Owepar Entertainment is preserving an important chapter of the Owens-Parton family's musical history with the reissue of Tomorrow's Tears Today (Singles 1961-1967), a collection of 18 newly remastered recordings by brothers Bill Owens and Louis Owens, two of Dolly Parton's uncles.
Originally recorded between 1961 and 1967, the collection brings together rare singles from the Owens Brothers' early recording career and Nashville years. The recordings offer a glimpse into the family's musical roots and the country music scene that helped shape the careers of several members of the Owens-Parton family.
Among the collection's most notable recordings are the rare Knoxville-produced singles "Vagabond" and "It Seems Like a Lifetime," recorded in 1961 and 1962. Both feature background vocals from a young Dolly Parton, then 14, along with her younger sisters Stella and Cassie. Performing as the Vocalaires, the sisters' appearance marked Dolly's second recording appearance as a non-billed artist following her debut single, "Puppy Love."
The other recordings span the Owens Brothers' Nashville period in the mid-1960s, with several also featuring Dolly on backing vocals. During this era, Bill and Louis were developing their work as performers, songwriters and producers while working with their show band, The Kinfolks.
By the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Owens Brothers had become established performers around East Tennessee and Knoxville. Bill and Louis, along with a young Dolly Parton, performed at theaters, honky-tonks and radio stations while gaining experience in live performance and songwriting.
The brothers later continued their work in Nashville, where Bill and Dolly secured publishing contracts with Combine Music. The recordings collected on Tomorrow's Tears Today reflect that transition from traditional country roots toward the polished Nashville sound emerging during the era.
Carefully restored from rare 45 rpm singles, the collection preserves recordings that document an often-overlooked part of the Owens-Parton family's musical heritage.
Tomorrow's Tears Today is available now on major streaming platforms.
Owepar Entertainment traces its history to 1967, when Dolly Parton and her uncles Bill and Louis Owens founded Owepar Music to administer their songwriting business. The company later became involved in publishing and recording, including the operation of Fireside Studios on Nashville's Music Row.
The company relaunched in 2019 and now manages a collection of legacy recordings while continuing to publish music by contemporary artists. Through the release of Tomorrow's Tears Today, Owepar Entertainment is bringing the Owens Brothers' early recordings to a new generation while preserving their place in the Owens-Parton musical legacy.
