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March 4, 2022

Almanac of Story Tellers: Patsy Cline

  Every day brings a new story.  And each day contributes to the art of story telling -- in prose and poetry, in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books

Today is the story of March 5th
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    It is the 64th day of the year, leaving 301 days remaining in 2022.
 
    On this day in 1963, the country music legend, Patsy Cline, died in a plane crash in Tennessee. 


    Given Cline's voice, her friendships, and her impact, the crash could easily be termed the day country music died.

    For Cline was already a legend. Her wide-ranging contralto voice made her one of the first crossover talents between country and pop music. Her delivery in telling stories through song was expressive, emotional, and powerful. 

    She first gained national fame when she sang Walking After Midnight and won first place on the old televsion show, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, in 1957. Within a month, the song hit No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

    A few years later, she moved to Nashville and was soon regularly appearing on the Grand Ole Opry and releasing popular albums. While recovering from an automobile accident in 1961, she was given the opportunity to record the song Crazy, written by Willie Nelson. Cline at first refused, and had to be persuaded to sing what was to become her greatest hit.

    It was a pop and a country hit, became her signature song, and is considered a classic of the country genrĂ©.

    Cline's influence in music has been particularly strong in encouraging women to enter the field, and many stars over the past 60 years have cited her as an inspiration. In her life, she has strong friendship with other women in country music, particularly Loretta Lynn and Dottie West. She also befriended and toured with Roger Miller and Faron Young.

    Cline was 30 when she died. 

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