dolly's vocals and the new backing track were recorded in 2023. Dolly's sister Cassie is featured on a song written by their mother, "Momma's Special Touch", and recorded by Cassie and Dolly in 2010. "Take It Slow" is performed by brother Randy and sister Rachel and was written by Randy with brother Floyd. It was recorded in the mid-1970s and features new instrumentation recorded in 2023. Dolly duets with her brother Floyd on "Foolin' Around", a song Floyd wrote and recorded in the 1970s. New instrumentation and Dolly's vocals were added in 2023. Dolly joins Floyd's twin sister Freida on "The Crops Came In", a song Freida wrote and originally recorded for her Pleasant Memories album in 1989. A new backing track and Dolly's vocals were added in 2023. Dolly duets with her youngest sister Rachel on "I Will Know", a song Rachel wrote and recorded in the 1980s as an acoustic demo. The new backing track and Dolly's duet vocal were recorded in 2023. Dolly and her cousin Dwight Puckett perform a new version of Dolly's song "Applejack", a song she first recorded on her New Harvest...First Gathering album in 1977. Dolly joins Dwight's sister Debbie Jo on a recording of "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right", a song Dolly wrote and recorded on her 1977 album Here You Come Again. This new version was recorded in 2023. Dolly and her cousin Richie Owens duet on "Tell Me That You Love Me", a song written by Richie and recorded by the duo in 2024.
Dolly is joined by her nephew Tim Rauhoff, son of sister Stella, on "Canceled Plans", a song he wrote with his cousin Jada Star. Tim and Dolly recorded the song in 2024. Dolly duets with her niece Danielle Parton, the daughter of her brother Bobby, on a new version of "The Man", a song Dolly wrote and first recorded on her 1978 album Heartbreaker. They recorded the track in 2023. Jada Star, the daughter of Dolly's sister Frieda, duets with her aunt Dolly on a song she wrote titled "The Orchard". The duo recorded the track in 2023. Dolly joins nephew Sabyn, son of brother Randy, on his 2023 track "Holy Water", which incorporates new vocals from Dolly from her 1975 composition "The Seeker". Dolly's niece Heidi, daughter of brother Randy, duets with her aunt on "A Rose Won't Fix It", a song Dolly wrote and recorded for her 1998 album Hungry Again, but did not make the final track listing. It incorporates the original backing track with new vocals by Heidi and harmony vocals by Dolly recorded in 2023. Niece Rebecca Seaver, daughter of sister Cassie, duets with her aunt Dolly on "Where Will We Live Tomorrow, a song written by Richie Owens in the 1980s and recorded by Rebecca and Dolly in 2023.
Dolly revisits her first single, "Puppy Love", with several younger family members. Dolly joins Shelley Rená, granddaughter of aunt Dorothy Jo, on "Not Bad", a second song Dolly wrote and recorded for her 1998 album Hungry Again that did not make the final track listing. Once again, this song also incorporates the original backing track with new vocals by Shelley Rená and harmony vocals by Dolly recorded in 2023. Tanya Renee, another granddaughter of aunt Dorothy Jo, duets with Dolly on "For Keeps", written by Dolly and Marty Stuart. It is a third unused song from the Hungry Again sessions that received updates in 2023. Dolly duets with cousin Richie's daughter Estelle on "Crazy in Love with You", a song written by Richie in the 1980s and recorded by Dolly and Estelle in 2023.
Dolly joins the youngest generation on the last several tracks of the album. Lainey Parton, granddaughter of Dolly's brother Bobby, performs "Be Your Own Man", a fourth unused track from the Hungry Again sessions. Lainey and Dolly recorded their vocals in 2023. Dolly and Leroy Brown, son of niece Rebecca Seaver, wrote and recorded "Being Me" together in 2023. A fifth track from the Hungry Again sessions, "We Might Be in Love", was given new life as a duet by Dolly and Faith Reeann, great-granddaughter of aunt Dorothy Jo. This song first appeared in Dolly's 1999 television movie Blue Valley Songbird, but this marks its first official release, as there was no soundtrack released. Dolly and Merin Seaver, granddaughter of sister Cassie, wrote and recorded "Randy Floyd" in 2024 as a tribute to Dolly's brothers Randy and Floyd who have both passed away. "When It's Family", the final musical number, is an updated version of "Family", a song Dolly wrote with Carl Perkins and previously recorded on her 1991 album Eagle When She Flies. This new version was recorded in 2011. The album closes with a spoken word outro by Dolly.
"Until we meet again, keep the music in your heart and the mountains in your soul."
The Family
In order of appearance
- Reverend Jake Owens (1899–1992) – Dolly's maternal grandfather
- Avie Lee Parton (1923–2003) – Dolly's mother, daughter of Rev. Jake Owens
- Dorothy Jo Owens (1929–2008) – Dolly's aunt, daughter of Rev. Jake Owens
- Estelle Owens Watson (1921–1993) – Dolly's aunt, daughter of Rev. Jake Owens
- John Henry Owens (1931–2003) – Dolly's uncle, son of Rev. Jake Owens
- Louis Owens (1933–2014) – Dolly's uncle, son of Rev. Jake Owens
- Bill Owens (1935–2021) – Dolly's uncle, son of Rev. Jake Owens
- Stella Parton (b. 1949) – Dolly's sister
- Cassie Parton Griffith (b. 1951) – Dolly's sister
- Randy Parton (1953–2021) – Dolly's brother
- Rachel Parton George (1959) – Dolly's sister
- Floyd Parton (1957–2018) – Dolly's brother
- Freida Parton (b. 1957) – Dolly's sister
- Dwight Puckett (b. 1952) - Dolly's cousin, son of Dorothy Jo Owens
- Debbie Jo Hess (b. 1957) – Dolly's cousin, daughter of Dorothy Jo Owens
- Richie Owens (b. 1960) – Dolly's cousin, son of Louis Owens
- Tim Rauhuff (b. 1968) – Dolly's nephew, son of Stella Parton
- Danielle Parton (b. 1976) – Dolly's niece, daughter of Bobby Parton (Dolly's brother)
- Jada Star (b. 1979) – Dolly's niece, daughter of Freida Parton
- Sabyn (b. 1981) – Dolly's nephew, son of Randy Parton
- Heidi Parton (b. 1985) – Dolly's niece, daughter of Randy Parton
- Rebecca Seaver (b. 1986) – Dolly's niece, daughter of Cassie Parton Griffith
- Shelley Rená (b. 1982) – Dolly's cousin 1x removed, daughter of Dale Puckett (son of Dorothy Jo Owens)
- Tanya Renee (b. 1986) – Dolly's cousin 1x removed, daughter of Debbie Jo Hess
- Estelle Owens (b. 1997) – Dolly's cousin 1x removed, daughter of Richie Owens
- Lainey Parton (b. 2005) – Dolly's grandniece, daughter of Clint Parton (son of Bobby Parton)
- Leroy Brown (b. 2009) – Dolly's grandnephew, son of Rebecca Seaver
- Faith Reann (b. 2007) – Dolly's cousin 2x removed, daughter of Tanya Renee
- Merin Seaver (b. 2009) – Dolly's grandniece, daughter of Bryan Seaver (son of Cassie Parton Griffith)
Artwork
Original album artwork
Original album artwork. Owepar (2024)
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The original cover for Smoky Mountain DNA was revealed with the announcement of the album on June 21, 2024. It features five historic photos of Owens and Parton family members. Clockwise from the top left, Picture 1: Fred Parton (l) and Louis Owens (r) c. 1951; Picture 2: Rev. Jake Owens c. 1967; Picture 3: Dolly (l) and Bill Owens (r) c. 1962; Picture 4: Dolly on the front porch of the Tennessee Mountain Home in 1986; Picture 5: Dorothy Jo Owens (l) and Lester Owens (r) c. 1936.
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New album artwork
The album's artwork was changed on August 23, 2024, alongside the release of the third and fourth singles and the album's pre-order. The new artwork features a contemporary photo of Dolly on the front porch of the Tennessee Mountain Home in the center and four photos of family members on the left and right sides. On the left from top to bottom are, Picture 1: Richie Owens (l) and Rebecca Seaver (r); Picture 2: Fred Parton (l) and Louis Owens (r) c. 1951; Picture 3: Dorothy Jo Owens (l) and Lester Owens (r) c. 1936; Picture 4: Dolly (l) and Bill Owens (r) c. 1962. On the right from top to bottom are, Picture 1: Avie Lee Parton, June 1980; Picture 2: Phillip Owens (Dolly's great-uncle); Picture 3: Rev. Jake Owens, c. 1967; Picture 4: Louis Owens.
Singles and album track artwork
In addition to the album's seven singles, several album tracks received their own artwork that was used to promote the album on social media. They have all been collected in the gallery below.
Release and promotion
The album was released November 15, 2024, on CD, LP, digital download, and streaming. The album's official website offered an exclusive Appalachian Autumn orange vinyl, limited to 3,683 copies—a reference to the geographic coordinates (36°N 83°W) of Dolly's childhood home in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.
Singles
"The Orchard" by Dolly and niece Jada Star and "Tell Me That You Love Me" by Dolly and cousin Richie Owens were released as the album's first two singles on June 21, 2024.
"Smoky Mountain DNA" by Dolly and The Family and "A Rose Won't Fix It" by Dolly and niece Heidi Parton were released as the third and fourth singles on August 23.
The fifth single, "I Will Know" by Dolly and sister Rachel Parton George, will be released on September 13.
"When Possession Get's Too Strong", a duet by Dolly and her uncle Louis Owens, was released as the sixth single on September 30. Louis passed away in 2014 and appears on this track through an archival recording.
The seventh and final single, "Not Bad", by Dolly and her cousin Shelley Rená, was released on October 18.
"Smoky Mountain DNA" by Dolly and The Family and "A Rose Won't Fix It" by Dolly and niece Heidi Parton were released as the third and fourth singles on August 23.
The fifth single, "I Will Know" by Dolly and sister Rachel Parton George, will be released on September 13.
"When Possession Get's Too Strong", a duet by Dolly and her uncle Louis Owens, was released as the sixth single on September 30. Louis passed away in 2014 and appears on this track through an archival recording.
The seventh and final single, "Not Bad", by Dolly and her cousin Shelley Rená, was released on October 18.
Documentary series
The album will be accompanied by a four-part documentary series set to be released in June 2025 to all major streaming platforms and music retailers. The series is described as an unprecedented exploration of Dolly's rich family heritage. The official synopsis for the series says, "Smoky Mountain DNA shines a spotlight on the enduring legacy of two families—Dolly's paternal Parton family and her maternal family, the Owens. Both families' legacies are traced from their origins in the British Isles of the 1600s to their home today in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Through this release, audiences will discover the treasured heritage that has been preserved and echoed in the music and vibrant culture of Appalachia." The series will also included concert performances filmed at Knoxville's historic Bijou Theatre in May 2024.
Critical reception
The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Barry Mazor said, "Ms. Parton has orchestrated this quite touching project to emphasize constant sonic evolution and generational change as much as continuity. And that only further links the whole family context to the broadening, changeable course of her own career." He summarized the album by saying that "[Dolly's] musical family […] is shown evolving in interests and sounds right along with changing times, no matter how strong their mountain roots. That's the "DNA" this album centers on. It says strongly, "I'm one of these people." In a positive review for The Daily Mail (4/5 stars), Adriana Thrills described the album as "an epic labor of love," "a remarkably comprehensive homage to her roots in rural Tennessee," and "an ambitious testament to her family legacy." She felt that the album's content is "strikingly varied, which is both a strength and a weakness for anyone with the time to listen to it in a single sitting." Grant Britt reviewed the album positively for No Depression, saying that "fans will welcome [the album] as a valued part of their collection. And with a wide swath of styles and Parton's revelatory exploration of her own history, it's a strong draw for younger Americana audiences as well."
In a mixed review for The Arts Desk (3/5 stars), Joe Muggs called the album "sentimental as hell" and opined that "if you’ve got an aversion to country twang, this is unlikely to be the record to convert you."
The album's only negative review came from Lisa Wright at The Guardian (2/5 stars). She felt that "at first it's impossible not to be charmed, […] however, by the time we reach today's series of young hopefuls and vaguely musical cousins, it all just feels like an exercise in well-meaning nepotism."
In a mixed review for The Arts Desk (3/5 stars), Joe Muggs called the album "sentimental as hell" and opined that "if you’ve got an aversion to country twang, this is unlikely to be the record to convert you."
The album's only negative review came from Lisa Wright at The Guardian (2/5 stars). She felt that "at first it's impossible not to be charmed, […] however, by the time we reach today's series of young hopefuls and vaguely musical cousins, it all just feels like an exercise in well-meaning nepotism."
Commercial performance
Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables debuted and peaked at number one on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart and has charted for seven weeks as of January 14, 2025. It also debuted and peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Production
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Photography personnel
- Steven Bennett – Cropready Festival photos
- John Seakwood (Disney ABC Television Group) – Dolly on porch of Tennessee Mountain Home
- Allen Jette – cover photo of Dolly Parton
- Dianne Milam (USA Today Network) – Avie Lee Parton cover photo, Avie Lee Parton and Dorothy Jo Owens photo
- Owens-Parton family – all other photos
Releases
FORMAT / TITLE / LABEL & CATALOG # / REGION / RELEASE DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)
- 2xCD / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / Owepar (198704119378) / Various / 11-15-2024
- 3xLP* / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / Owepar (198704119354) / Various / 11-15-2024 (black)
- 3xLP* / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / Owepar (198704119354) / Various / 11-15-2024 (Appalachian autumn orange)
- Digital download / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / Owepar / Various / 11-15-2024
- Streaming / Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables / Owepar / Various / 11-15-2024
* Since the black vinyl and Appalachian autumn orange vinyl have the same barcode/catalog number, the only way to differentiate between them is that sealed copies of the Appalachian orange vinyl have a hype sticker indicating its color.