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The Kinfolks were members of Dolly's family that formed a band to record music and perform together. The band was primarily comprised of Dolly's aunt Dorothy Jo Owens, uncles Bill Owens, Louis Owens, and John Henry III, and cousins Dale Puckett and Dwight Puckett. They made several recordings together throughout the years and released various compilations.
The group's origins date back to the 1967 album Songs of the Smokie Mountains, credited to Bill Owens and the Kinfolk (his father Rev. Jake Owens and sister Dorothy Jo Owens). Bill was joined by his brother Louis Owens and nephew Dwight Puckett to form Billy Earl and the Kinfolks. Together they released one extended play and toured with Dolly as part of her band in the summer of 1967. In 1969, Bill, Louis, and Dwight (credited as The Kinfolks) backed their cousin Ralph Loveday on one single, "You Should See Me Tomorrow / I'm Not Two Faced", on Bill's Circle-B Records. The single was re-released later that year by Starday Records, with the A and B sides swapped. |
In the late 1970s, Bill founded Bill Owens' Smoky Mountain Music Barn, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Among the earliest music theaters in town, Bill and then-wife Kathy performed there with The Kinfolks. When Dollywood opened in 1986, The Parton Back Porch Theater was built on the backside of a replica of the Tennessee Mountain Home as a fitting place for The Kinfolks to "pick and grin." Throughout the years, they were joined on stage by other family members including John Henry's daughter Tina Owens, Bill's daughter Tammy Styles, Louis' son Richie Owens, Dorothy Jo's daughter Debbie Jo Puckett, and Dolly's niece Rebecca Seaver. Non-family members (referred to as "no-kin friends") also joined them on stage. After shows, The Kinfolks would happily sign autographs and take photos with park visitors at the foot of the stage where their music was exclusively sold. They performed at Dollywood for over 25 years. In 2012, the band retired, and a revamped family-oriented production took over in the new Dreamsong Theater called My People. Original members of The Kinfolks, Debbie Jo and Dwight, were joined by Dolly's sister Cassie Parton and brother Randy Parton, and the next generation of Owenses and Partons in this production.
Discographical note:
Due to many of The Kinfolks' releases not having release years in the liner notes, I have done my best to sort them into chronological order and sort them by type. Notes have been provided to help cross-reference tracks that were released more than once. The first known release of a recording is considered its originating source. All notes on this page were accurate at the time they were written based on the information available.
Due to many of The Kinfolks' releases not having release years in the liner notes, I have done my best to sort them into chronological order and sort them by type. Notes have been provided to help cross-reference tracks that were released more than once. The first known release of a recording is considered its originating source. All notes on this page were accurate at the time they were written based on the information available.
Studio albums
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Songs of the Smokie Mountains is a studio album by Bill Owens and the Kinfolk (his father Rev. Jake Owens and sister Dorothy Jo Owens). It was released in 1967 by REM Records. It was recorded at Dorothy Jo's home in East Tennessee. The album was pressed in a small quantity and became a sought after collector's item among folk music fans. It was released digitally for the first time on December 20, 2024, by Owepar Records and released on CD in May 2025.
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Track listing
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Personnel
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Appalachian Memories: A Tribute to Dolly is a studio album by The Kinfolks. It was released independently in 1989 on cassette. The lineup of the group featured on this album includes Louis Owens, his son Richie Owens, Dorothy Jo Owens, and her son Dwight Puckett. The album was later repackaged as The Kinfolks at Dollywood with the addition of two live tracks. Both versions of the album were likely only sold at Dollywood when the group performed at the park.
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Track listing
Appalachian Memories: A Tribute to Dolly (1989)
- My Tennessee Mountain Home The Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 2:07
- Applejack Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 2:29
- Coat of Many Colors Dorothy Jo Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 2:52
- Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man Dorothy Jo Owens, Louis Owens, and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:31
- Old Black Kettle Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 2:23
- Those Memories of You Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Alan O'Bryant) 2:48
- When Possession Gets Too Strong Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Louis Owens) 2:13
- In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) The Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 2:21
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The Kinfolks at Dollywood (c. 1993)
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Smoky Mountain Gospel is a studio album by The Kinfolks. It was released in the early 1990s on cassette. The lineup of the group featured on this album includes Rev. Jake Owens, his children Bill Owens, Dorothy Jo Owens, and Louis Owens, and grandchildren Debbie Jo Puckett, Kim Owens, and Tammy Owens. It was likely only sold at Dollywood when the group performed at the park.
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Track listing
- It Is No Secret Louis Owens (Stuart Hamblen) 3:29
- This Little Pilgrim Debbie Jo Puckett (Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:27
- Amazing Grace Louis Owens (John Newton) 3:13
- Bought with a Price Debbie Jo Puckett (C. Austin Miles) 3:26
- How Beautiful Heaven Must Be Louis Owens (Gloria Gaither) 1:55
- Singing His Praise Dorothy Jo Owens, Rev. Jake Owens, and the Kinfolks (Jake R. Owens) 2:55
- The Book of Life Dorothy Jo Owens, Rev. Jake Owens, and the Kinfolks (Jake R. Owens) 2:10
- Where the Soul Never Dies Rev. Jake Owens and the Kinfolks (William M. Golden) 2:37
- Lost Sheep on the Mountain Rev. Jake Owens and the Kinfolks (William J. Kilpatrick) 2:24
- A House of Gold Bill Owens, Kim Owens, and Tammy Owens (Hank Williams) 2:51
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The Kinfolks Band is a studio album by The Kinfolks. It was released by Kinfolks Music Group around 1992 on cassette. The lineup of the band includes siblings Louis and Dorothy Jo Owens, and Dorothy Jo's children: Dale, Dwight, and Debbie Jo Puckett. Louis and Dorothy Jo's niece Stella Parton is featured on "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)". The album was likely only sold at Dollywood when the group performed.
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Track listing
- My Tennessee Mountain Home The Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 0:40
- In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) Stella Parton (Dolly Parton) 2:22
- Applejack Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 1:21
- Coat of Many Colors Dorothy Jo Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton) 2:52
- Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man Dorothy Jo Owens, Louis Owens, and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:30
- Are You Washed in the Blood? Dwight Puckett and the Kinfolks (Elisha Hoffman) 1:20
- Those Memories of You Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Alan O'Bryant) 2:47
- Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me) Louis Owens (Hank Cochran) 1:19
- 9 to 5 (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Dolly Parton) 1:14
- A Better Man Dwight Puckett (Clint Black, Hayden Nicholas) 1:28
- Somewhere Between Louis Owens (Merle Haggard, Bonnie Owens) 1:31
- Yakety Sax (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (James Rich, Boots Randolph, Merle Travis) 1:53
- Got No Reason Now for Goin' Home Dwight Puckett (Johnny Russell) 1:26
- Workin' Man Blues Louis Owens (Merle Haggard) 1:54
- Eagle When She Flies Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton) 2:09
- I Will Always Love You Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton) 1:47
Notes:
- Tracks 3–5 and 7 are taken from The Kinfolks' 1989 album, Appalachian Memories: A Tribute to Dolly.
- All remaining tracks are previously unreleased.
Credits
- Digitally recorded and mastered at Mountain Star Recording Studio, Sevierville, Tennessee
Live albums
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The Kinfolks' Tribute to Dolly: Live at Dollywood / The Other Side of the Kinfolks is a live album by The Kinfolks. It was released in the late 1980s on cassette. The lineup of the band includes siblings Louis Owens and Dorothy Jo Owens, and Dorothy Jo's son Dwight Puckett.
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Track listing
- When Possession Gets Too Strong Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Louis Owens)
- Applejack Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton)
- Coat of Many Colors Dorothy Jo Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton)
- Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man Dorothy Jo Owens, Louis Owens, and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens)
- In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) Louis Owens and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton)
- Dr. Robert F. Thomas (Dolly Parton)
- My Tennessee Mountain Home (Dolly Parton)
- I've Been Around Enough to Know (Dickey Lee, Bob McDill)
- Take Me Home, Country Roads (Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, John Denver)
- I Can Only Be Me Dorothy Jo Owens (Dorothy Jo Owens)
- He's Leaving Me a Little at a Time Dorothy Jo Owens (Dorothy Jo Owens, Wayne Carringer)
- He's Everything I Wanted You to Be Dorothy Jo Owens (Dorothy Jo Owens)
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Kinfolks at Dollywood: A Musical Tribute to Dolly by Her Family is a live album by Louis Owens, Dwight Puckett, Dorothy Jo Owens, Debbie Jo Puckett, and Dale Puckett. It was released in 2011 by Porchpickin' Productions.
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Track listing
- My Tennessee Mountain Home Louis Owens (Dolly Parton)
- When Possession Gets Too Strong Louis Owens (Dolly Parton, Louis Owens)
- There'll Always Be Music Louis Owens (Dolly Parton)
- Those Memories of You Dwight Puckett (Alan O'Bryant)
- Applejack Dwight Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) Dwight Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- Tennessee Homesick Blues Dwight Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- Kentucky Gambler Dwight Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That Dwight Puckett (Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas)
- Coat of Many Colors Dorothy Jo Owens (Dolly Parton)
- Jolene Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- Smoky Mountain Memories Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- 9 to 5 (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Dolly Parton)
- Orange Blossom Special (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Ervin R. Rouse)
- When the Saints Go Marching In (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Traditional)
Compilation albums
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Kinfolks at Dollywood is a compilation album by The Kinfolks. It was released in 2003 by KlearTone Records. It includes performances by Bill Owens, Louis Owens, Dwight Puckett, Dale Puckett, and Debbie Jo Puckett.
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Track listing
- Cannonball Rag (Live) Bill Owens (Merle Travis) 0:35
- Instrumental (Live) Bill Owens with the Kinfolks Band 2:41
- You Gotta Be My Baby (Live) Bill Owens (George Jones) 2:18
- The Last Thing on My Mind (Live) Bill Owens (Tom Paxton) 1:34
- Put It Off Until Tomorrow Bill Owens (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 2:32
- Dreams Do Come True Bill Owens and Dolly Parton (Bill Owens) 3:34
- When Possession Gets Too Strong Louis Owens (Dolly Parton, Louis Owens) 1:56
- There'll Always Be Music Louis Owens (Dolly Parton) 3:02
- Cash on the Barrelhead Louis Owens (Ira Louvin, Charlie Louvin) 2:29
- I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair Louis Owens (Kerry Kurt Phillips, Billy Yates, Frank Dycus) 1:59
- The Fightin' Side of Me Louis Owens (Merle Haggard) 2:04
- Jolene Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton) 3:10
- Smoky Mountain Memories Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton) 3:20
- Coat of Many Colors Debbie Jo Puckett (Dolly Parton) 3:05
- Kentucky Gambler Dwight Puckett (Dolly Parton) 2:46
- Those Memories of You Dwight Puckett (Alan O'Bryant) 1:37
- Got No Reason Now for Goin' Home Dwight Puckett (Johnny Russell) 2:18
- A Better Man Dwight Puckett (Clint Black, Hayden Nicholas) 2:44
- My Tennessee Mountain Home (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Dolly Parton) 0:31
- 9 to 5 (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Dolly Parton) 1:16
- Orange Blossom Special Dale Puckett (Ervin T. Rouse) 1:26
- When the Saints Go Marching In (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Traditional) 2:52
- Welfare Blues Bill Owens (Bill Owens, Randy Parton) 2:38
- Fell Off the Wagon Bill Owens (Bill Owens) 2:34
- My Mind Has Been Cheating on You Bill Owens (Bill Owens) 3:13
- Honky Tonk Bars Bill Owens (Bill Owens, Randy Parton) 4:09
- Mr. Sandman (Instrumental) Bill Owens (Pat Ballard) 2:28
Notes:
- Tracks 1–5, 7–16, 19–21, 22, and 27 are previously unreleased.
- Tracks 6 and 23–26 are taken from Bill Owens' c. 1990 album, Dreams Do Come True.
- Tracks 17 and 18 were featured on The Kinfolks' c. 1992 album, The Kinfolks Band, in an abbreviated form.
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Daddy Was an Old Preacher Man and Other Gospel Favorites is a compilation album by The Kinfolks. It was released in 2004 by KlearTone Records. The album features performances by Rev. Jake Owens, Dorothy Jo Owens, Louis Owens, Dale Puckett, and Dwight Puckett.
Note: The back cover, spine, and disc show an abbreviated title of Kinfolks Gospel Favorites. |
Track listing
- Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man The Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:34
- Singing His Praise Dorothy Jo Owens, Rev. Jake Owens, and the Kinfolks (Jake R. Owens) 2:55
- Lost Sheep on the Mountain Rev. Jake Owens and the Kinfolks (William J. Kilpatrick) 2:31
- Gospel Medley: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms / Power in the Blood / I'll Fly Away / Singing His Praise / There'll Always Be Music The Kinfolks (Anthony J. Showalter, Elisha Hoffman / Lewis E. Jones / Albert E. Brumley / Jake R. Owens / Dolly Parton) 2:39
- God Is Living in Our Time Dwight Puckett 2:06
- When the Saints Go Marching In (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Traditional) 2:54
- It Is No Secret Louis Owens (Stuart Hamblen) 3:36
- Amazing Grace Louis Owens (John Newton) 2:59
- Working on a Building Dale Puckett (Traditional) 3:39
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken The Kinfolks (Ada R. Habershon, Charles H. Gabriel, A.P. Carter) 2:53
Notes:
- Track 1 is taken from The Kinfolks' 1989 album, Appalachian Memories: A Tribute to Dolly.
- Tracks 2, 3, and 7 are taken from The Kinfolks' c. 1990 album, Smoky Mountain Gospel.
- Tracks 4, 8, and 10 are previously unreleased.
- Tracks 5 and 9 are taken from Rev. Jake Owens' posthumous compilation, The Old Time Preacher Man.
- Track 6 is taken from The Kinfolks' 2003 compilation, Kinfolks at Dollywood.
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Kinfolks at Dollywood is a compilation album featuring Bill Owens, Louis Owens, Dwight Puckett, Dale Puckett, and Rev. Jake Owens. It was released in the mid to late 2000s by Owens Music & Real Estate Group. Dorothy Jo Owens is featured on the tracks credited to The Kinfolks, although she is not mentioned in the album's liner notes.
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Track listing
- Dreams Do Come True Bill Owens and Dolly Parton (Bill Owens) 3:32
- Welfare Blues Bill Owens (Bill Owens, Randy Parton) 2:36
- Put It Off Until Tomorrow Bill Owens (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 2:30
- Don't Let It Trouble Your Mind Bill Owens (Dolly Parton) 2:39
- Fell Off the Wagon Bill Owens (Bill Owens) 2:32
- Brand New Man Bill Owens (Bill Owens) 3:11
- My Mind Has Been Cheating on You Bill Owens (Bill Owens) 3:11
- Honky Tonk Bars Bill Owens (Bill Owens, Randy Parton) 4:07
- Lord, Help Me Bill Owens (Bill Owens) 2:30
- Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me) Louis Owens (Hank Cochran) 1:20
- Somewhere Between Louis Owens (Merle Haggard, Bonnie Owens) 2:53
- Workin' Man Blues Louis Owens (Merle Haggard) 2:51
- Those Memories of You Dwight Puckett (Alan O'Bryant) 1:38
- Orange Blossom Special (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Ervin T. Rouse) 3:06
- 9 to 5 (Instrumental) Dale Puckett (Dolly Parton) 1:16
- Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man Dorothy Jo Owens, Louis Owens, and the Kinfolks (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Owens) 2:32
- Amazing Grace Louis Owens (John Newton) 2:57
- Gospel Medley: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms / Power in the Blood / I'll Fly Away / Singing His Praise / There'll Always Be Music The Kinfolks (Anthony J. Showalter, Elisha Hoffman / Lewis E. Jones / Albert E. Brumley / Jake R. Owens / Dolly Parton) 2:36
- Lost Sheep on the Mountain Rev. Jake Owens and the Kinfolks (William J. Kilpatrick) 2:29
- Singing His Praise Dorothy Jo Owens, Rev. Jake Owens, and the Kinfolks (Jake R. Owens) 2:53
Notes:
- Tracks 1, 2, and 4–8 are taken from Bill Owens' c. 1990 album, Dreams Do Come True.
- Track 3, 13, and 14 are taken from The Kinfolks' 2003 compilation, Kinfolks at Dollywood.
- Track 9 is taken from the c. 1993 reissue of Bill Owens' Dreams Do Come True album.
- Tracks 10 and 15 are taken from The Kinfolks' c. 1992 album, The Kinfolks Band.
- Tracks 11 and 12 were featured on The Kinfolks' c. 1992 album, The Kinfolks Band, in an abbreviated form.
- Track 16 is taken from The Kinfolks' 1989 album, Appalachian Memories: A Tribute to Dolly.
- Tracks 17 and 18 are taken from The Kinfolks' 2004 compilation album, Daddy Was an Old Preacher Man and Other Gospel Favorites.
- Tracks 19 and 20 are taken from The Kinfolks' c. 1990 album, Smoky Mountain Gospel.
Extended plays
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Dolly Parton Presents Billy Earl and the Kinfolks is an extended play by Billy Earl and the Kinfolks. It was released in summer 1967 by Circle-B Records. The group consisted of brothers Bill and Louis Owens, and their nephew, Dwight Puckett. They toured with Dolly in the summer and fall of 1967 and the EP was sold at their performances. Dolly is featured on background vocals on three tracks: "Tomorrow's Tears Today", "Would You Believe", and "I'll Introduce You".
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Track listing
- Tomorrow's Tears Today
- Would You Believe
- The Right Kind of Girl (Bill Owens, Dolly Parton)
- I'll Introduce You
- Thanks to You (Bill Owens, Dolly Parton)
- Before It's Too Late
Singles
A-SIDE / B-SIDE (LABEL, CATALOG #, YEAR)
Ralph Loveday and the Kinfolks:
- You Should See Me Tomorrow / I'm Not Two Faced (Circle-B, 109, 1969)
- I'm Not Two Faces / You Should See Me Tomorrow (Starday, 871, 1969)
Other album appearances
TITLE / ARTIST / ALBUM / YEAR
- Singing His Praise (Live) / Dorothy Jo Owens, Rev. Jake Owens, and the Kinfolks / The Smokey Mountain Music Barn Live Gospel Show / 1979
- God Walks These Hills with Me (Live) / John Henry III and the Kinfolks / The Smokey Mountain Music Barn Live Gospel Show / 1979
- A House of Gold (Live) / Bill Owens and the Kinfolks / The Smokey Mountain Music Barn Live Gospel Show / 1979
- Where the Soul Never Dies (Live) / John Henry III and the Kinfolks / The Smokey Mountain Music Barn Live Gospel Show / 1979
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Live) / Dorothy Jo Owens and the Kinfolks / The Smokey Mountain Music Barn Live Gospel Show / 1979