Nashville Trip: Patsy Cline Museum

On my recent trip to Nashville, our group was on the way to dinner with about 45 minutes to kill. We stumbled upon the Johnny Cash Museum and all were excited to go inside and check it out. I noticed that a slightly smaller sign was promoting the Patsy Cline Museum one floor above. I quickly left the group.

It was a whirlwind for me, as I did not really have the time to absorb all the details as I would have liked. Instead, I adopted a “snap now look at later” mentality. Patsy has been a favorite of mine for years, ever since my early 30s when I discovered her vocal magic. This gal could sing like nobody’s business and put her heart and soul into every number.



On the way to superstardom, she tragically died in a plane crash in 1963 at the age of 30. Despite her life being cut short, superstardom was achieved posthumously, as “Crazy” and “Walkin’ After Midnight” are still favorites of music lovers everywhere.



The museum is small, but packed with a number of rare and extremely personal items related to Patsy, including many of the letters she wrote to fans and friends. Her down to earth quality is evident in all of them.



The soda fountain that Patsy worked at as a teen is represented by an actual booth and sign from the Drug Store in Winchester, Virginia:



You can even get a glimpse of Patsy’s house from the key:



to the den:



to the dining room, re-created with Patsy’s original decor:



Here’s La Cline in the actual room:



How about this lovely serving set?



It would have been a nice touch if they had put 3 cigarettes in the ashtray.



One of the most touching parts of the exhibit were these two costumes created after Patsy’s death. She had given very specific instructions to Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors about what she wanted them to look like just before her fatal crash. Finally, in 2017, Nudie’s carried out her wish; you can just about see her wearing these.



If you’re ever in Nashville, make sure you stop by here; and leave plenty of time!

See more Patsy Cline Museum photos at my main website.

Patsy Cline: A Daveland Favorite

51 years ago today, music legend Patsy Cline tragically passed away at the age of 30 in a plane crash. It was a serendipitous discovery for me when I first began seriously listening to her music. I was in my 30s going nowhere fast, and Patsy's voice had that rare emotional truth that really reached out and grabbed me.

With the purchase of the 4-disc "Patsy Cline Collection," I was in Patsy hog heaven. I listened to her morning, noon, and night.

One of Patsy's first big hits was, "Walkin' After Midnight." One of my fondest memories is being in Fairmount, Indiana, at James Dean's burial site, dancing to this Patsy tune as it played through the speakers of my car's stereo. Talk about carefree days!



Although I prefer the album version, this youtube clip can give you a pretty good idea of her crossover appeal.



The Cline (as she referred to herself) was more than just a hick country singer from Winchester, Virginia. She was able to transcend genres and pull the hell out of your heartstrings no matter what your favorite type of music was. She was the real thing.



The song she is probably best known for is, "Crazy," written by Willie Nelson. If you are questioning the odd looking headband that she is wearing, it was used to help cover up the huge scars she had from a 1961 car accident that occurred not long before this was shot.



As Patsy got older, she began to slim down, tossing out the fringe and boots and replacing them with form fitting dresses and high heels. The curls remained in front to cover up her scars.



It is somewhat ironic that her classic, "I Fall To Pieces," was released at the same time as her car accident. Talk about a foretelling title.





A week before she was killed in a tragic plane crash, she was talking to The Jordanaires' bass singer, Ray Walker, as she exited the Grand Ole Opry: "Honey, I've had two bad ones (accidents). The third one will either be a charm or it'll kill me." It was an eerie case of foretelling. She had also told close friend Dottie West that she knew she wouldn't live past the age of 30. The photo above is the last known photo taken of her, wearing a knockout white chiffon dress for her show in Kansas City. She looks as if she is ready to join the angels.

Before this post ends, I'd like to share two other favorite Patsy songs. "Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray":



and the last one, "Leavin' On Your Mind." Not the best song to listen to if you have recently been dumped!



If you've never experienced the voice of The Cline, I suggest you do so. Pour a glass of wine, light some candles, and sit back while her voice takes you to places you've never been.

See more vintage & current Movie & TV personality photos from my collection on my main website.