Becoming Patsy Cline

Perhaps the most important moment in Patsy Cline's career was her appearance on the Arthur Godfrey show. Redmon created an animation using authentic photos, video clips, and the surviving audio from Patsy's appearance on the Godfrey show. The video features an interview with her mother Hilda as well as the performance by Patsy Cline that lead to her success as a country music star.
About the exhibit:
The Becoming Patsy Cline exhibit tells the story of Virginia "Ginny" Patterson Hensley before she became music icon Patsy Cline, one of the Shenandoah Valley's most globally recognized personalities. Redmon designed A/V hardware systems and presentations that help detail the singer's forays into amateur talent shows, her efforts to become a pop singer, and eventual transformation into a country music star.
Learn more about this exhibit here:
www.redmon.com/...

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

This is a great CLEAR audio of this. Patsy and her mom sounded so much alike.

[@damionhamilton6186]

Meade Music yes they did.

[@OldDogNewTrick]

I was 16 years old on January 21, 1957. Missed seeing this then, but very happy to see it now for the first time in December 2019. Of course, I heard her on the radio shortly after this broadcast and she became my all time favorite female singer since then. Amazing how good she sounded even in her early days.

[@redlinemando]

I think Arthur Godfrey may have indeed suspected that Hilda was Patsy's mother. The tone in some of his questions hints to his suspicion. Her vocals on this performance were spectacular & very compelling!!!!!!! The instrumental accompaniment was even better than the recorded version!!!!!!!

[@kristatrenary]

I think he knew too

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

If so, it wasn't fair to the other contestants. Also, the man that won was Jerry , the other singer who got the longest and loudest applause (the audiences' favorite), but then Arthur Godfrey announced Patsy as the winner- it seemed rigged like today's shows. I still like Patsy Cline and her music, though.

[@johnschuh8616]

People have forgotten how big Godfrey was in the ‘50s. This was a major boost.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

Sure wish I'd get my break. I have written over 200 songs.

[@johnschuh8616]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic If you have talent, the odds are that you will. All the same, it is only too true that the competition is so great and the business so cutthroat that it is a tough row to plow.

[@tudormiller8898]

Gorgeous voice. Watching from London UK.

[@libertyann439]

Great arrangement of this song. And wonderful to see this!

[@lindavarnadore2686]

SOOO very sweet!! love that song!!! miss what you could have been Mrs Cline!!!!! Blessings to your daughter and son!!!!

[@hohaia01]

So obvious she was a 1 in a billion talent even back then.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

She didn't win it that night

[@kristatrenary]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusicOn this video she won Didn’t you listen to it ? The grand prize was several appearances on the show. Why do you make comments that aren’t true? Is it because no one knows who you are or even were ?

[@duggydugg3937]

the fabulous Ginny Hensley. mom , Hilda ,carried off the agent gig flawlessly

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

Yup, nothing like lying on an also rigged contest.

[@kristatrenary]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic I’ve seen numerous comments from you about Patsy. They are nasty and rude. Explains why you are a Never Was and a Never Will Be Try to better in life Or you’ll never make it

[@kerryincolumbus]

EXCELLENT VIDEO !!! Loved every second of it! I had no idea such a thing even existed, and now to watch it and listen to her win, it's amazing and awe-inspiring!

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

she didn't really win

[@sunburypennsylvania8322]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusicgodfrey said she won ,

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@sunburypennsylvania8322 yes he said that.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

Winchester, VA- is like the northern most "Southern" town. When you cross the Mason Dixon line. It's a Southern city, but that area is changing, and especially the Northern Virginia area. When Patsy Cline was born, that area of Virginia was still very much "The South"- even on into Fairfax County- lots of Confederate flags, country music, and "good 'ol boys". Washington DC was a sleepy hamlet thought of as a Southern backwater by many and bypassed by New Yorkers for the more sophisticated Palm Springs, FL . Today, that whole area of Northern Virginia is very liberal/progressive and full of carpetbaggers and non Virginians. Nothing like when Patsy was there. She even sang in Lorton, VA, where there was also a place called "Hillbilly Heaven" owned by the father of Donna Dixon of "Bosom Buddies" Tv show fame.

[@communingwithGod]

Yes it still has a long way to go as most of the liberals are in the Northern Virginia not here. There is still " the good old boys" here trust me. I live here. It's bigger but still think the same way.

[@georgefelty6357]

I have been to Winchester, Virginia and visited Patsy Cline’s grave!

[@kristatrenary]

Please Where is it ? I know it’s by the funeral home but not sure exactly where

[@P51Princess]

It was a blessing to see Patsy’s house last year even though it was closed!

[@jameslomenzo1139]

@@kristatrenary it's in Winchester Virginia Shenandoah valley cemetery I grew up with Patsy's family I've been there before, just a little headstone' the grass is wore out where people have walked it over.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@jameslomenzo1139 I just visited it this past Monday and no one was there- and I was surprised how unassuming it was. I left a yellow rose for her.

[@jameslomenzo1139]

@MeadeSkeltonMusic that's really nice of you, I remember her mother saying she loved yellow roses, not red like in the film that Sweet Dreams portrayed.

[@heidi1409741]

this is a treasure.Thanks so much for sharing .Love it !!!

[@adrunkgorillawithalobotomy353]

Hilda's voice sounds so much like Patsy's. I bet her mama could sing, too, but was probably a little more shy than Patsy was. ;-)

[@vernonpennington8896]

A drunk Gorrila, Patsy and her MoMA. Sang Gospel songs around the house. Together .both pretty voices .Patsy never got to see how very Famous she became became .After she die along with her very famous friends on tour with eatch other. Hawk Shaw Hawkins. And Cowboy Copass . And the tour manager manager who had been piloting the plain.All singers great artist the Cowboy Copass and Hawk Shaw Hawkins were famous !For many more Regulars at the Grand Ol Opre .Now they along with. Patsy before Patsy was! Now all are our Gold Shining Stars .Forever to hear the sound of there voices of magic! ho piloted the plain .

[@martinammmm7538]

I never heard Patsy's speaking voice until now. I looked for it and never really found any interviews. She sounds lovely

[@LindaTCornwall]

Why doesn't this have more like? It's so well made with all the images throughout the introduction dialogue, and through the song. Thanks for this great video!

[@vernonpennington8896]

Linda T., Many on here are all mostly young folks . Not many realy have had an interest ! In the real past artist! The greats of country music. Who had real voices with out all the Gadgets to refine not so great singers or cover up bad notes! Or Botox or wearing Skimpy outfits on women. To get the attention off .The mistakes made in singing . Because sexy sells not real True raw talent .God Given God Blessed !So they don't understand if one is purely honestly talented or not ! But these people! Paved the road for new singers! To get their chance to shine ! Patsy's daughter got to see! What Patsy had prayed for! More than any thing ! Her Charlie to quit his lady chasing ! And quit his drinking ! And Hating himself so mutch! Because his Dad killed his self ! Put a gun to his head ! Charlie had never been Abel to talk. To anyone about it ! Perhaps if he could have talked to Patsy things could have been mutch happier in their marriage ! I like to V think ! Patsy can see the changes made .But love for eatch other never died ! Perhaps It's just like the Bibble said .And their holding eatch other ! In heaven watching over their children and ! All their Grand Children !God is good ♥️🥀🙏🎶🎶🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@vernonpennington8896 She didn't win it. It was Jerry Antes who really won that night. I love Patsy Cline, but this is just like American Idol and all the other rigged shows.

[@kellyu765]

@Meade Music…. THATS THE 1ST THING I NOTICED!! THE CLAPPING WAS MUCH LOUDER FOR HIM! ITS ALMOST AS IF HER PATH WAS ALREADY BEING MAPPED OUT FOR HER STARTING THAT NIGHT! LIKE A DEAL OF SOME SORT HAD BEEN CUT BECAUSE IF YOU LISTEN ITS CLEAR TO HEAR THE 2CD CONTESTANT HAD CLEARLY WON THAT NIGHT! I FEEL SO SO BAD FOR HIM THAT HE WAS ROBBED OF HIS WIN!

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@kellyu765 It seems like the shows were rigged back then just as they are now. American Idol, The Voice, etc. nothing really has changed. The audience favorite is never the winner. Patsy was talented, but I don't like how she and her mom used deception to get on the show.

[@vickit.1797]

didn't you hear this ? she won so I guess she was the audience favorite. why do y'all want to make things up that ain't true cuz y'all are nobody that's why​@@MeadeSkeltonMusic

[@gloriarider9688]

I remember watching my Aunt Mercia when she sang on the *"Arthur Godfrey Show!"* I was only about 8 years old at the time- She sang-*"All the Way!"* She did a beautiful job & came in 2nd place!! Seems like it was just yesterday- when I sat in front of the TV to watch her!! *"Patsy Cline!!"*-- Always will love her!! Her career cut short- but her voice will live on FOREVER!!

[@ahartfie]

I have the Discovery! CD that's now out of print, but it was nice to hear in this the competition Patsy was up against.

[@skeeterstanley1272]

ty for sharing she was my number 1 singer and loretta was my second no better music

[@communingwithGod]

Patsy said she loved Winchester VA but didn't like it much here. She said it was alot of gossiping and no one supported her from here. I can believe that.

[@jtoddjb]

there isn't a woman in the top 100 of either the pop or country charts anywhere that can sing like that

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

Really? She sounds a lot like the Pop singers of her Era- very much like Connie Francis or others of her time.

[@williamnelson727]

Virginia Patterson Hensley (Patsy). Thank~You, Art. This was more important than even you could know...

[@jimanderson5883]

There will never be another Patsy. Her voice is once in a universe. No other female singer can match much less surpass Patsy's voice. She could silence the angels out of envy and respect.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

I have a great voice myself

[@kristatrenary]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic Who cares All I see you do is put other performers down

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@kristatrenary I really enjoy Patsy Cline- and she was very nice to her fans. I visited her grave site recently. Patsy is in heaven now with Jesus.

[@charlier4287]

WOW, LOVE HER 💗💗😁💗💗

[@anthonymorgan1974]

Such a shame we can't SEE the performance 😥

[@kmanyguns]

thanks for posting, great to listen to Patsy's reaction, too bad Godfrey didn't chat with Cline a little longer!

[@kylemosh]

@7:41... Does anyone know what stage performance this was? and when? It's really cool to see a video of her in color!

[@jaysilverheals4445]

astonishing that the guy ahead of her antees or whatever his name was got louder yelling and applause than Patsy--but then Godfrey says "you done won this"--when she didnt by the applause at all. yet the great mystery remains that out of all those thousands of people some still alive and even monitoring the Patsy Cline experts on youtube--NOT ONE person can explain nor clarify why Godfrey says you won..

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

That's because Jerry Antes was the audience favorite- and HE DID WIN that night! But just like American Idol, Godfrey's "talent scouts" was rigged. Patsy was already under contract with 4 Star records, and the show was really supposed to be for amateur singers (not signed). She had her mother lie and say she was the "talent scout" (they couldn't be relatives). I can only conclude that they wanted Patsy to promote "Walkin' after midnight" which they knew would be a hit song . This is what happened on American Idol, when the audience actually votes for the winner, but the producers of the show pick who they want. That's the business, I guess. Literally nothing has changed.

[@vernonpennington8896]

JC.Mills , They used applause meters and it went all the way up! And they had a voice meter . That made it more outstanding .They judge it by also . Talent scouts invited to judge in the audiences . They were screaming to record her ! And b book her in every venue that they represented !Just the same as country or star Search shows .And even Popular music like style of Frank Sinatra. Recording studios ! And Rock an Roll. Record promoters all wanted to manage her !I know How that works because .My wife's MoMA used to sing on the WSM radio shows! And worked on the Grand Ol Opre along with Dotty West! ,Gene Sealey ,Norma Gene Beasley. Skeeter, Davis, and Wanda Jackson then girl friend engaged to Elvis Aron Presley ♥️🥀Mary Russell. Was my Mother In-law ! Back then every one sang on the WSM.Radio Station show! And all were high School girls . Loving every minute ! Then all And Wanda Jackson very best b friend to her MoMA .

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@vernonpennington8896 It was rigged just like American Idol. The show was for amatuers, and Patsy was already signed to a record label. They knew Patsy would win, regardless of audience vote. Jerry got the longest applause, but it doesn't matter to these music execs. Walking after midnight was slated to be the next hit for the label. So Patsy won but she also lied and said her mother was her friend. The talent scouts could not be related. I love Patsy Cline, I just hate the falsehood of the industry. But this interesting piece of history shows it was the same back then as it is now. American Idol winners were not the audience favorites either.

[@vernonpennington8896]

I believe that it could be! She had several recordings in studios ! Through her VB teenage years ! Already in music country Archives ! And he was informed by a studio ! That she was a good bet ! And she needed that chance to get to Nashville ! And I think He was also sweet on her singel mother! Wasn't at all wrong ! She became the best femail artist ever ! Lorretta should never had accepted by the Queen of CountryTittel! She hadn't payed her dues. ! Kitty Wells was the first femail sing writer and femail country artist ! More hits than Patsy or any One in music at that time ! Lorretta stoled songs from her mutch younger sister ! Peggy Sue ! She's on Cookies Music ! Married to Kitty Wells son Bobby Write! She gave interview told the true story how she was abused by Lorretta all her life! And how Lorretta lied about all her songs ! Were hers ! Even as a adult Lorretta was abusive selfish after their mom passed Peggy Sue moved in to help out with votes the kids of Lorrettas And Moons! He was still working a job! When Lorretta came home shewas mean to every one! Folks who are not family realy are fooled About how kind and nice Lorretta realy is ! She pushed her sister arround like a dog! Lorretta always spoiled Rotten! As adult same! Lorretta didn't write1 /2 The songs she claimed ! Her Sister Peggy Sue wrote them for her self! She got a bad deal she sounds exactly like Loretta

[@vernonpennington8896]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic My wife and I are both Entertainer's we have a Tribute show to all passing and early artist both Country and 50s And 60s Rocks Billy and Rock an Roll! Great fun and big draw card ! We never inter Contest ! For they always have a Ringer! We've had many gigs offered to us ,! But can't do that gigg ! Not made like that ! My wife is also a song writer I n All jongres In music accept Pop and Blue Grass and Opera ! Her songs are in the 5Star Texas and Nashville Music Achieve ! I Play guitar She writes and backs me up then she also has her own solo's! She's a great Patsy Tribute artist ! Big draw card

[@kellyu765]

SORRY TO SAY AS MUCH AS I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PATSY CLINE SHE DID NOT WIN THAT NIGHT. IF YOU LISTEN VERY CLOSLY WHEN THE AUDIENCE IS CLAPPING FOR EACH CONTESTANT THE CLAPPING FOR CONTESTANT #2 WAS THE CLEAR WINNER THAT NIGHT! THE CLAPPING FOR HIM IS MUCH LOUDER. I FEEL SO BAD FOR HIM BECAUSE HE WAS CLEARLY ROBBED OF HIS WIN. THERE WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING SHADY ABOUT THAT CONTEST. AGAIN I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PATSY CLINE AND ALL HER BEAUTIFUL SONGS AND SHE SANG BEAUTIFULLY THAT NIGHT AS SHE ALWAYS DOES….BUT THE AUDIENCE PICKED CONTESTANT #2….BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THIS CONTEST WAS SET UP FOR HER TO WIN.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

You're not the first! Several others have noted that Jerry Antes was actually the audience favorite. This makes me think the show was rigged, much like today's modern shows like American Idol. The producers pick who will be the "Star" ahead of time.

[@anthonymorgan1974]

The picture at 4:13 is that the Gore house?

[@jerrysmith9315]

The best !

[@wonderwitch9567]

Awesome forver a true heartfelt legendary voice!!! Patsy Cline

[@rorygay9875]

I remember Arthur godfrey but not the show. It always sounded like he had a cold.

[@rachelc.5463]

WTOP òld call letters for locaĺ Washington, D.C. CBS television channel.

[@MikeJones-do1xv]

Godfrey achieved his fame as a popular disc jockey for WTOP Washington before WW2.

[@michaeljohnson3764]

Boy so close! and yet!? so far away! Now that hurt!(Patsy Cline: () house you can still visit!! Now that a blessing! love Patsy rip sweet dreams.