Dottie Rambo

Dottie Rambo
Dottie Rambo
Born	March 2, 1934 Madisonville, Kentucky, United States
Occupation	Gospel Singer/Songwriter
Years active	1960's–present
Genre(s)	Southern Gospel, Country Gospel, Black Gospel, Contemporary Christian
Label(s)	Warner Brothers Benson Heartwarming
Formerly recorded with	The Gospel Echoes and The Singing Rambo's
Official website	www.dottierambo.net

Dottie Rambo (born Joyce Reba Rambo, Madisonville, KY, 1934) is a famous gospel singer.

Biographical Information

Dottie Rambo was born Joyce Reba Lutrell in Madisonville, Kentucky during the Great Depression.

Her songwriting career began at age eight. At the age of ten, she was singing on local radio, covering country music standards. At age twelve, she made a commitment to Christ, which was opposed by her father. She then left home to sing for Jesus.

She was married to Buck Rambo at age 16, and had a daughter, Reba, at age 18. She and her husband sang in churches around the region, which led to other gospel music groups hearing her songs and including them. Through an introduction by The Happy Goodman family, Governor Jimmy Davis of Louisiana invited Dottie to the governor's mansion. He then began promoting her songs in the early 1960's. This led to a two-record contract with Warner Brothers, with her group, The Gospel Echoes.

With Reba, Dottie and her husband Buck forming a trio, the Singing Rambos became a fixture in gospel music. They travelled to Viet Nam for the American troops in 1967.

Her songwriting has been very prolific, including over 2500 songs as listed on ASCAP. Her songs have been recorded by: Elvis Presley, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Whitney Houston, Vince Gill, Dottie West, Pat Boone, Sandy Patty, the Oak Ridge Boys and many others.

A children's project, "Down By The Creek Bank," earned platinum record status.

Her life has also had a share of trials: Dottie had back pain, beginning in 1989, from a ruptured disc, which required many surgeries. She also is divorced from Buck Rambo.

In 1994 the Christian Country Music Association awarded her with the Songwriter of the Century Award. In 2000, ASCAP honored Dottie with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Songs (selected)

• "He Looked Beyond My Fault (and Saw My Need)"
• "If That Isn't Love"
• "Sheltered in the Arms of God"
• "We Shall Behold Him"
• "I Go To The Rock"
• "I've Never Been This Homesick Before"
• "The Perfect Rose"

Discography

Solo

• It's the Soul of Me (1968)
• Makin' My Own Place (1981)
• Down By the Creek Bank (1996)
• Stand By the River (2003)

As "The Rambos"

• The Soul Singing Rambos (1969)
• If That Isn't Love (1969)
• Nashville Gospel (1970)
• An Evening With the Singing Rambos (1970)
• Soul in the Family (1972)
• Belief (1973)
• Too Much to Gain to Lose (1973)
• Alive and Live at Soul's Harbor (1974)
• Rambo Country (1976)
• Naturally (1977)
• Silver Jubilee (1979)
• Crossin' Over (1979)
• Memories Made New (1983)

Awards

Dove Award Winner:

• 1981
  • Songwriter of the Year
  • Song of the Year -- "We Shall Behold Him"

• 1991
  • Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Grammy Winner:

• 1968
  • Best Soul Gospel Performance -- "The Soul of Me"

External links

• Official Web page
• Another biography