Born:
Born on September 8, 1932 as Virginia Patterson Hensley to Samuel and Hilda Hensley.
Birthplace:
Winchester, Virginia
Died:
She died near Camden, Tennessee on March 5, 1963 due to a plane crash.
Early Years:
At the age of 14, she was heard every Saturday on DJ Joltin' Jim McCoy's radio program. In 1952, she performed with Bill Peer and His Melody Boys at Moose Lodge in Maryland. It was Bill Peer who encouraged her to use "Patsy" as her stage name. That same year, she met and started dating Gerald Cline. The couple got married a year later. On September 30, 1954, Patsy Cline signed a contract with Four Star Music Sales.
Becoming Famous:
Several well-received guest appearances followed; specifically on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts where she sang "Walking After Midnight." The said song was released on February 11, 1957 and climbed the country music charts to #2. Her self-titled debut album was released on August 5, 1957. She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 9, 1960 and signed with Decca after her contract with Four Star ended. Her first recording under Decca, "I Fall to Pieces," was released in 1961. Ironically, the said song became a chart-topper while Patsy was in the hospital recuperating from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Other Albums:
Other Songs:
Her next big hit after "I Fall to Pieces" was "Crazy" (written by Willie Nelson). This song climbed the country music charts to #2. Other memorable songs by Patsy Cline include: "She's Got You," (#1 country hit) "Anytime," "Faded Love," "Heartaches," "He Called Me Baby," "When I Get Through With You," "So Wrong" and "Sweet Dreams (of You)."
Other Accomplishments/Awards:
Interesting Facts:
In 1957, Patsy and Gerald Cline divorced but she retained his surname as part of her stage name. She then married Charlie Dick on September 15, 1957. The couple had two children: Julie (born in 1958) and Randy (born in 1961).
Patsy died in a plane crash at the height of her career. She, along with Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes, were headed to a performance when their plane crashed due to bad weather. Everyone on board died.
