Patsy Cline Had a Brief Career but a Lasting Impact on Country Music

Patsy Cline dropped out of school and started singing country hits

At 16, Cline dropped out of school to help her mother make ends meet. She worked at a poultry plant and soda shop, among other local businesses, but she also began performing professionally.

After singing on regional radio stations and in contests, she eventually chose to begin using the first name “Patsy” as a stage name. Cline was the last name of her first husband, Gerald, whom she married in 1953. Thus, she became Patsy Cline.

Following her debut on the stage that makes country superstars — the Grand Ole Opry — in 1955, her star began to rise quickly. In 1957, she performed “Walkin’ After Midnight” on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and won.

Soon after, she divorced Cline — a notably controversial decision to some audiences in the ‘50s — and later married her second husband, Charles Dick. They eventually had two children in 1958 and 1961.