The Balladeer Turns 40

Letter from Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard

Sam Goddard was serving as Arizona Governor at the beginning of1966 when he sent an emissary, Jim Gremanis, to ask Dolan whether he would consider establishing the position of Arizona's Official State Balladeer, and serving in that job. 

Dolan had left the New Christy Minstrels during the summer of 1963, returning to Arizona to make his home.  In between his post-Christy nationwide and worldwide tours, he had begun a serious exploration of Arizona's backroads and was having a blast.  And he was starting to write the Arizona songs for which he is now so well known.

Arizona's Official State Balladeer? Dolan didn't have to think about it for very long.  It was an honor for him then and remains an honor today, 40 years later. 

Sadly, Sam Goddard passed away on February 1, 2006, just a few days before Dolan began his 40th Anniversary celebration.  Sam Goddard's son, Terry, now serving as Attorney General of Arizona, wrote this wonderful letter to Dolan, proclaiming him "the musical heart and soul of Arizona."