Dear Friends,

Its with a heavy heart that I write today. As many of you know I have made lots of extended family since I have been in Nashville. One such family member was gospel Legend Dottie Rambo. She was just like an adopted grandmother. Her songs have touched generations of people throughout every background imaginable. I was honored to know her as not only a hero but as a friend and colleague. I'm writing because I'm sure many of you have heard that she passed away early Sunday morning in a tour bus accident.

 

I was in Louisville Kentucky with my church family there when I received the call, and throughout the day yesterday received many calls and emails from concerned friends and family letting me know that they too felt sadness at the loss of such a wonderful lady. On Saturday night Dottie had left a concert in IL where she had sung songs she had written like " I'm Gonna Leave Here Shoutin", "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" and " We Shall Behold Him". She along with Manager Larry Ferguson and several others were on their way to Texas to be in a special Mother's Day Concert with Lulu Roman and Naomi Sego. On late Sunday evening her bus had an accident leaving several members of her Ministry team with severe injuries. Dottie was doing what she loved best when "the Holy Hills of Heaven called Her" Seems like from her early beginnings as a new christian at the age of 12 she was singing up until the day she went home. It seems now to give us all new meaning when we hear those familiar songs she wrote about heaven.


        Justin with Dottie and Lulu Roman

I wanted to write this because Dottie was not only an incredible songwriter but she was an amazing woman who believed in the promises of God. I also wanted to pay tribute to her and tell a few stories that I will never forget from my time with her.

I had been a fan of Dottie and the Rambo's since I was a very young child. That sound was influential in everything that I have sung. Her voice was recognizable by just hearing it and in most cases it seemed that the pain she had experienced in her life through her health problems and the heartaches she had gone through over the years had not only helped to shape her faith but had helped countless others through their struggles as well. I don't think Dottie ever met a stranger and you certainly couldn't be around her long without becoming a member of her family.

One of the memories I will always have of Dottie is going to see and watching the Del Shores play "Sordid Lives" with her. She was so gracious with everyone there... and wasn't afraid to be in a place that most people in her everyday world would have frowned upon. She truly embraced everyone there with open arms because I believe that Dottie could see past the outer shell of a person to look deep inside and find the good within them. Through the years she would always sing one of her most famous compositions, "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need" but you got the feeling that she not only knew that God had the power to do that, but after being around her, that she herself could look beyond what conservative christianity called the sin or considered to be faults and see that people had needs and that God cherished them just as much as even the most righteous person. It was another gift besides songwriting that God gave her. This is a great lesson that I learned from her and one that I hope I too can learn how to do in my everyday life.


         Justin with Dottie and Leslie Jordan

Another thing that I'll always treasure was singing with Dottie on her album that has yet to be released. It was always a dream of mine to sing with her. She was so gracious and loving to allow this Kentucky boy to sing with her. That session was memorable for many reasons. One moment that sticks out in my mind in particular is when the Country group The Whites came in to sing "New Shoes" with Dottie. Sharon White asked Dottie if she would pray for them. I stood over in the back of the room as Dottie, the Whites, Producer Mark Moseley, and Manager Larry Ferguson gathered in a circle to pray. At one point in her prayer that was supposed to be for the Whites, Dottie stopped and said "Where's Justin?" Then she motioned for me to come over and stand next to her and she prayed the sweetest prayer over me for my ministry and for my family and all the problems that had gone on with them over the years. I'll never forget how small I felt standing next to Dottie. Although she was small in stature and her pace had slowed over the years due to the tremendous amounts of pain she had experienced from her back trouble, she, I think had more faith than anyone in that room. Another moment I will always treasure is listening to her interact and sing with my adopted grandfather Porter Wagoner. They recorded "Sheltered In The Arms of God" a song that will now definitely be special to us all because we know now that Dottie and Porter both are Sheltered safe within the arms of the savior that they sang about!


                 Justin, Dottie and Porter Wagoner

I know that Dottie wouldn't want us to be sad after all she did write a song called "Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City". Although we have lost the precious gift of Dottie Rambo her songs will live on through her precious family Reba and Dony McGuire and also her grandchildren Destiny and Israel. I also know that she is happy with her savior and all those that she loved that's gone on before her. I bet she's jumping and laughing and telling stories in her "New Shoes" and I bet she's got that Mansion right next door to Jesus that she always sang about. I bet she's already seen Porter, and Vestal, and all the others she loved. I bet she's even written a new song for the heavenly choir to sing. A song about faith about friends and about praising Jesus. Because that's what the life of Dottie Rambo was all about. I know we will see her again!

Please keep the family's of Larry Ferguson (Dottie's Manager) and Chris Barnes (Dotties Webmaster) in your prayers as well as they were seriously injured in the accident. Also keep Dony, Reba, Destiny, and Israel in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their mother and Grand Dot.

Thank you Lord for Dottie and the things that she has reminded us. Thank you for her witness and for the love that she showed to EVERYONE.

Until the "Holy Hills of Heaven call us all"

Hello Everyone,

I hope this finds you all well and having a great summer!! Things have been
extremely busy here in Nashville!


Upcoming FloridaTour 




At the end of June Justin will be making the trek back to Florida, He will
be in Concert in Sarasota, St Petersburg, and Tampa. Be watching the website
for more details. The concerts will feature music from the Surrender album
as well as stories from the road and a time of Prayer and Reflection. If you
live in the Florida area, please come out and be a part of these wonderful
concerts!

Digital Downloads 

Now Available 




We are proud to offer all the songs from Justin's album Surrender as digital
downloads on the website. This is ideal for those of you who are addicted
to your ipods. Each download is $.99.

Dottie Rambo Sessions 




Recently Justin has been in the studio with the Legendary Dottie Rambo,
working on her latest album. It was an honor to be able to work with Dottie as
she has been a hero and a friend for so many years. Justin was priviledged to
sing Background vocals on many of the songs with other great Nashville
Studio singers (Angie Primm, Marty Slayton, and Jennifer Obrien) The album will
feature many of Dottie's great songs from the past. It also boasts of a
guest artist list with many more legends. Dottie had several cuts where she did
Duets with artists like The Whites, Mel Tillis, Lulu Roman (from HeeHaw)
and Porter Wagoner (Justin's "adopted" grandfather) The album will be released
late 2007 or early 2008. You can see pics from the sessions on the photo
pages of the website. Also soon there will be a video placed online with a few
comments about Justin from Dottie. I know you will all want to stop by and
see that!

Porter Wagoner 50th 

Anniversary 




Justin was honored to be invited to Porter Wagoner's 50th Anniversary
Celebration at the Grand Ole Opry House on May 19th. It was a wonderful time
honoring one of country music's legendary forefathers. The evening included
performances by Porter, Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless, and of course Dolly Parton.
As many of you know Porter has been a strong supporter of Justin's music.
Happy 50th Porter!! Check out the photos page for more pics from this
exciting evening.

Justin in the Studio 

Justin has been staying extremely busy in the studio working with some of
the greatest studio singers in Nashville. He will be in the studio later this
month with bluegrass and country artist, Christie Lynn. Porter Wagoner will
be producing this great album. It will be a bluegrass gospel Album featuring
Ralph Stanley's bluegrass band. Slated guest artists to appear on this
album are Dr. Ralph Stanley and Dolly Parton. Justin will be singing background
vocals on this project.

Are you on Myspace? 

If you are on myspace check Justin's myspace page out at
_www.myspace.com/ccmmusic_ (http://www.myspace.com/ccmmusic)


Vintage Video Footage 


 

Be sure the check out the video page and see all the new video footage as
well as some hillarious video of Justin at age 5 years old. There is also a
sweet video of Justin singing with his Grandmother.


From Justin 


I hope everyone's summer is going well. I hope that you have been able to
enjoy the time with family and loved ones. Lots of exciting things have been
going on and more stuff is on the way. I am excited about some new projects
so be looking for news on that in the near future.
I am so amazed at how God continues to open doors and use my ministry. I
hope to see some of you in Florida and hear from more of your on our website
through our guestbook and email list. Please stop by and sign our guestbook.
Know that I am praying for you and I love hearing your stories. Thanks for
continuing to support my ministry.

I love you all!! 




_www.justinryanonline.com_ (http://www.justinryanonline.com)