Belle Atkins

Nov 18, 2024 | thelantern.com | Belle Atkins

Seasoned singer and country legend Dolly Parton released her 50th studio album — titled “Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables” — Friday, marking another milestone in her long career, with her first release being in 1967. The “9 to 5” singer took this opportunity to highlight the community that helped shape her music and identity; in fact, the album features recordings from more than 20 of Parton’s relatives, along with retellings of childhood stories and traditional folklore. In addition, it was entirely written and produced by the Parton family. According to a Friday article from the Daily Herald, the idea for this record began brewing as early as 2010, when Parton’s cousin and producer Richie Owens — a long-time archivist and storyteller — joined the project.