Richie Owens Releases New Book and Album Appalachia: Ballads, Bloodlines & the Long Journey Home, Vol. 2

Nashville-based musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Richie Owens has released Appalachia: Ballads, Bloodlines & the Long Journey Home, Vol. 2, the second installment in his book and music series exploring family history, mountain traditions, and the stories of Southern Appalachia.

Available for purchase online, the new volume draws on family photographs, historical records, newspaper clippings, inherited songs, and Appalachian folklore to examine the region's complicated history and the experiences passed down through generations.

"Volume Two goes a little deeper into the hollers, the bloodlines, and the things families sometimes carry for generations," Owens said. He explained that the book explores both the beauty and hardships of Appalachian life, including poverty, loss, survival, and the legacy of family stories.

The book includes accounts connected to musical brothers Louis and Bill Owens, who brought their music from East Tennessee to Nashville, as well as the life of evangelist Dorothy Jo Owens and regional folk legends. Through these stories, Owens continues documenting the people and traditions that shaped his family's heritage.

Accompanying the book is a 20-track album of the same title, produced by Owens and recorded at Fireside Studios. The project connects the book's stories with music, featuring Owens on lead vocals and acoustic guitar alongside longtime collaborators Bob Ocker and Joe Sharp, as well as Paul Hollowell, Andrea Young, and Eric Leckrone. John Constable handled engineering and mastering. The songs were written by Owens, Ocker, and Albert Styles.

Appalachia: Ballads, Bloodlines & the Long Journey Home, Vol. 2 Tracklist

1. "Bear Hug (Hoss And Clove) Intro"
   

2. "Bear Hug (Hoss And Clove)"
   

3. "Daddy's Martin Intro"
   

4. "Daddy's Martin"
   

5. "The Holston Intro"
   

6. "The Holston"
   

7. "Popcorn Sutton Intro"
   

8. "Popcorn Sutton"
   

9. "She Loved Him More Intro"
   

10. "She Loved Him More"
    

11. "The Legend Of Gnatty Branch Intro"
    

12. "The Legend Of Gnatty Branch"
    

13. "Two Brothers Intro"
    

14. "Two Brothers"
    

15. "A Rebels Pride Intro"
    

16. "A Rebels Pride"
    

17. "Tom Intro"
    

18. "Tom"
    

19. "Sending Me Away Intro"
    

20. "Sending Me Away"
    

The book is available to order online, while the accompanying album can be heard on major streaming platforms.

Owens has built a career blending country traditions with punk and alternative rock. His work includes collaborations with artists such as The Georgia Satellites, Social Distortion, Richard Lloyd, The Kentucky Headhunters, Michael Stipe, and Vince Gill. He has also produced several albums by Dolly Parton, including Hungry Again, Precious Memories, and Smoky Mountain DNA.

With this latest release, Owens continues preserving his family's musical legacy while bringing Appalachian history, folklore, and personal stories to a wider audience.

Related Article: Richie Owens, Dolly Parton's Cousin, Breaks Silence: Why She Hid Her Cancer From Family