Colleen Cawthon
Tenczar- Period #1
Date
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline became a very influential person to many women and men alike. Because of her hard work and dedication, she cracked open music's soul. Patsy opened the way for women in the country music industry through her struggle to the top, her first top hit "Walkin' After Midnight", and becoming a well known country music legend.
Everyone needs a starting point in order to become anyone in life. Patsy Cline is no exception. Patsy grew up in Winchester, Virginia as Virginia Patterson Hensley. She sang in her church's choir at the tender age of eight. Patsy started to sing at nightclubs with Bill Peer and his Melody Boys in 1948 ("Patsy Cline 10-112). Wally Fowler then talked a sixteen year- old Patsy to journey to Nashville, Tennessee in order to appear on the "WSM Dinner Bell" radio show. She attempted to break into the industry, but couldn't find an opening.
She's Got You (EP)
Here's Patsy Cline
Original cover of the 1961 studio album, Patsy Cli...She then became a club dancer to earn money to further her dream. Patsy was finally able to sign a contract with William McCall's 4 Star Sales Co. The first few singles she recorded were not successful. However the way she acted on TV as well as her personal aura got her a lot of regional fame (Jones, Margaret). Patsy's turning point came about in 1957, after winning "The Arthur Godfreys Talent Show" competition. At the Godfrey Show she performed "Walkin' After Midnight", which went on to become a top hit in both country and pop music charts. This major breakthrough propelled Patsy and her career to the front line of her genre. However, her success was short lived due to a sudden and unexpected death. On March 5, 1963 Patsy Cline died in a plane crash ("Patsy Cline" 110-112).