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A Night To Remember with Dottie Rambo

Picture this! Here we are rushing to get to the Ryman Auditorium and wouldn't you know it, even though there were no traffic jams, it seemed it was taking forever to get there. Once we finally arrived, we had to hunt for parking. We're parked, we rush inside to get to the will call window to pick up our back stage passes and tickets. Somehow we get behind this lady who was ordering Opry tickets for the next three weeks, and she was taking FOREVER.

As you can see from the pictures, we finally did get backstage to find that most of the artists had left to go get changed for the program. Things just weren't working out like I had planned. I did catch a few of the artists and I did get to talk with Rick Hendrix and a few other media people, so it wasn't a total waste. The backstage pass was only good for the pre-concert time, so it was time to go find our seats. On the way up to our seats it was like a who's who in Southern Gospel Music. We ran into the crew of Daywind Records as well as a few from Spring Hill Records, not to mention Sue Dodge and Ann Downing with some of her friends. Then there was also Rick Shelton and Les Butler from Solid Gospel headed for their seats too.

At long last the tribute to Dottie Rambo began. Host for the evening was Barbara Mandrel. I was surprised that she didn't sing a song, but she was a wonderful Host. Barbara immediately brought out Dottie Rambo, introducing her as the Songwriter of the Decade, which was welcomed with a standing ovation. Dottie started the program by singing one of her famous songs, "The Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me", which the crowd simply loved and gave her another standing ovation.

Barbara and Dottie chatted a bit and then Barbara brought out some high profile Country singers who were laying flowers at Dottie's feet with some very gracious words. First was Crystal Gayle and she ended her set with a tribute to a little girl that Dottie had written the song "Tiny" about. There was not a dry eye in the house when the story of this song was finished.

Then Larry Gatlin appeared and performed "Sheltered In The Arms Of God." He sat with Dottie as she explained how she came to write "Too Much To Gain To Lose", which Larry and Dottie then sang as a beautiful duet.

Stella Parton and Barbara Fairchild both sang a couple of Dottie's songs adding to the country flair that was going on.

Next, making the night very special, Reba Rambo McGuire sang a special tribute to her mother, and then Reba's daughter, Dottie's granddaughter, Destiny, sang a powerful heartrending song. Finally the three of them sang for the first time ever in public, a heart touching rendition of "Remind Me, Dear Lord". The Rambo trio brought the crowd to such a climax that it was a perfect spot for an intermission.

After intermission the program moved to the Southern Gospel side of things. Opening the second half of the program was Vestal Goodman as she brought the crowd to their feet with "There's Nothing My God Can't Do". Dottie and Vestal had some very interesting conversation while sitting on the couch chatting. They were reminiscing about the miracle that happened when Reba was sick in the hospital with spinal meningitis and the Doctors had given up hope for her to live. As it turned out, Dottie"s Pastor had been talking with Dr. Jesus, and he had a miracle in store. It was then that Dottie realized that God had given her the song about that miracle two days before as she penned "There Is Nothing My God Can't Do". Vestal elaborated on how she and Howard were at Dottie's church the next Sunday when Dottie gave her testimony and sang this song, and Vestal immediately took it back to the Happy Goodmans and they started singing it.

After being so inspired by Dottie and Vestal's reminiscing, Barbara brought out Jesse Dixon, and nobody sings "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" like Jesse Dixon. It was certainly a show stopper, in fact it was the only song that had an encore all night.

Next came out the Jordanaires as they discussed Elvis Presley with Dottie and her close relationship with him. The Speer Family came out and did a powerful rendition of "I Will Glory In The Cross". Following the Speers was The Crabb Family. I must say that I was a little disappointed that is was just the three boys of the Crabb Family. I don't know why the whole family wasn't able to perform, and while they sounded fine, it just wasn't like the whole Crabb Family singing.

When the Isaacs hit the stage, they were fully loaded with all their instruments, and they brought the audience to their feet as they sang "He Aint Never Done Me Nothin' But Good". Dottie joined the Isaacs for a rousing rendition of "Mamma's Teaching Angels How To Sing" and once again the crowd was on their feet. Dottie then took center stage as she sang one of her most popular and beautiful songs "Behold The Lamb" complete with the sign language that she has become noted for on that particular song.

The evening ended on an exciting note as Albertina Walker, of whom Dottie has been a long time fan, sang Dottie's classic "He Looked Beyond My Faults". The final song of the evening was sung by Albertina and Dottie. It was none other than "I Go To The Rock".

What a great song to end the program with, and then the whole cast of singers came out and joined them for a few final choruses. It was a fitting finale for a great tribute to one of the most outstanding songwriters in the past few decades.

;The whole program will soon be coming out on television, and probably a little later on VHS and DVD. Be on the lookout for when it comes out on your TV station and when it comes out on video. You won't want to miss it, you will be blessed!