“Puppy Love” Re-Release Planned For April 2017

Published January 31, 2017 / Last Updated April 7, 2021

A remastered special edition version of Dolly Parton’s first record “Puppy Love” to be released on April 22, 2017!

“Puppy Love” recorded, by a 13-year-old Dolly Parton, back in 1959 will be the first in a string of re-releases by Southern Folklife Collection and Yep Roc Records. Dolly said,

“Like a first love, a first record for a singer will always be remembered above all others. Hopefully, I’ve improved since I recorded ‘Puppy Love,’ so don’t laugh…just enjoy.”

*Original 1959 recording of “Puppy Love”

Read about the 30-hour bus trip Dolly took with her grandmother, Rena Owens to make the original recording in Puppy Love – Dolly Parton’s First Single.

The inaugural release— Dolly Parton’s first single, “Puppy Love”—is a 45-RPM with a B-side of “Girl Left Alone.” The limited edition run will be available exclusively in participating stores on April 22, Record Store Day. Subsequent releases will be available on compact disc, vinyl and from digital providers.

Dolly recorded “Puppy Love” for Goldband Records in 1959. This edition is remastered from the original mono master tape. Packaging will include reproductions of the original Goldband record labels, housed in a picture sleeve featuring an early promotional photograph of Dolly.

These rare recordings are made possible through a partnership between the Southern Folklife Collection (SFC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Yep Roc Records, based in Hillsborough.

The SFC, part of the Wilson Special Collections Library, will create digital masters of rare archival recordings from its collections, which Yep Roc Records will produce, package and distribute. Glenn Dicker, co-owner and A&R for Yep Roc Records said

“This is an amazing opportunity for Yep Roc to work with Steve Weiss and the Southern Folklife Collection to help bring some incredible music to a worldwide audience of music fans.”

Additional releases include:

“Swampland Jewels” (Sept. 22)
A compilation of classic Cajun music from Goldband Records,“Swampland Jewels” features recordings by Jo-El Sonnier, Boozoo Chavis, Iry LeJune Jr. and Cleveland Crochet. Packaging features the original album art of a bikini-clad girl riding a giant crawfish, and includes the booklet “From the Bayou,” a history of Goldband Records by music writer Mike Leadbitter and Goldband Records founder Eddie Shuler.

Doc Watson: “Live at the Club 47” (Date TBA)
A newly discovered performance by Doc Watson, “Live at the Club 47” was recorded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963. This recording features unreleased songs from Watson’s early repertoire.

Southern Folklife Collection
Yep Roc Records

*Preview is of the original track, not the remastered version.

Michael Martin“Puppy Love” Re-Release Planned For April 2017

Dolly dedicates the Uncle Bill Owens room at Dollywood

Published March 23, 2013 / Last Updated April 7, 2021

Dolly honors one of her longest and most beloved supporters, her Uncle Bill Owens with the Uncle Bill room in her Chasing Rainbows Museum

Dolly credits her Uncle Bill Owens with being one of her earliest supporters and one of the biggest reasons she reached for her childhood dreams. On March 23, 2013, she dedicated a section of her Chasing Rainbows Museum at Dollywood in honor of Uncle Bill and everything he has done for her. The room features pictures, songs, her very first single and, occasionally, Uncle Bill himself!

The Dollywood CompanyDolly dedicates the Uncle Bill Owens room at Dollywood

Owe-Par Publishing Company

Published November 18, 1966 / Last Updated April 7, 2021
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Team Dolly

Dolly and Uncle Bill Owens start Owe-Par Publishing Company

After their contract with Combine Music ended, Dolly and Uncle Bill made a strategic move to start their own publishing company. Using parts of their last names, they called it Owe-Par. Their proven chemistry and talent made a great combination. Dolly said,

“As writers we were on the same wavelength. We wrote a lot of great songs together… We had the same kind of energy when it came to our careers. Neither of us ever gave out as long as something was happening or at least had the look of something that might happen.”

As songwriters, they had experienced success with Bill Phillips’ versions of their “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” and “The Company You Keep.” Owe-Par Publishing Company allowed Dolly and Uncle Bill to copyright their songs for themselves. It was a significant business move for Dolly at 20 years old, especially because she held a controlling interest in the company.

Click below for a preview of “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” via SoundCloud.

Some familiar songs published via Owe-Par Publishing Company

  • Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man
  • Joshua
  • Coat Of Many Colors
  • Burning The Midnight Oil
  • Right Combination
  • Katy Did
  • The Last One To Touch Me
Team DollyOwe-Par Publishing Company

“Put it Off Until Tomorrow” Wins BMI Song Of The Year

Published March 1, 1966 / Last Updated April 7, 2021
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Team Dolly

Bill Phillips records Dolly’s “Put it Off Until Tomorrow,” wins BMI’s Song Of The Year

After hearing Dolly sing on the demo, for “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” Bill Phillips requested she sing harmony with him on the track. Her backup vocals gained a lot of attention from disc jockeys around the country.

Listen to a free preview of Dolly singing “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” via SoundCloud

After years of hard work and determination, Dolly and her Uncle Bill were beginning to see that hard work pay off with publishing success and chart-topping singles. “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” rose to No. 6 on the US country charts and was named BMI’s Song of the Year, in 1966. Naturally, Dolly and Bill were excited and encouraged by the success and the award show attention. Dolly said,

“Uncle Bill and I were so excited about going to the big ceremony to accept our awards. After all, this was the first of our songs to be recorded by a major artist. To have it recognized in that way by all of those established songwriters was a huge confidence builder for both of us.”

Phillips also recorded “The Company You Keep,” another song written by Dolly and Uncle Bill Owens, which went to No. 8 on the US country charts.

Team Dolly“Put it Off Until Tomorrow” Wins BMI Song Of The Year

Monument Records Signs Dolly, Produces Her First Charting Single

Published February 9, 1965 / Last Updated April 7, 2021
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Team Dolly

Fred Foster signs Dolly and Uncle Bill Owens to Combine Music and Monument Records

While Uncle Bill Owens had been touring with Carl and Pearl Butler playing guitar, Dolly had been appearing on early morning shows such as “The Ralph Emery Show” and “The Eddie Hill Show.” The two received a break when Fred Foster owner of Combine Music and Monument Records agreed to sign them to a publishing and recording deal.

Dolly recorded “I Wasted My Tears” (her first Monument single) and “What do You Think About Lovin,” both written by Dolly and Bill Owens. She followed up with “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby” and “Old Enough to Know Better.”

During this same time period, Foster brought Ray Stevens in to produce Dolly’s single, “Busy Signal,” written by Stevens. The B-side, “I Took Him for Granted,” was written by Dolly and Bill Owens.Foster invested a lot in Dolly’s career and even booked her on “American Bandstand.” Foster said,

“I told Dolly, she would be a gigantic movie star someday. And she said, ‘I think you have lost your mind.’ Then I said, ‘I didn’t have much to lose anyway Dolly, it’s okay.'”

“Happy, Happy Birthday Baby” brought success to Monument Records, charting at No. 108 on the pop charts and becoming Dolly’s first charting single.

Team DollyMonument Records Signs Dolly, Produces Her First Charting Single