Recent Reader Comments

Happy Birthday to you as well, John. I hope it was a good one. You deserve it.

Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com

What a beautiful article for a beautiful lady! There is not much more that can be said than what you have spoken in this article. Dottie was an awesome singer and songwriter who has left a tremendous legacy! And as you have stated ". . . . Dottie's life was one big, beautifully written melody and she has lived that song to its fullest, all the way to the end." She will be deeply missed but her spirit and music will go on! Thank you for blessing us with such a wonderful article on Dottie!

”God makes everything happen at the right time.” (In His Time) Eccl. 3:11

The Comment from Annie Morgan is what life is all about. When you can say that you have made a differance in one life it is so worth it all.
Often we hear children say, "when I grow up, I want to be just like Dad or Mom". It may sound strange because here I am nearing 50 but if I every grow up I would like to be just like Monica.
If you are reading this and haven't purchased one of Monica's CD's then you are missing out! Buy one today and allow it to change your life. You can feel God touching your very soul.

Proud Father,

Hiram Stump

Our sweetest and kindest condolences to your family! We love you and we are praying for you.

Your Friends,

Brothers Forever

I loved Dotties Music- I got to meet her get her autograph and get a picture with her. I will always miss you.

I love the song " Hanging on a Nail"
This is one song that will bless you!

I am actually shocked that the interviewer is bringing up and re-hashing this topic.
There is far more to Kirk then the subject matter of this interview.

I am not convinced this is a good interview. If you want to interview him, go to one of his concerts. That will tell you the story. Ask him questions about his ministry, etc etc.

To me it is like flogging a dead horse.

As the saying goes, those that are critical of others and for the things that they have done (condeming) likely have done or are quilty of the same thing themselves. (Something to think about and I could definitely add further comments on this subject).

I am very disappointed in those that are
supposed christians in the southern Gospel circuit who are doing this and it is a real turn off for me. And please do not give me the reasoning as
"audience appeal".

Kirk hit bottom a few years back. He has exposed his soul and, he has no where else to go but UP.

Thanks for being you Kirk and allowing God to work thru your ministry.

I am so blessed! Monica Rivae is my earthly daughter of whom I am very pleased. I have no doubt that her Heavenly father is just as proud to call her his child.
Monica has blessed many people with song and message.
Thanks Monica for following God's Calling.

its the cavaliers qt. sorry i forgot to put the group i was talking about .

my dad is from louisanns.....i can remember him taking to hear the first of my life concert.....the mcfall's was one of the groups....kids we need to everyday think of what we and who we are blessed with.....i talked with david yesterday.....they are all doing well.

If I may just add something else - a significant factor in the development of our music was the emergence of orchestrated albums. Until the early 1960's, instrumentation was often piano only - sometimes with bass and guitar sprinkled in - and with drums mixed very far back - or missing entirely. (Believe it or not, they sometimes played drums in the sessions for rhythm purposes, but they were sometimes not mixed into the recordings - so as to not ruffle the feathers of the Saints).

Warner Brothers put out an album with the Oak Ridge Boys called "With Sounds of Nashville" in early 1963. I believe there were only 3 orchestrated songs on it - with strings only.

Almost immediately, The Couriers recorded "Nothing But the Gospel Truth" on May 28, 1963 (and it was released that Fall) - and it was the very first of its kind. 6 of the 12 songs were orchestrated, many with both strings and brass. With the 16 piece orchestra, this was the first Gospel album to have both strings and brass and have orchestrations on at least have of the songs. This album also came out on the Warner Brothers label.

The next known orchestrated album was "The Cathedral Quartet with Strings" which featured strings only on 6 of the 12 songs. It was recorded on the Heartwarming label in 1965.

Then, this was followed by "The Cathedrals with Brass", which featured brass only on 6 of the 12 songs. Again, this was on the Heartwarming label and was released in 1966.

All 4 of these are excellent albums. Since the 2 Cathedral albums have been reissued (I believe on vinyl years ago, as well as on CD), younger fans have not been aware of the Warner Brothers albums that have preceded them, and there has been much misinformation spread over the Internet and elsewhere that The Cathedral albums were the first. They clearly weren't.

So, The Couriers' Warner Brothers album was the first Gospel album featuring both strings and brass together on the same songs, and remained as the only such Gospel album for quite a few years before other albums emerged with this treatment.

There are several other interesting facts about this Courier album. Marvin Hughes played the piano, while Ben Speer played the bass and Brock Speer played the rhythm guitar. Their playing was integrated beautifully into the string and brass arrangements, as they fit into them seamlessly.

Also, the arranger for the strings and brass on this album went on several years later to become the main orchestral arranger for NBC's "The Dean Martin Show". So, he was then arranging weekly for the orchestras that were accompanying Dean, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and the other top performers who appeared on that show throughout the next decade or so.

One of the next major orchestrated albums was also a Courier album. The Couriers hired Jerry Nelson (who later founded the very popular "Clarion" sound track company that produced and supplied sound tracks for custom Gospel recordings for rental, as did "Rainbow", "Christian World" and other companies) to write the scores for 12 songs to be recorded by The Couriers. They flew Mr Nelson, at their expense, to London, where he recorded the specially-written scores with The London Symphony Orchestra at the special studio that was then constantly set-up and reserved for the symphony's exclusive use.

Jerry flew back to the states with the final mix tape from that studio, and The Couriers recorded their vocals to it.

This was possibly several firsts - or near-firsts. Up to that time (circa 1969), groups were just getting their feet wet recording albums with the instrumentation tracks (piano, bass, drums and guitars) having been recorded first - with the vocals added afterward. Prior to this time, the instrumental players played along with the singers in real time, as on the 4 afore-mentioned albums.

So, not only was this one of the first Gospel albums where the music tracks were totally recorded first before the vocals, but it was very probably the first Gospel album to use a full and complete orchestra, including strings, brass, woodwinds, harp, timpani, and percussion other than just drums.

Also, the complete orchestra played on all 12 songs - not just on half of the album, as before.

The album was called "Sweet and Shout'g Spirituals". Never heard of it? Here's why. It was a CUSTOM album - not a label album like the above-mentioned.

The Couriers designed, arranged and financed the entire project and, once it was expensed out, it was able to be re-ordered by them for just the manufacturing costs of the album and jacket itself - at a pittance of the cost of a group's purchasing copies of an album for resale from their label.

Our joy is that The Couriers have given us 3 of those legendary 12 London Symphony tracks as gifts over the years, and have allowed us to record our vocals on them. Harold Lane's great song "Thank You Lord for Blessings", which he told me personally is his favorite of all of the songs he has written, has now been recorded and released on our latest project with the London Symphony accompanying us.

These early orchestrated recordings - and the many excellent ones that have since followed - ratcheted Gospel Music up several notches, adding a new touch of class to our genre.

Orchestrated albums are now the norm, but they were once the exception, bringing a new wave of excitement to our music.

Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com

Is there a place to download the Downings music?

I loved Dottie's music. When I first came to know the Lord, I'd watch TBN when she was on and her music ministered to me so! I can just see Dottie and Anthony Burger sitting at the piano can't you? Along with all the other Southern Gospel Greats. Dottie, you will be MISSED! Praise the Lord you are with JESUS!! Hallelujah!

So sorry to hear about the accident of Dottie Rabmo she will be very much missed..she was one of my favorite singers greatly anoinited. I'll miss her.
We pray for Larry and his family..Larry is such a great person God Bless his family with strength..Much prayer and concern...Blessings. Melissa

I never had the joy of meeting Dottie but I did see her in person a couple of years ago & what a night that was. However, she is now free of pain & face to face with her Lord whom she served so faithfully for so many years.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

I was awakened yesterday morning with the news of Dottie Rambo's death. I can't even begin to explain the influence The Rambos. and Dottie personally, have had on me personally and as a musicain. As a young kid, the Rambos Trio introduced me (via TV)to mixed gospel singing with a vocal twist I hadn't heard (or noticed ) before. They sang a "meatier" type of gospel song, musically and lyrically. They would "swap" parts and I remember trying to figure out what they were doing! I looked forward to each show, with little Mrs. Dottie playing that huge guitar!

I bought their live album, produced in the late 70s, and the musicians they had influenced me greatly. As a steel guitar enthusiast, Johnny Cox's performance on that album was very inspirational. I can still hear that great music ringing in my ears!

Dottie's song writing collaboration with Gov. Jimmie Davis produced some of my favorite songs of all time. Again, as a musician, her songs were melodic and easily recognizable as instrumentals, a rarity these days.

Dottie's song, "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" moved many 1000s of people to think about eternity and is still one of her most requested songs. I heard 100s of folks, night after night, request that Mr. Bill Burns, of the Country Village Supper Club, sing that great song....with a rousing response every time! I had the awesome priviledge of playing steel there for 11 wonderful years, doing many of Dottie's songs.

Incidentally, the southern gospel quartet that I work with, The Providentials, just obtained mechanical licensing to record "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" for their upcoming album, "Can't Say Enough", to be released in June.

Mixed feelings......Ms. Dottie has gone thru so much adversity thru the years. I guess I would feel better if she hadn't died this way. But, the destination is the same either way. And, knowing Dottie, she wouldn't want to come back.

I miss her......but her music lives on....until the Lord comes......

Reggie Duncan ()

I was awakened Sunday morning with the news of Dottie Rambo's death. I can't even begin to explain the influence The Rambos. and Dottie personally, have had on me personally and as a musicain. As a young kid, the Rambos Trio introduced me (via TV)to mixed gospel singing with a vocal twist I hadn't heard (or noticed ) before. They sang a "meatier" type of gospel song, musically and lyrically. They would "swap" parts and I remember trying to figure out what they were doing! I looked forward to each show, with little Mrs. Dottie playing that huge guitar!

I bought their live album, produced in the late 70s, and the musicians they had influenced me greatly. As a steel guitar enthusiast, Johnny Cox's performance on that album was very inspirational. I can still hear that great music ringing in my ears!

Dottie's song writing collaboration with Gov. Jimmie Davis produced some of my favorite songs of all time. Again, as a musician, her songs were melodic and easily recognizable as instrumentals, a rarity these days.

Dottie's song, "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" moved many 1000s of people to think about eternity and is still one of her most requested songs. I heard 100s of folks, night after night, request that Mr. Bill Burns, of the Country Village Supper Club, sing that great song....with a rousing response every time! I had the awesome priviledge of playing steel there for 11 wonderful years, doing many of Dottie's songs.

Incidentally, the southern gospel quartet that I work with, The Providentials, just obtained mechanical licensing to record "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" for their upcoming album, "Can't Say Enough", to be released in June.

Mixed feelings......Ms. Dottie has gone thru so much adversity thru the years. I guess I would feel better if she hadn't died this way. But, the destination is the same either way. And, knowing Dottie, she wouldn't want to come back.

I miss her......but her music lives on....until the Lord comes......

Reggie Duncan

Because of Dottie's close walk with the Lord God used her talents to Bless millions of people worldwide through her songs. She is resting in the arms of Jesus until that Glorious day when She shall behold Him. Yes, She shall behold Him, face to face in all of His glory.
Yes, She shall behold Him, face to face, her Savior and Lord.

I was in total shock this morning when I heard on the radio of the death of Dottie Rambo. My prayers go out to her family and the families of those involved in the bus crash. She was such a beautiful lady inside and out. I always felt that she was doing just what GOD had anointed her to do. She will surely be missed...my heart is saddened by the loss.

Today I was sadden to hear of the passing of dottie rambo.She was one of my favorite song writters of all to listen to, and for me to try and sing.I was reminded of one of the songs i tried to right ,the words went (Dont you weep for me nomore .I am flying with the angles I've got my wings on.){Flying around the holy throne and I am singing a holy song with all the Holy ones.}More peace than I've ever known.I will never be the song writter she is But I willl still Look at her Image she left with me to inspire me

There is a voice missing here on earth as Heaven welcomes a friend of God who truly was the best at singing, playing, writing and inspiring so many! I look forward to hearing that song again in a more perfect way and for that I will press on "Until He Comes". Enjoy your day with the Lord, Dottie Rambo!

I did not know Dottie personally, but I do know she has written some great music that has been sung and is still being sung to glorify our Lord. These songs will be remembered as well as the person that wrote them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.

John,

At the risk of hijacking your thread, here's my additional case for Pillars.

Criteria:

#1 - I think you agree with me that this was a hugely popular album.

#2 - It may not have "changed" Gospel music (though in my case for #3, we may be able to say that it did), but it certainly had a major influence on SG artists afterwards. If you'll look at the "Youth In Gospel" columns from 93 on, you'll see many young artists list Pillars as one of their biggest influences/favorites. I wager you can find the same thing on bios of different groups websites. Also, if you were a non-SG person that stumbled across a SG radio station, and you heard current stuff from say BFA, the Dove Brothers, the Kingsmen, and then heard "If God Be For Us", for example, you wouldn't immediately know that it was a classic recording. Sonically and stylistically, Pillars has aged well, which is further evidence of its impact.

#3 and 4 - This is another place I feel that we differ. Maybe my view as a long time Gold City fan is skewed, but I believe you can draw a line at Pillars in Gold City's career. Maybe not so much in popularity, but musically yes. Remember that Pet Sounds was a commercial flop, at least by Beach Boys standards. Pillars had a polish and quality to its arrangements that were not seen previously on GC's albums. Sure there were signposts along the way, like the Windows Of Home CD and certain songs on Answer The Call, but there hadn't been an entire album that had the quality of arrangements and production that Pillars did. Stylistically, Pillars had a more progressive (at the time) or "uptown" feel than previous albums. This can partially be attributed to the maturation of Garry Jones as a producer, and the addition of Steve Lacey as baritone. Mike Lefevre was and is an excellent baritone, but Lacey's voice has a more polished sound, that fit the style of Pillars perfectly. This polished style would continue with Acappella Gold and even with Renewed, which addresses your 4th criteria, it definitely changed the musical direction that Gold City was going in. Maybe not as drastically as Pet Sounds did for the BB, but there were signs of that shift as well (Today, Summer Days). Gold City did experience another shift in musical direction soon after, when Garry Jones left and no longer produced their albums, but to me, Pillars showed a marked change in Gold City's career.

That was really long, but there is my take on Pillars.

Maybe, though, what we are really showing is the incredible quality of Pet Sounds and Pepper in that there doesn't exist a suitable comparison to those two albums even across genres.

Burke’s Brainwork

You are right! Marcia Henry & Latter Rain. My daddy was a member for several years as their guitar player. Marcia is a wonderful person and incredibly talented!

What a sad day for all of Southern Gospel & Dottie's family. My prayers go out to all involved.

How sad for Reba to lose her mother on Mother's Day.

DOTTIE HAS BEEN A BLESSING IN MY LIFE I WILL TRUELY MISS HER.

I am so sorry for the loss that the Rambo family and others on the bus.Jesus will see you thru.

What an amazing Lady Dottie Rambo was!

There are no words to describe the sadness I share with so many others that she is now gone from us, but Thank God we had her! No one in ANY field of music could put a song together, or touch more people with just one song than Dottie Rambo. Words and music as meaningful and beautiful as hers are a gift from God through people's souls and Dottie must have been his main vessel.

I grew up in Southern Gospel Music traveling with the Sego Brothers and Naomi and was privileged to work many shows with Dottie and "The Rambos". Dottie wrote the Gospel the way it's supposed to be. So incredibly encouraging and inspiring, never condescending, judgmental, or exclusionary. Her words and music literally saved my life more than one time, as I'm sure they did many others. "This Is My Valley", "Too Much To Gain To Lose", "In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul", "Sheltered In the Arms of God" and so many others have and always will be a part of my life and my strength when I feel I can't take another step. Dottie had a way of climbing back up from the bottom and through her songs showed others they not only could, but they MUST!

I can't help but be overwhelmed with sadness to know she is gone, but I rejoice in the knowledge that her trials are now over and SHE is safely "Sheltered In the Arms of God". Also that He gave us such a wonderful Lady with an amazing voice that surely touched more people in 74 years than any other human being that ever walked this Earth.

Earth's devastating loss is Heaven's gain.

"This house of flesh is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open!
When the Angels set my spirit free!
I'll take my flight like the mighty eagle
When the Hills of Home start calling me..."

There is a new shining in the portals of Glory. We can all cherish her Memory in the songs, recordings and the many lives she touched over the years as well as her many top hit classic songs.
There will never be another songwriter now or in the future to ever surpass her and her special way of delivering songs will never be duplicated and it would be un-feasible for anyone to try!!.
My prayers will be with her remaining Family and may God's Peace be with them all through this difficult time....

WE were so saddened by the death of our dear friend and servant of the Lord Dottie Rambo. We got the word Sunday afternoon that she had made the journey home.The Holy Hills of Heaven called her
to her eternal rest.She will be missed by all of us not only in the ministry but the fans as well.Our prayers are with her family and those that traveled with her,

I am deeply saddened and heart broken. Dottie was an angel in human form. to say that she was anointed would be a huge understatement. She was one of a kind.

But I am also happy. All of the suffering that she has endured ove4r all these decades, has finally come to an end. Now her back isn't a mess anymore. Now she's not in pain anymore. Now she's totally healed and totally whole!!!

She's now living what she has written and sung about for so long. She is now "BEHOLDING HIM"!

Thank you Lord for allowing Dottie to be such a wonderful witness for You on this earth. Your hand was truly on her.

If you have never heard this singing group you are in for a time of your life.They write there own songs,plus they have that Hinson sound as well,Your gonna see this group.go to the top.air 78

I recently saw you at the Northern Ladies conference in Appleton,Wisc,just letting you know,you teaching and singing was awesome,I hpoe to see you in 2009,thank you again God bless you in Jesus name

I am brokenhearted to hear of Dottie's going home to be with the Lord. She has been such an inspiration to me when I was a small child till now at the age of 49. She will be sorely missed in the southern gospel world. But what she left behind for us in her music is forevermore! Heaven is so much sweeter now with her presence. I will be praying for Reba and her family.

Dottie was a great friend and I'll never forget the 2 hour interview she gave me for my 13 hour Elvis documentary. I was also very close to Larry. If anyone knows what hospital he is in, please e-mail me off line. Thanks

Ken

Prayers to the family and injured... Praises to God for the lyrics of Dottie's life that will go on....

I was at Dotties concert in Granite City, lllinois last night. She was stronger in body and voice than she's been in for a long while. It was a very very wonderful concert. Christopher Ferguson also sang "Down by the River" with Miss Dottie. He's the young son of Dottie's manager, Larry and his wife. It was great. The weather was very bad most of the way back home to Springfield, Illinois.

Dottie Rambo, was the very best of the best in songwriters. I have sung many of her songs over the years. I have always said to everybody that she was my favorite songwriter. When I worked with the Stamps Quartet, back in the 1970's, The Rambos, Oak Ridge Boys and the Stamps Quartet traveled together doing concerts and presenting the drama "The Three Nails". Prior to that time, I had known the Rambos from the northern Kentucky, and Southern Indiana
area. Dottie had the most unique voice there has ever been in gospel music. It was great. My wife and I will sorely miss the great talent of this wonderful Lady of God. May God be with Reba and the family. We offer our prayers and condolences to the entire family.
Bill Baize




n

MO Highway Patrol report on Dottie....

What a hole she leaves in the SGM community. My prayers are with the families involved in this tragedy. I am so glad that I did get to see her once in person. That makes that time even more special. May God heal the injured & comfort them at this time.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

Dear Friends,
We mourn the loss of this great treasure. We will all hold close the fond memories we all shared with Dottie both personally and through her wonderful music. Heaven is a brighter place today.

Dottie Rambo touched so many lives - including mine. My prayers go out to Dottie's family, Larry and his family, and to everyone who is mourning for Dottie right now. But, as much as it hurts to lose her - can you just imagine the party that she is having with Jesus about now? I can see her sitting on His lap singing to him. What a celebration there was in heaven when Dottie Rambo came to perform...!

Love your singing Guy...any plans to record those children...heard them sing on the bill gaither interview...they were so cute...more singing from them Ok

I am from the Marriott Hotels in town and would like to speak or get the contact name for the person who is in charge of travel arrangements for guests coming in from out of town when there is an event or possible convention, or other reasons.
Warm Regards,
Jan Bissell
Acct Executive
Marriott Hotels, Bakersfield
661-889-9035 Direct

Here's a link to some pictures of the fine folks from Riverdale Assembly in Riverdale, CA


http://davykellyandodie.com/photoalbum/Riverdale, California/index.html

I've always thought "Symphony Of Praise" was overrated. Several good songs, one great one. I might think higher of it if I didn't hate "This Ole House". And that was before I watched the Kurt Young Dove Awards video. I agree with Daniel that "Something Special" pushed the Cathedrals to the top, not "Symphony".

If Michael English hadn't left the Singing Americans when he did, I think their "Black and White" project would probably be the best modern example of what is being discussed.

John, Gold City is Alabama-based... not Georgia-based.

Good job so far, guys!

For the rest of you reading these, don't be shy...feel free to share your own "watershed" albums with me...that's what this thread is for.

And Wes, if you want to make a further case as to why "Pillars" ought to be among these albums, go for it! I want to read what you have to say.

This is all giving me plenty of food for thought...keep it coming!:-)

Morning glory and evening grace,

Giving the world a smile each day,

john.sogospelnews.com

What a powerful force for God!!

There were, in my questionably-valuable opinion, 7 albums released by RCA Victor between 1960 and 1963 that changed the complexion of Gospel Music.

They were all live albums.

Three were by The Blackwood Brothers:

-The Blackwood Brothers In Cooncert
-The Blackwood Brother On Tour
-The Blackwood Brothers On Stage

Three were by The Statesmen:

-The Statemen On Stage
-Through the States with the Statesmen
-A Gospel Concert with The Statesmen

The seventh album was live highlights from the 1963 National Quartet Convention from Ellis Auditorium in Memphis.

-Groups featured on this album included The Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, Speer Family, Oak Ridge Boys, Stamps Quartet and The Kingsmen. Two songs by each group - with talking by the group emcees and great crowd reaction.

For the first time, many heard the energy and spontaneity of the happenings of a live concert and their appetite was whetted to go to their very first live concert themselves.

I believe these recordings brought about a pivotal change to the Industry -as RCA Victor brought the concerts to the people.

Before then, the people could only go to the concerts.

These albums were followed by many great live albums by just about every top group - but these 7 are the ones that lit the spark that began to excite the masses.

Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com