Ride along on a journey of laughter and tears in ‘Driving Ms. Dottie'

From the first time he met her until the last day of her life in May 2008, Larry Ferguson has always loved Dottie Rambo and cherishes the memories he shared with her.

In his 2006 book, “Driving Ms. Dottie,” Ferguson shares some of those memories — both the good times and bad. Stories of traveling from town to town on a tour bus are filled with the laughter and the tears he shared with the Queen of Gospel Music.

Ferguson was manager of the gospel music legend, and his book, co-authored with Mike Collins, is now in its third printing. With stories of life, on and off the road, the book features numerous photos, many never published before, a look at the private side of stars in the entertainment industry and reveals Ferguson’s own dedication to his ministry of serving others.

“I have been working with Dottie well over a decade and been a fan since I was just a kid,” Ferguson told The Log. “I remember seeing her on television for the first time when I was about 12 and fell in love with her. I met her in my hometown. I will never forget that meeting.”

But Ferguson was more than just her manager. Like a mother and son, they shared a very special bond, and he was extremely protective of her. The depth of that friendship and their mutual respect can be seen in the book.

“Larry is more than a manager to me; he is a dear friend,” the late Ms. Dottie said in the book. “In fact, I couldn’t have handpicked a son who would have been as loving, devoted and loyal to me if I tried.”

Ferguson agrees, saying she was like a second mother to him.

“She became a grandmother, GranDot, to my two boys, Christian and Pierce,” he said. “She told me many times that I was the son she wished she’d have had because boys cling to their mothers and she needed that so much. She told my wife Judy she was the daughter she always wanted. So, our relationship was family, and we loved each other.”

Ferguson was the one who took care of Ms. Dottie’s medical needs — and there were many. In the book, he discloses some of her health issues, including pneumonia, acute back pain and 10 back surgeries, a broken leg and more. Some of the most frightening moments they shared were centered around her health.

“Dottie fell into possibly five comas in my early time with her,” Ferguson said. “She asked me in front of her medical help that I be her medical power of attorney as she felt I was the only one capable of making a decision on her life and her medical future. It was always scary knowing that she had so many health problems and that I had this special person’s health at my control, but I thank God for that now because I was able to work with her doctors and her staff to make her healthy once again.”

But there were many, many more happy times and good memories that Ferguson reveals in the book.

“You know, Dottie was such a unique individual and, at times, as funny as a monkey,” he said. “I want readers to see this lighter side of the woman who has blessed my life again and again.”
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Ferguson is now having to deal with the death of Ms. Dottie after a tragic bus accident in May. He also continues recovering from numerous injuries he suffered at that time.

“I can tell you that the last song Dottie Rambo sang on this Earth was ‘We Shall Behold Him,’ ” he said. “Dottie died doing what she loved to do, singing and encouraging people all over the world. The night she died, we were traveling to Texas to be with Lulu Roman and Naomi Sego for a special Mother’s Day concert. Mother’s Day was Dottie’s graduation day to Heaven and also a holiday that Dottie didn’t look forward to each year. Now she will never have to endure that again. God knows what He is doing, even when we don’t understand. I know I don’t, but I accept it. I miss her, will always miss her, and she will always be the Queen of Gospel Music and my heart.”

Many books have been written about Ms. Dottie, and Ferguson is working on another manuscript about his travels with her — and his life without her since the wreck.

“I know Dottie’s fans will be pleased because this time we will have more stories, more depth and then the challenges of life without Dottie and her horrible tragic death, and life as my family and those that loved Dottie would know it.”

Ferguson will also continue with Ms. Dottie’s ministry, Rambo Evangelistic Association, according to her will. There is also the possibility of a feature film about Ms. Dottie that Ferguson will let be a surprise.

“Dottie always said, never reveal anything until it’s a done thing as you can have egg on your face. Anything I do, or I’m involved in, will always show Dottie in a positive and truthful light.. Anyone who followed Dottie knows that is all I ever wanted or will want.”

With Ms. Dottie writing more than 2,500 songs during her lifetime, Ferguson has a hard time picking a favorite.

“I would say that ‘Oil and The Wine’ is one of the greatest songs, and I have always said that is my favorite. As for fun songs, ‘Stand By The River,’ because it involved my two favorite ladies, Dottie Rambo and Dolly Parton. Two of the greatest writers and singers sharing one song, and I got to set that up and be a part of that, so it is very special to me. My son, Christian, also used to sing the song with Dottie on stage every night.”

Evangelist Benny Hinn once told Ferguson, “God chose you to take care of this woman. Watch over her!”

And Ferguson did. And continues to do so. Just as a son would watch over his mother.

“My wife and I have a call (to guard and protect the gift within Dottie) on our lives with Dottie,” Ferguson says in the book. He continues this calling, even though she is gone.

“No Oscar, no Grammy, no award, no special titles could honor a person as much as having Dottie Rambo in their life every day,” he said.

“That was my greatest accomplishment outside of being a father and husband. Dottie’s sister Nellie said to me, ‘I worried each night about Dottie. When you came with her, I could go to sleep each night knowing Dottie was cared for and safe.’ Now, do you know anything better said to a human than that?”
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Ferguson’s medical bills from the accident include several surgeries, and with no medical insurance, bills have been piling up. Monies from the sale of the book will be used for these needs.

“Driving Ms. Dottie” is available in stores or, for a signed copy, send $25 plus $3/shipping to Larry Ferguson, 4120 Oriole Place, Nashville TN 37215. Or also order from The Ernest Tubb Record Shops, (615) 255-7503 or The Southern Gospel Music Association and Museum, (856) 908-4040.

Ferguson will always remember Ms. Dottie as a mother to him and grandmother to his sons, but most of all for her genius.

“The music industry will never have another writer or performer like her,” he said. “Her legacy may not live through any particular person, as I don’t think God could put that gifting on anyone else in the same blood line; however, her legacy will live through her songs. Her music and gift touched Hollywood as well as the church. Her songs were as much at home on TBN as they were on Dr. Phil and Saturday Night Live. Now that is something even male Christian songwriters couldn’t say they have had the privilege of, especially without pursuing it. God just let those things fall in her lap.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her or think of how she would handle a situation. She was my life.”