But the Queen needed a castle, and she found her dream home on Nella Drive in Goodlettsville, TN.
courtesy Jimmy Walker
Patsy Cline's dream home on Nella Drive in Goodlettsville, TN
"I just love this house, Hoss. I
waited so damn long. Now I have something that's made the waiting worth it.
This is my blood, sweat and tears!"1
(to Dottie West)
Then on June 15, 1962, Patsy and a number of other stars performed at the Hollywood Bowl, followed by a tour across the southwest. The following month, Patsy, Dottie, Sonny James, and Webb Pierce flew down to Deland, FL to appear in a C&W version of a rock-and-roll-style film. Although several reels were shot, production was halted when a producer ran off with the money (so what else is new).
During her travels, Patsy befriended many of her fans. Anne Armstrong recalls Patsy's unpretentiousness:
"I don't care, as long as that little ole
thing got four wheels on it, I'll go."4
(referring to
Anne's humble car)
Patsy happily welcomed Anne and the gang to her hotel room, where she held up a red nightie:
"Look what good-time Charlie gave me in case of fire!"4
Always eager to mingle and dine with her fans, there was invariably one concern on Patsy's mind at any restaurant: the jukebox:
"Go over and see if they got Cline on that thing!"4
courtesy Johnny Franklin/Hallway
Productions
Patsy Cline in the studio
"If I don't say it, don't believe
it."4
(addressing gossip
about herself)
On August 6, 1962, Patsy's third album, "Sentimentally Yours," was released. A country legend and a pop diva; who could ask for more? But Patsy was having premonitions again.
"I'll never live to see
thirty."1
(to Dottie West)
Actually, Patsy had a huge 30th birthday celebration on September 8, 1962, combined with a housewarming party. Things were going beautifully: "She's Got You" was her first hit in Britain, so talk began about a European tour. In the meantime, Patsy was booked solid and awards continued to pour in.
"It's so unbelievable! My new house is gonna have wall-to-wall awards! It's wonderful, but what am I gonna do next year?"1
"I've become a captive of my
own ambitions."1
(to fiddle player
Lightnin Chance)
Always good to her friends, Patsy assisted them in their own careers as much as possible, be it advice or gifts of money.
"Hoss, if you can't do it
with feeling ~ don't!"1
(to Dottie West)
"Now, Loretta, when you go
onstage, don't wear anything too low-cut. Leave something to the imagination.
Not alot, but some. Don't go out flauntin things ~ it makes you look cheap.
When you're walkin onstage, let em know you're in charge. And always leave em wantin
more ~ don't ever do an encore."1
(to Loretta Lynn)
"Find one person to sing to
and sing to just that one. Now make each person out there think he or she is that
one and cast a spell over them."4
(to Dottie West)
"You got to let them know
when you're ending a song, Dale."4
(to Dale Turner)
"Don't do that. You
look like you're beating eggs, hoss."4
(admonishing Dale
Turner for keeping time with her hand as she sang)
"I know you're having it hard
and that you're not working. You can use this to pay the rent."4
(in a note to
Dottie West ~ along with a check for $75)
"I can't take it with
me."1
(referring to
money)
"I don't want to get rich.... just live good."4
courtesy MCA
Patsy Cline at the height of her career
Credits: 1-Mark Bego, 2-Trudy Stamper, 3-Joan & Brian Gray,
4-Margaret Jones, 5-Buddy Killen
Copyright © 1998 Patsified! All rights reserved.