Patsy Cline has been a major influence in my musical life. I believe her to be one of the best female singers of all time. Patsy Cline was born in 1932 in Winchester , Virgina. She had been involved in the music business for several years before finally breaking through in 1957. Her big break came with a victory on the "Arther Godfrey's Talent Scouts" show , a popular T.V. show of the time. Her heartfelt rendition of "Walkin' After Midnight" brought the house down ! The then quickly-issued recording of the song did even better, racing up the country charts and crossing over to the pop charts as well, a pattern that would consistently repeat itself with most of her hits. Proof of her stardom came in 1961 when she was invited to join the cast of the "Grand Ole Opry". Patsy had an exceptional voice but it was not the voice alone, it was the heart of this girl that made the songs she sang have such an overwhelming effect on all who listened. Cline was appealing in a BIG way to people who'd never even thought of buying country records. She seemed destined for a level of stardom rarely seen in country music. But the dream ended on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash that also took the lives of country stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas. Her stature has only increased in the years since her death. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, the first solo female performer to recieve such an honour. A whole new generation was introduced to Patsy Cline and her music with the 1985 release of the film biography, Sweet Dreams, which starred Jessica Lange as Patsy. It's easy to forget that three decades have passed since Patsy's marvelous voice was stilled. The Patsy we have come to know and love will go on gathering tens of thousands of new admirers in years to come. Some of you who were too young to have watched her rise to fame may be discovering her for the first time. You can learn more about the incomparable Patsy Cline from the links below. Enjoy!!