Encouraging youth and their talents for the traditional music of Appalachia brings one of the legends of gospel music to Ringgold. Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Dottie Rambo brings “An Evening with Dottie Rambo” April 14 at 7 p.m. to the Ringgold United Methodist Church to help the non-profit Share America Foundation, Inc. raise funds for it Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund.
“I pray that the people will hear and be willing to help those that need help to open some doors so dreams come true,” she said in a telephone interview from Nashville. “It is much needed thing to help these young kids
get an education. I am happy to help anyway I can.”
The Share America Foundation, Inc. presents scholarships to talented
musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts. Ms. Rambo said her father made her leave home near Morganfield, Ky. at the age of 12 when she dedicated her life to singing gospel songs. “I had no support,” she said. “I didn’t have a dime to my name and had a little cardboard suitcase. My mother had me take her only good dress up to a lady that altered things and I sat out in the screened in porch while she measured it and cut it down. I sat there and cried. Mother walked me seven miles to bus station put my name tag around my neck and put me on the bus and said, ‘I am going to worry God to death over you so He will take care of you.’
She said all she had to play was a homemade guitar put together by her brother on a ship while he served in the Navy until one day a couple graciously bought her a red Gibson guitar. She saw in a way that was a bit of a scholarship for her. “I played that and it was like somebody handed me a pot of gold,” she said. “I can still see it today and that was the first time anyone ever helped me.”
Ms. Rambo said throughout her travels the Lord blessed her and young people have often come to her and asked her how they should cultivate their talents. "First of all, I tell kids they really need to be in a good church,” she said. “If they think they are a good singer, I suggest they talk with the music director in the church. Sing a song for him. Hopefully he will give you some tips and let you sing in the choir,” she said. “That’s a real beginning. That’s the starter I didn’t get a chance to do.”
In her life, she has often taught songwriting seminars to aspiring performers or simply counseled singers in time of need. One of many was the late Elvis Presley, who recorded her music.
Film producer Chuck Baril is now crafting a movie “The King of Rock n Roll” looking at many of the positive influences of Presley’s life. Among the scenes will be a focus on the influence Ms. Rambo had on Elvis.
“Most of the world are not aware of this close relationship,” he said. “Dottie Rambo fans will be thrilled.” Although she will not play herself, she is slated to play Minnie Mae Presley, grandmother of Elvis, he said.
Ms. Rambo said that the Lord blessed her with music to get her started. "I have never been shy again," she said. "I’d open up to people and tell them my heart.”
However, it is the combination of music and life experiences that allowed her to pen so many of the 2,500 plus songs in her career such as “Too Much to Gain to Lose“ and ”In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul.”
“From 1970 to 1992, I was sent home nine times to die,” she said. “When my
back was messed up and I was paralyzed on my left side, I was flat on my back with a nurse around the clock.”
In her solo performance, she will share songs from throughout her career
such as “We Shall Behold Him” and “He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My
Needs.”
She said she will live dangerously by asking the audience to make some requests from songs throughout her career. “I will give my very best,” she said.
Ms. Rambo is also a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, received the Songwriter of the Century Award, and the ASCAP (America Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Randall Franks from TV's "In the Heat of the Night” will emcee the evening and will also feature special performances by the Jeff Hullender Family and Garrett Arb.
Donations for tickets are adults: $12 at door, $10 in advance, Children 6-16
$6 at door, $5 advance, Children 5 and under free. Seating is limited to
400. Advance tickets are available during business hours at The Catoosa
County News (706) 935-2621, SonShine Christian Books (706) 861-7675 in Fort
Oglethorpe, Catoosa County Probate Office (706) 935-3511, and Ringgold
United Methodist Church (706) 935-4777 (8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday).
Share America Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 42 Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.