Visit pages on Patsy Cline's life, her family, songs, photos, her rise to the country music Hall of Fame, and more!
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PATSY CLINE, was born in the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia, on September 8, 1932. The family home was in nearby Gore. Legend has it that she was entertaining her neighbors as early as age 3! Her natural talent and spirit took her to the top of the country charts in 1962, and her style and popularity has never waned.
Walking After Midnight (Video) - Patsy Cline <bgsound src=files/PatsyCline_IFallToPieces.wav loop=infinite>Please stop song playing before clicking Video
Patsy's big break came when she won an Arthur Godfrey Talent program in 1957 with the hit Walkin' After Midnight. From there she pursued a recording career appearing at the mecca of country music - the Grand Ole Opry in 1958, and received national awards in 1961 and 1962. Quoted from The Offical Patsy Cline Website Celebrating PATSY
John's 45 RPM "Walkin' After Midnight
Monday, January 21, 1957: On Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (Godfrey was then the king of network TV day and night-time), very much against her will, Patsy was forced to sing a song she hated, "Walkin' After Midnight." It wasn't country and Patsy didn't want to sing a pop song. Worse, the song was arranged as a big band number. The winner would be decided by audience response on a huge "Applause Meter."
What happened, was just unbelievable. Patsy sang her heart out. Then there was an eternity of applause. "Patsy cried." This moment was everything Patsy ever dreamed of - the recognition and receiving such fantastic exposure over national television. People were standing and yelling for more. Godfrey finally had to calm the audience. He put his arm around her and said, "Congratulations, Patsy. Something unbelievable has happened. For the first time in our history, the applause has frozen the meters. It looks like you're the winner!" All Patsy could do was smile and cry. "Little lady, you sure know how to sing. Will you do another song for us?" The audience went wild. Patsy got to do a country song after all, the Hank Williams hit Your Cheatin' Heart. And when she finished, the audience went crazy again! It was one of the most memorable occasions of Patsy's life! Godfrey congratulated Patsy once again, "There's surely stardust on you, Patsy Cline!" Excerpts from John's Book Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story Of Patsy Cline by Ellis Nassour
Thank You Stephanie for this beautiful Award March 29 2006
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