PATSY CLINE, (Virginia Patterson Hensley), was born in the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia, on September 8, 1932. Legend has it that she was entertaining her neighbors as early as age 3! Her natural talent and spirit took her to the top of the country charts in 1962, and her style and popularity has never waned.
She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music.
She died on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. After her death, her version of “Sweet Dreams” was released and became a hit. Considered one of country music’s greatest vocalists, Cline was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.
Three of her most popular songs were “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Crazy” (written by a young Willie Nelson).
Listen to “Crazy” below!
Other talented ladies who paved the way to make country music what it is today 👇
Lee Ann Womack NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 24: Lee Ann Womack performs onstage during Skyville Live Presents a Tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis on August 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Skyville) (Rick Diamond)
Taylor Swift LAS VEGAS - MAY 14: Musician Taylor Swift performs onstage during the first ever Academy Of Country Music New Artists' Show Party for a Cause, benefiting the ACM Charitable Fund held at the MGM Grand Ballroom, MGM Grand Conference Center on May 14, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Judds 03/01/00 Tustin, California - Country Music Stars The Judds, Naomi (L) And Wynonna, Share A Hug Before Appearing At A Tustin, California K-Mart Store To Sign Autographs. K-Mart Is Corporate Sponsor Of The Popular Duo. (Photo By David Mcnew/Getty Images) (David McNew/Getty Images)
Jo Dee Messina Jo Dee Messina rehearses for the "2002 Academy of Country Music Awards" at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Ca. on Monday, May 20, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Pam Tillis NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 13: Pam Tillis performs onstage during Skyville Live Salutes the Magic of Music City on July 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images for Skyville) (Frederick Breedon)
Emmylou Harris SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 07: American Musician, Emmylou Harris gives a sneak preview of her Sydney Festival First Night performance at a media call on January 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
The Chicks LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS) (L-R) Musicians Emily Robinson, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire of The Chicks pose backstage at the 2006 American Music Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/AMA/Getty Images for AMA) (Michael Buckner/AMA)
Linda Ronstadt PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 17: Musician Linda Ronstadt accepts the Trailblazer award onstage during the 2008 ALMA Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 17, 2008 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Dolly Parton RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - JANUARY 24: Singer Dolly Parton Performs at Agua Caliente Casino on January 24, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) (Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Trisha Yearwood INDIO, CA - MAY 02: Musician Trisha Yearwood performs onstage during day 1 of the 2008 Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on May 2, 2008 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Tanya Tucker 403701 01: Country singer Tanya Tucker poses backstage April 13, 2002 after her concert at The Orleans in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images) (Scott Harrison/Getty Images)
Martina McBride NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: In this handout photo provided by The Country Rising Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, singer Martina McBride performs onstage for the Country Rising Benefit Concert at Bridgestone Arena on November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images) (John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images)
Carrie Underwood LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Carrie Underwood attends the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcp) (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcp)
LeAnn Rimes MIAMI, FL - JULY 20: LeAnn Rimes attends Luli Fama fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2015 at Cabana Grande at The Raleigh on July 20, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Luli Fama) (Aaron Davidson)
Reba McEntire LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 07: Host Reba McEntire speaks onstage during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kitty Wells November 17, 1965 (photo by Denny Moeller Talent-management/photographer-Fabry, Nashville) (Denny Moeller Talent-management/photographer-Fabry, Nashville)
Crystal Gale NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: Crystal Gayle performs on August 23, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Shania Twain NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Shania Twain performs during the opening ceremony on Day One of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Maren Morris LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: Target Brings Together Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey for a Special New Music Video for their Single The Middle to Air as a Commercial During the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Pictured: Maren Morris (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Target) (Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Target)
Jennifer Nettles NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 03: Jennifer Nettles performs at 2015 "Next Women of Country" Event at City Winery Nashville on November 3, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
Kelsea Ballerini LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Kelsea Ballerini speaks onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp)
Tammy Wynette October 18, 1975 (Photo by Hubert Long/Epic Records) (Hubert Long/Epic Records)
Miranda Lambert NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Miranda Lambert speaks in the press room of the 53rd annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images) (Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images)
Faith Hill LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: Faith Hill performs onstage during the "Soul2Soul" World Tour at Staples Center on July 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Bobbie Gentry American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry in London, UK, May 1968. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Patty Loveless NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 25: Patty Loveless performs during The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Country Music Association Celebrate Forever Country LIVE, presented by Southwest at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 25, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum) (Anna Webber)
Loretta Lynn Portrait of American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn as she sits outside in a chair, 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Alison Krauss NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 22: Singer Alison Krauss performs onstage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Medallion Ceremony to celebrate 2017 hall of fame inductees Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed And Don Schlitz at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum) (Terry Wyatt)
Lynn Anderson American country music singer Lynn Anderson, UK, 21st March 1971. Her song '(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden' was a major pop hit in 1970 and early 1971. (Photo by Jack Kay/Daily Express/Getty Images) (Jack Kay/Getty Images)
Barbara Mandrell Barbara Mandrell received the Academy's Pioneer Award at the 36th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Ca. 5/9/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Patsy Cline Patsy Cline was a celebrated country singer best known for her crossover hits, including "Crazy" and "Walking After Midnight."