A Musical Journey With Dolly Parton and Family

“Old Time Preacher Man” Jacob Robert Owens was a teacher, musician, singer, songwriter, and patriarch of a musical dynasty. In 1918, he acquired a fiddle reputed to have once belonged to his great-granduncle, Henry Grooms, a local fiddle player who was executed by Confederate irregulars in the final days of the Civil War. The fiddle not only became Jake’s favored instrument but also the centerpiece of a family legend. Jake Owens loved both sacred and secular music and instilled a love of music in his children and grandchildren that has continued on through future generations.

Estelle Mae Owens was the first child of Jake and Rena Owens and began singing with her father at an early age. She performed with the family group in the 1930s, but stepped away from the spotlight as she grew older. In 1947, she and her husband, Dot Walker Watson, moved to Knoxville. Her siblings became frequent guests at their home, and when her niece Dolly Parton began performing at the age of 10, Aunt Estelle’s house became her second home. Over the years, as family members pursued their own musical careers, Estelle often served as a de facto “road manager” for her many talented relatives.

Avie Lee Owens showed musical talent from an early age as both a guitar player and outstanding vocalist. In 1939 she married Robert Lee Parton and her attention turned to raising a family, which would eventually include 12 children. Avie Lee made sure to share her love of music with each one of her children and her many grandchildren. She rarely sought the spotlight, but did record a 1968 gospel album with her daughters, Willadeene, Stella, and Cassie as The Parton Family. Avie Lee also made several recordings later in life, and in 1980, briefly toured with her sister, Dorothy Jo Owens, as part of the Southern Grassroots Music Tour.

Dorothy Jo Owens began playing guitar at the age of five but soon became fascinated with the banjo. She taught herself how to play on her Uncle Phillip Owens’ banjo and was rewarded with one of her own for her 11th birthday. After she married in 1946, she temporarily set music aside, but within a few years she began building a career as a traveling evangelist and gospel performer, while also encouraging her children to play music. A prolific songwriter, she wrote both gospel and country songs including the hit singles “Daddy Come and Get Me” and “Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man,” which she co-wrote with her niece, Dolly Parton. She continued to preach gospel throughout her life and became a beloved performer at Dollywood.

Dolly’s Uncle Robert “John Henry” Owens began playing country music with his younger brothers, Louis and Bill Owens in the late 1940s. His initial career was cut short when he was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, and later with the U.S. Air Force. In 1958 he returned to music, cutting rockabilly and swamp pop for Goldband Records in Louisiana. He was instrumental in landing his niece Dolly’s first recording contract, and would later become a popular live performer under the name John Henry III, particularly at Dollywood.

Louis Lindberg Owens began performing with his brothers John Henry and Bill Owens in the late 1940s. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to playing music with brother Bill and backing their niece Dolly Parton for live appearances. In 1958 and 1959, he played on the Goldband recordings by his brothers and Dolly, and throughout the 1960s he continued to play music with Bill and Dolly, and recorded a handful of singles under his own name.

In 1967, Louis joined Dolly and his brother Bill as a partner in Owepar Publishing and managed the company along with overseeing the construction and management of the original Fireside Studios. Leaving Owepar in 1975, Louis ran the independent country label Royal American Records and founded Louis Owens Enterprises, the first Nashville-based company to manufacture and market tour merchandise for country music stars. Retiring from the music business in the mid-80s, he returned to performing with his siblings at Dollywood.

Bill Earl Owens was driven to succeed in music from an early age. He began playing music with his brothers at a young age and by the late 1950s he was pursuing his own career in Knoxville’s bustling country scene and acting as manager for his young niece, Dolly. In 1958 Bill cut his first record for Goldband under his rockabilly alias, “Little Billy Earl.”

Into the 1960s, Bill continued to write songs, self-release records, and promote both his career and Dolly’s. After signing on as a guitarist for Opry stars Carl & Pearl Butler, he moved to Nashville in 1964, with his niece Dolly soon joining him. They both signed with Combine Publishing and their first success was “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” which became a top ten hit for country singer Bill Phillips in 1966. Over the next few years, he played live gigs with his brother Louis, and the pair produced and recorded a series of independent singles. After launching Owepar Music Publishing in 1967 with Dolly, Bill and Louis also launched the independent label Circle B Records.

In the mid-70s, Bill returned to East Tennessee where he launched the Smoky Mountain Music Barn, one of the first music theaters in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He continued to operate the Music Barn into the 1980s and became a regular performer at Dollywood after the park opened in 1986.

Stella Parton made her recording debut at the age of 11, singing back-up vocals with her sisters Dolly and Cassie on a single by their Uncle Bill Owens. In the 1970s, she forged her own musical career, scoring many country hit singles. She has continued to record, building a long and successful career as a singer-songwriter, actress, author, podcaster, and human rights activist.

Cassie Parton Griffith made her first recording at the age of 10 with her sisters Dolly and Stella on a single by their Uncle Bill Owens. During the 1960s she continued to perform with her mother, Avie Lee Parton, and her sisters Stella and Willadeene as the gospel group, the Parton Family. As she grew older she mostly shied away from the spotlight except for a few television appearances with her siblings and performances at Dollywood.

Randy Parton was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician who recorded for a number of labels and scored several hits in the 1980s. He also appeared in the movie Rhinestone (1984) and became a popular performer at Dollywood for many years.

Floyd Parton, twin brother of Freida Parton, was an accomplished singer and musician. A prolific songwriter, he wrote the #1 country hit “Rockin’ Years” which was recorded by his sister Dolly and Ricky Van Shelton in 1991. He appeared in the movie Rhinestone and was a popular performer at Dollywood.

Freida Parton, the twin sister of Floyd Parton, followed her own musical path from an early age. In 1984, she recorded a hard rock album for Bearsville Records that garnered MTV airplay. She later returned to more down home sounds and has performed at Dollywood.

The youngest child of Lee & Avie Lee Parton, Rachel Parton George has enjoyed a multifaceted career. In addition to performing with her sister Dolly, she recorded a country album for Columbia Records in 1984. She also starred in the TV series adaptation of 9 to 5 in the 1980s, portraying the same character Dolly played in the film.

The son of Dorothy Jo Owens, Dwight Puckett began his music career at the age of 14 when he backed his cousin Dolly on her 1967 summer tour. Originally a drummer, Dwight grew into an accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist. He earned a long list of credits working with such legendary country stars as Mother Maybelle and Merle Travis and has been a popular performer at Dollywood for many years.

Estelle Owens is a singer, musician, graphic designer, photographer, and film director. The daughter of Richie Owens, she recently directed the first music video for her cousin Jada Star, and did the graphic design for Jada’s debut solo album. Estelle’s contribution to Smoky Mountain DNA, “Crazy In Love With You,” was written by her father for his ‘80s rock band, The Movement.

The son of Louis Owens, Richie Owens (born 1960) grew up in recording studios and backstage. He’s been a singer, songwriter, musician, filmmaker, luthier, record label owner, and award-winning record producer and engineer. He’s worked with a varied list of artists including Vince Gill, The Georgia Satellites, Social Distortion, Television guitarist Richard Lloyd, The Kentucky Headhunters, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., and more. He also produced Dolly Parton’s acclaimed 1998 album, Hungry Again and Smoky Mountain DNA, along with backing Dolly for many live appearances. Richie is the current president of Owepar Entertainment and owns Historic Fireside Studio in Nashville, where much of Smoky Mountain DNA was recorded.

Entrepreneur, TV personality, combat pilot veteran, commercial air pilot, and founder and owner of the Shine Girl Moonshine Distillery, Danielle Parton has pretty much done it all. The daughter of one of Dolly’s older brothers, Bobby Parton, Danielle attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel while serving in the Air National Guard and received the Combat Action Medal and the Air Medal. She has also appeared on the TV reality shows Moonshiners and Master Distiller.

The daughter of Freida Parton, Jada Star began playing guitar and writing songs as a teen, but was on the path to becoming a psychologist when her Aunt Dolly invited her to join the family show at Dollywood. The experience set her on a new course. In 2023, she released her first solo album and starred in the TV reality show, Claim to Fame.

Sabyn Mayfield (born 1981) is the son of Randy Parton and casting director Laray Mayfield. He established himself as a successful filmmaker and actor before moving into music with a fusion of country and hip hop, performing under the name “Sabyn.” His feature film debut as a producer, director, and writer came in 2017 with Boomtown, starring Rachel Brosnahan, Boyd Holbrook, and Dwight Yoakam. Since 2004, he has released a string of highly praised albums and EPs, including 9 to 5 to 9 featuring a re-mix of Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5.”

Heidi Parton is a singer and songwriter who has performed at Dollywood for many years. The daughter of Randy Parton, Heidi first performed on-stage with her father at the age of four. In 2017, she released her first solo album under the name “Heidi Lou.” Her second album is scheduled for release in 2025.

Rebecca Seaver aka Mona Von Holler (She/They) was born to be a performer. She started her classical dance training at the age of three. Rebecca also grew up in an enormous musical family in Appalachia and was dancing, singing, playing guitar, and writing her own songs by the age of 13. This chanteuse and dance virtuoso has continued to expand their love of movement and music by performing in numerous bands, burlesque troupes, and drag shows all over the
country.

As a longtime pillar of Nashville’s drag and burlesque scene, Mona Von Holler is known for her mesmerizing feather fan dances, her incredible voice, and creative story telling. All told through the lens of activism. Mona uses “drag-lesque”as a catalyst for social change. “Being a genderqueer person in the south is a protest in and of itself, and sharing my story on stage is where I feel most powerful,” she says. Combining their love of music, dance, and vaudeville, Mona created The Rhinestone Cabaret in 2016, carving out a unique niche in the underground performance scene. It has become Nashville’s longest running, queer founded, burlesque show and was the first burlesque show to be featured at Nashville Pride in 2024.

As Rebecca Seaver, she has also enjoyed a successful career as a professional in the entertainment industry. Rebecca is currently the Director of Museum & Archive Services for Dolly Parton Productions and has curated notable exhibits at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, The Grand Ole Opry and The Grammy Museum. She most recently co-authored, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, with Dolly Parton with Holly George Warren in 2023. It instantly became a fan favorite and a New York Times Best Seller for 12 weeks. Rebecca has worked closely on Dolly’s creative team for over a decade and has been part of some of her most iconic projects to date.

With stage presence that will knock you side-ways, Mona is a tour-de-force in their industry and hopes to continue combining her family heritage, old-school glamour, activism, dance, and great music for a lifetime of entertaining her fans. Catch her if you can!

Shelley Rená is the granddaughter of Dorothy Jo Owens and the daughter of Dale Puckett (1947-2011), an accomplished and beloved multi-instrumentalist. Shelley forged her own path as a singer and songwriter and has performed at Dollywood for many years.

Tanya Renee is the granddaughter of Dorothy Jo Owens and the daughter of Debbie Jo Hess. She has worked as a performer at Dollywood. Tanya’s contribution to Smoky Mountain DNA, the song “For Keeps,” was written by her cousin Dolly for the 1998 Hungry Again album but was not used at the time.

Leroy Brown began playing piano at the age of 4 and has been composing his own songs for a number of years. He also enjoys acting and plans to study theater in college. Leroy, the son of Rebecca Seaver, and the grandson of Cassie Parton, wrote the song “Being Me” with his Great-Aunt Dolly for Smoky Mountain DNA.

As the daughter of Tanya Renee, granddaughter of Debbie Jo Hess, and great-grand-daughter of Dorothy Jo Owens, Faith Reeann has a long musical pedigree. Her song for Smoky Mountain DNA, “We Might Be In Love” was originally written by Dolly for her 1998 album Hungry Again, but was not included on the final record.