News

Joyce "Dottie" Rambo died in a highway accident two miles east of Mount Vernon, MO, yesterday. The gospel legend was 74. Seven other passengers were also hurt (moderately to severely) as Rambo's tour bus veered offroad and hit an embankment. It's unclear whether the area's severe storms and tornados caused the incident, which happened as Rambo drove toward a Mother's Day show in Texas.

"She was a giant in the gospel music industry," Rambo's agent, Beckie Simmons, told Billboard.com. "Dolly Parton recorded some of her songs."

About Parton, she immediately released her own statement, saying, "I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed. Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, songwriter and entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner."

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Rambo lat year, and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame did the same in 2006. The singer has more than 2,500 songs to her credit, including "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need" and "We Shall Behold Him."

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
05.12.08