Patsy Cline country singer

Remembering the late great  PATSY CLINE

 

The fabulous Country music legend Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. She helped break down the gender barrier in this musical genre. Known for her smooth-sounding, emotive voice, she started performing at a young age. Her father Samuel was a blacksmith. Her mother Hilda was only 16 years of age when she married Cline's father, who was more than 25 years older than his bride. The couple had three children together before splitting up. Hilda became a seamstress to help support her family.

Cline taught herself how to play piano around the age of 8. She later discovered her passion for singing. When she was sixteen, Cline dropped out of school to go to work. Her family desperately needed the money. She worked a number of places, including a poultry plant and a local soda shop. In her free time, Cline started her singing career. She performed on local radio stations and entered numerous singing contests.

Career Beginnings

In 1952, Cline began performing with bandleader Bill Peer's group. Peer encouraged her to change her first name to "Patsy" for their performances. She picked up the second part of her now famous moniker the following year after marrying Gerald Cline. Cline landed a recording contract in 1954, but her first few singles failed to catch on.

Cline's career hit a turning point in 1957. She landed a spot on the Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts show. Cline wowed audiences with her performance of "Walkin' After Midnight," winning the program's competition. After her appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, the song hit the country and pop charts. Cline divorced her first husband around this time. She soon married Charles Dick. The couple had two children together, daughter Julie and son Randy.

Country Star

In the early 1960s, Cline enjoyed great success on the country and pop charts. She also joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee—a true sign of her place in country music. Now with Decca Records, she released some of her greatest hits. "I Fall to Pieces" hit the top of the country charts in 1961. It also became a top 20 single on the pop charts. Chart success soon struck again with the Willie Nelson-penned "Crazy." That same year, Cline survived a traumatic car crash.

In 1962, Cline again hit the number one spot on the country charts with "She's Got You." She started performing with Johnny Cash around this time, joining his tour. Cline performed with the likes of June Carter and George Jones during this time. She was supportive of other female country artists, such as Loretta Lynn, and she tried to help with them their careers.



Patsy Cline's own career was all too brief. She died on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. After her death, the song "Sweet Dreams" was released and became a hit. Considering one of country music's greatest vocalists, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973. Her life became the subject of the 1985 film, Sweet Dreams,




Country Star
Tragic Death and Legacy

starring Jessica Lange. Her music remains popular today with fans around the world. Some of her fans even make the pilgrimage to her hometown of Winchester, Virginia, to visit the Patsy Cline Historic Home.









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