Dottie West

Born Dorothy Marie Marsh in McMinnville, TN in 1932, country music legend Dottie West reached the heights of fame most singers only dream about.

From her humble childhood spent picking cotton, the oldest of 10 children, Dottie dreamed of being a singer as she would listen to the Grand Ole Opry by the family radio each Saturday night. Raised by her mother, Pelina, Dottie grew in strength, despite her abusive father, and aspired for a better life for herself. With her suitcase and her guitar in hand, she set off for college in search of her destiny. What she found there was Bill West, a fellow student and musician. The two married in 1953. they moved to Ohio for several years where Bill worked for a steel company. Dottie, with several small children, sold Fuller brushes door to door. But still she dreamed.

Her big break as a performer came on the Cleveland TV show, "Landmark Jamboree," and she continued on the show for five years. In 1959, as the West's were visiting Nashville, they auditioned for Starday Records, where she was picked up as an artist, but to no great success. Still it prompted the couple to move to Nashville in 1961, where they would befriend and write songs with the "who's who" of country music. Willie Nelson. Kris Kristofferson. Roger Miller. Her dear friend, Patsy Cline. All were fixtures in the West home.

Dottie's break as a write in Nashville came with a Jim Reeves cut, "Is This Me?" which went to #3. Jim then hooked Dottie up with the legendary producer and guitar player, Chet Atkins, who signed her with RCA Victor. After several singles reaching the top 40, she finally had her first hit with a song written by her and Bill entitled "Here Comes My Baby." It reached the top 10, and in 1964,won Dottie a Grammy Award, the first ever given to a woman in country music ("Best Country and Western Performance, Female"). It was the same year Dottie became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Over the next few years, she had many hits. "Would You Hold It Against Me." "Paper Mansions." "Country Girl." But in 1973, she wrote and recorded one of her most famous songs. "Country Sunshine." It became the ad campaign song for Coca-Cola, and won Dottie a Clio Award, plus two Grammy nominations. Now all of America was singing Dottie's songs.

The 70's saw her marriage to Bill end, and a new chapter in her life began. A new husband. A new record labels. And a new look for Dottie. She was on top of the world. Then a chance meeting with Kenny Rogers while she was in a recording studio cutting "Every Time Two Fools Collide" made music history. The result of that union was a #1 hit. They also hit the top of the charts with "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight," which was rewarded by the CMA with the "Vocal Duo Of The Year" Award. Their two duet albums brought a string of hits, like "All I Ever Need Is You," which reached #1, and "Til I Can Make It On My Own," topping at #3. Again, in 1979, the couple won "Vocal Duo of the Year" as presented by the CMA. The following year, Dottie found huge success in her solo career with her first #1 song, "Lesson In Leavin," a song recently re-cut by artist JoDee Messina. More albums. More hits. Bob Mackie designer clothes. Life was a dream come true for the little girl from McMinnville.

Along the way, Dottie had many opportunities to help others attain their dreams of stardom. Larry Gatlin and Steve Wariner are two such examples. She recognized their talent, and hired them to join the band. Steve wasn't even out of high school at the time. Their time with Dottie was well spent, as both have gone on to become multi-award winning writers and performers. And both are quick to say they owe it all to Dottie.

Change soon came again for Dottie. Another turning point. A failed marriage. A new husband. A new record label. Over the next few years, Dottie set out to prove to the world she was more than just a great singer and a hit song writer. She was also an "actress," performing in plays and movies, which were met with critical success. And after a few ups and downs, her career seemed to be on the rise again.

But in 1990, Dottie West faced her most difficult days. With bad investments from poor financial counsel, Dottie was indebted to the IRS for millions of dollars. When her possessions were taken from her and sold at public auction, she held her head high, greeted her fans, and signed momentos. It would take more than this to break Dottie West. She was planning recording projects. She was writing a book. Her life was looking upward once again.

It was in this time that her life "changed." Easter of 1991 brought Dottie to church to see her son, Kerry, portray Jesus Christ in a church production called "One Touch." At the end of the service, the pastor opened up the altar for anyone to come and pray, who needed "one touch." And Dottie responded. Kerry, dressed as Jesus, escorted his mother to the altar and heard her prayer to the Lord, confessing Jesus as her Savior. Her life would never be the same again.

Fast forward five months. On August 30th, 1991, Dottie is scheduled to perform on the Opry, but had car trouble. An elderly neighbor gives her a ride but loses control of his car resulting in a terrible car crash. Dottie, not yet knowing the full extent of her injuries, pulls the man from the wreck. But she was wounded internally, beyond what anyone at the scene realized. Even Dottie herself. After several surgeries, on September 4th, Dottie West died. As the narrator on TNN's special, 'The Life and Times of Dottie West," said sorrowfully, "The Country Sunshine was no more..."