Dottie West had a rough life growing up during the great depression in Tennessee. Her father was an out of work alcoholic that abused and sexually assaulted her, she helped out at her mom’s restaurant, and work the family farm. As she entered her teen years her life did start to look brighter. She started performing on local radio show and joined a band at highschool where she sang and played guitar. By the time she was 17 her self-esteem had risen enough that she turned her father in to the local authorities and testified against him in court. She would go on to attend Tennessee Technical Universe on a music scholarship where she meet fellow student Bill West. As the saying goes the best was still to come.
In 1959 Dottie West, along with her husband, signed her first professional recording contract but didn’t have much success. The couple then moved to Nashville, where after meeting up with a group of up and comers, her career took off. For the next 30+ years Dottie West was one of the most successful and influence country artist of the time. She opened doors for other female country artist, sand duet with some of the biggest names in country, and acted on both television and Broadway.
- “A lesson in leavin’”: Over 2 decades into a spectacular career Ms. West finally scored a number 1 on the country charts. The song talks about a woman that finally realize the man she has been seeing is not going to change his cheating ways and she is better off without him.
- “Here comes my baby”: This song written by Dottie and Bill West, here husband at the time, won her a Grammy award and a place in the Grand Ole Opry..The song speaks of something many of are guilty of and that is letting someone who hurt us back into our lives.
- “Careless hands”: A beautiful but somewhat melancholic song about loving someone that has brought you some joy but mostly heartache. A song deserving of being in Dottie West collection.
- “Rings of gold”: A duet with Don Gibson that reached number 10 on the country charts. A song about marriage that come to its sad end after over a betrayal of their vows.
- “Last time I saw him”: A song recalling a sad departure and a promise of a better life to come that never comes to fruition. This song peaked at number 8 on the country charts.
- “Look who’s talking”: This duet with Jim Reeves was one of Dottie West early hits that showed the star that she about to become. As the song says sometimes closes friends an be our worst enemies.
- “It’s high time”: Get out on the dance floor and let your body move to the beat of this powerful song about picking yourself up and getting on with your life. This was the last time Ms. West was in the top 20 on the country chart but she still had plenty more hits.
- “Every time two fools collide”: Ms. West’s solo career was experience a downturn when she teamed up with Kenny Rogers. This song would be near the top of your collection.
- “Delta Dawn”: Not the best known version of the song but possibly one of the best versions. A very emotional song about woman who is ridiculed for her faith in a promise.
- “Country Sunshine”: Written by Ms. West this song was both a commercial for Coca-cola and one of Ms. West biggest hits. Soon after release the upbeat song it became a fan favorite and one of the signature songs of her career.
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