Dottie Rambo

Throughout her career, beginning with the 1960s “Gospel Singing Jubilee”, Rambo appeared on numerous television programs on virtually every Christian network as well as the TNN, PAX, and GMT Women’s Entertainment channels. She had her own series, “Dottie Rambo Magazine” in the 1980s on TBN which was the No. 1 rated program on the network for six years and has rerun on and off since.

Dottie Rambo has performed on six of the Gaither Homecoming video series (see her discography). Her last appearance was Nashville Homecoming (2009), in which she performed “I Just Came To Talk With You Lord.”

Dottie Rambo has been the subject of many biographic television specials: TBN‘s Portrait Of Grace, INSP‘s Inspirational Groundbreakers, BBC‘s White Gospel, GMC‘s Faith and Fame (her last interview aired on television).

In 1987, Rambo suffered a ruptured disk which led to paralysis in her left leg. She underwent a series of surgeries that eventually reinstated limited mobility. In 1992, Dottie and Buck separated; then divorced in 1994.

Although partially disabled, Rambo made major television appearances including the 700 Club, and as a regular guest performer on TBN. In 1994, TBN produced a Tribute Concert special that featured two hours of performances by Ricky Skaggs, Ricky Van Shelton, Vickie Winans, Jeannie C. Riley, Lulu Roman, and many others.

In 2002, Rambo reentered the studio to record her first solo album in eighteen years. The result was the award-winning hit Stand By The River. The title track a duet with Dolly Parton would go to the number one spot of the Christian Country Radio Chart as did its follow up, “I’m Gonna Leave Here Shoutin”.

In 2004, a major live concert DVD/CD project We Shall Behold Him: A Tribute to Dottie Rambo was released. The concert was hosted by Barbara Mandrell and included performances by Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle, Larry Gatlin, The Isaacs, Jessy Dixon, Vestal Goodman, The Speers, The Crabb Family, Albertina Walker and others.

In 2007, she performed nationwide and appeared in concert at country singer Dolly Parton’s Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.

In November 2007, Rambo completed another studio album with the working title of “Sheltered”. This album was released posthumously in September 2009 on Daywind Records. The project features 12 tracks including duets with Porter Wagoner, Mel Tillis, The Whites and Lulu Roman. Upon completing this project, Rambo started another project that was to feature new compositions and music for a 2009 release.

In 2010, an upcoming tribute CD began the recording process and will feature new tracks by artists from various genres of music, such as George Jones, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, Solomon Burke and other legendary performers. The CD is being produced by her longtime manager, Larry Ferguson and former assistant Chris Barnes.

Rambo died on May 11, 2008, as a result of injuries sustained in a bus accident along Interstate 44 just outside of Mount Vernon, Missouri. She had just finished a performance at Calvary Life Church in Granite City, Illinois and was en route to a Mother’s Day show in Texas when the 1997 Prévost bus she was traveling in ran off the road, struck a guard rail and hit an embankment. Rambo was pronounced dead at the scene. Rambo’s manager Larry Ferguson and his family were injured in the crash.

Her funeral was held at Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee on May 19, 2008. She was interred at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.