Patsy Cline: Walkin' After Midnight

♪♪ -Next on "Great Performances"... -♪ I'm back in baby's arms ♪ -From the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, a tribute to music legend Patsy Cline.

-♪ Crazy ♪ ♪ I'm crazy for feelin' so lonely ♪ -Her timeless expressions of love and loss span the genres of country... -♪ When I know I'm losing you ♪ -...rock and roll... -♪ Too many secrets from me ♪ -...gospel... -♪ Let it be ♪ -...and pop.

-♪ I go out walkin' after midnight ♪ -Get ready for an all-star lineup.

"Patsy Cline: Walkin' After Midnight" is next.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you so much!

♪♪ Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... ...and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

- ♪ I go out walkin' ♪ -She holds an iconic place in the tapestry of American music.

-♪ After midnight ♪ -Her voice powerful, sweet, and haunting.

-♪ Out in the moonlight ♪ ♪ Just like we used to do ♪ -Patsy Cline transcends generations and boundaries.

-♪ I'm always walkin' after midnight ♪ ♪ Searchin' for you ♪ -Tonight we celebrate her spirit and legacy.

-Now tell us, Mrs. Hensley, whom did you bring?

-Well, I brought a young girl from Virginia, who is on Decca Records... Miss Patsy Cline.

-What's the name of her song?

-"Walking After Midnight."

[ Cheers and applause ] -Ladies and gentlemen, Mickey Guyton.

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ I go out walkin' ♪ ♪ After midnight ♪ ♪ Out in the moonlight ♪ ♪ Just like we used to do ♪ ♪ I'm always walkin' after midnight ♪ ♪ Searchin' for you ♪ Hey!

♪ I go for miles ♪ ♪ Along the highway ♪ ♪ Well, that's just my way ♪ ♪ Of saying I love you ♪ ♪ I'm always walkin' after midnight ♪ ♪ Searchin' for you ♪ ♪ I stop to see a weepin' willow ♪ ♪ Cryin' on his pillow ♪ ♪ Maybe he's cryin' for me ♪ ♪ And as the skies turn gloomy ♪ ♪ Night winds whisper to me ♪ ♪ I'm lonesome as I can be ♪ ♪ I go out walkin' ♪ ♪ After midnight ♪ ♪ Out in the starlight ♪ ♪ Just a-hopin' you may be ♪ ♪ Somewhere a-walkin' after midnight ♪ ♪ Searchin' for me ♪ Hey!

[ Audience cheers ] ♪♪ Now let's break it down.

Come on, Nashville!

Come on with me.

[ Audience cheers ] If you're excited about celebrating Patsy Cline, say yeah.

-Yeah!

-Yeah!

-Now, I just want to say something really quick.

As a woman in 2024, I ain't walkin' after midnight for nobody.

[ Laughter ] And I mean nobody.

Hey!

♪ Oh, I stop to see a weepin' willow ♪ ♪ Cryin' on his pillow ♪ ♪ Maybe he's cryin' for me ♪ ♪ And as the signs turn gloomy ♪ ♪ Night winds whisper to me ♪ ♪ I'm lonesome as I can be ♪ ♪ Oh, I go out walkin' ♪ ♪ After midnight ♪ ♪ Out in the starlight ♪ ♪ Just a-hopin' you may be ♪ ♪ Somewhere a-walkin after midnight ♪ ♪ Searchin' for me ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so much!

[ Cheers and applause ] -Now, Tami Neilson.

-Thank you, Patsy.

This is for you.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -[ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ -♪ Two cigarettes in an ashtray ♪ ♪ My love and I, in a small café ♪ ♪ Then a stranger came along ♪ ♪ Everything went wrong ♪ ♪ Now there's three cigarettes in the ashtray ♪ -♪ In the ashtray ♪ -♪ I watched her take him from me ♪ ♪ And his love is no longer my own ♪ ♪ Now they are gone ♪ ♪ And I sit alone ♪ ♪ And watch one cigarette burn away ♪ ♪ I watched her take him from me ♪ ♪ And his love is no longer my own ♪ ♪ Now they are gone ♪ ♪ And I sit alone ♪ ♪ And watch one cigarette ♪ ♪ Burn away ♪ ♪ Burn away ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome Crystal Gayle.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you.

And I'm so honored to be here tonight.

-♪ Always, always ♪ ♪ Always ♪ -♪ I'll be loving you ♪ ♪ Always ♪ ♪♪ ♪ With a love that's true ♪ ♪ Always ♪ ♪♪ ♪ When the things you plan ♪ ♪ Need a helping hand ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I will understand ♪ ♪ Always ♪ ♪ Always ♪ ♪ Days may not be fair ♪ ♪ Always ♪ - ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ -♪ That's when I'll be there ♪ ♪ Always ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Not for just an hour ♪ ♪ Not for just a day ♪ ♪ Not for just a year ♪ ♪ But always ♪ -[ Vocalizing ] - ♪ Days may not be fair ♪ ♪ Always ♪ -♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ ♪ That's when I'll be there ♪ ♪ Always, always ♪ ♪ Not for just an hour ♪ ♪ Not for just a day ♪ ♪ And not for just a year ♪ ♪ But always ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -[ Vocalizing ] -♪ Always ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you!

-Welcome to the stage Rita Wilson.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you so much.

I am from Hollywood, California, and I have to thank AM radio for introducing me to my love of country music.

[ Cheers and applause ] Back in the day, we didn't have genres of things that were in separate channels that you would have to listen to.

We would listen to everything on the AM radio, and that's how I got to be familiar with the music of Patsy Cline.

[ Cheers and applause ] There she was with the Beatles, with the Beach Boys, with Diana Ross and the Supremes, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline.

[ Cheers and applause ] This is a song that I wrote with another one of the performers tonight that you'll meet, Annie Bosko, and it's called "Big City Small Town Girl."

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ I'm Southern, Southern California ♪ ♪ I was born in L.A., it'll always be my home ♪ ♪ I can't deny I got another side ♪ ♪ My wheels keep turning and I'll never stop yearning ♪ ♪ For an open road ♪ ♪ Cruising PCH to Interstate Forty-y-y-y-yy ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-ee ♪ ♪ I got both city lights and fireflies in me-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ Me-e-e-e-e, yeah ♪ ♪ Who says you can't be country ♪ ♪ A little pop and rock and roll?

♪ ♪ Oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ T-shirt and bare feet ♪ ♪ Or I can be heels and pearls ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ I was raised blue collar, a bartender's daughter ♪ ♪ He said you gotta work hard to make it in this town ♪ ♪ Mom made my prom dress, I felt like a princess ♪ ♪ Even more than I do in these designer gowns ♪ ♪ Through my orange trees ♪ ♪ I could see the Hollywood si-i-i-i-gn ♪ ♪ I-i-i-i-gn ♪ ♪ And hear my parents playing ♪ ♪ The Beatles and Patsy Cli-i-i-i-ne ♪ ♪ I-i-i-i-ne, yeah ♪ ♪ Who says you can't be country ♪ ♪ A little pop and rock and roll?

♪ ♪ Oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ T-shirt and bare feet ♪ ♪ Or I can be heels and pearls ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I know that I might be in this high rise ♪ ♪ But my heart is out in that wide-open space ♪ ♪ Wherever I go, freeways to back roads ♪ ♪ I know I'm never gonna change ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Oh, whoa, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh ♪ ♪ Who says you can't be country ♪ ♪ A little pop and rock and roll?

♪ ♪ Oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ T-shirt and bare feet ♪ ♪ Or I can be heels and pearls ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Big city small town girl ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

-She said, um, "You recorded a song, and, uh, and I was wondering, did you record it to release it?"

Well, I was blown away that -- that Patsy knew that I had recorded that song.

She hadn't been around when I did it, and I'd only done it like a week before.

And I said, "Yes, I did, and as far as I know, they plan to release it as a single record."

And, uh, she said, "Well, they sent me your record to learn and they want me to record it."

Well, it broke my heart.

I mean, all of a sudden, I wasn't that important.

And it really crushed me.

Boy, I can...

I still have that feeling when I think about it.

I'm sitting there in this payphone booth.

And when I finally got my, uh, my wits about me, I said, "Well, Patsy, I guess that's the way it is.

Go ahead and record it.

It won't bother me if that's the way they want to do."

And she says, "No, Hoss."

She said, "If they want somebody to record it, they'll get somebody else, because I don't play that way."

And that was the moment that I thought -- that I found out what all there was to Patsy Cline.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Here's Reyna Roberts.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪ Oh, what a crazy world we're living in ♪ ♪ True love has no chance to win ♪ ♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪ I ask you, what chance have I ♪ ♪ When each love I meet just makes me cry?

♪ ♪ He loves a while then says goodbye ♪ ♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪♪ ♪ To be true to one alone ♪ ♪ Don't seem to matter anymore ♪ ♪ They tell you you're out of style ♪ ♪ Unless you had three or four ♪ ♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪ Oh, what a crazy world we're living in ♪ ♪ True love had no chance to win ♪ ♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ To be true to one alone ♪ ♪ Don't seem to matter anymore ♪ ♪ They tell you you're out of style ♪ ♪ Unless you've had three or four ♪ ♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪ Oh, what a crazy world we're living in ♪ ♪ True love has no chance to win ♪ ♪ I've loved and lost again ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome Beverly D'Angelo.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Alright, everybody, you see that?

That's me playing Patsy Cline at age 27.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm now 72.

[ Cheers and applause ] I haven't been singing for a long time.

Playing Patsy changed my life.

That catapulted me into the world of acting.

And I didn't really look back.

And I've been so darn nervous about tonight 'cause I haven't sung for so long.

But it was 45 years ago that I stood right here on this very stage, 45 years ago and sang, uh, ♪ Sweet dreams of you ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] That was a song that was Patsy's in that era of polish, when Owen Bradley said, you know, come on along, and he kind of widened her scope.

And, but before that, he told me when I was working on "Coal Miner's Daughter" and the soundtrack, he said, you know, all she wanted to do was growl and honky-tonk and be a honky-tonk singer.

So I'm going to take you back to those days with a song we're going to do.

It's called "Too Many Secrets."

And you guys can -- you can kick it off.

-One, two, a-one, two, three!

♪♪ ♪ Last night I met a woman, you'll recognize her name ♪ ♪ Who in our conversation, told me she was your old flame ♪ ♪ Well, I didn't want to listen, but as she told me more ♪ ♪ I learned more about you than I ever knew before ♪ ♪ You're keeping too many secrets from me ♪ ♪ But, baby, now I'm wise to you ♪ ♪ You'll fool me like the others ♪ ♪ And I know what you'll do ♪ ♪ You'll find yourself a new love ♪ ♪ And keep me a secret, too ♪ [ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ ♪ Well, I walked up to a counter ♪ ♪ To buy some cigarettes ♪ ♪ and standing right before me was a gal I'd never met ♪ ♪ Well, she pulled out her wallet ♪ ♪ And much to my surprise ♪ ♪ There she held your picture, baby ♪ ♪ Right before my eyes ♪ ♪ You're keeping too many secrets from me ♪ ♪ But, baby, now I'm wise to you ♪ ♪ You fooled me like the others ♪ ♪ And you know what I'll do?

♪ ♪ I'll find myself a true love and keep you a secret, too ♪ Come on, now!

♪ Too many secrets from me ♪ ♪ But, baby, now I'm wise to you ♪ ♪ You fooled me like the others ♪ ♪ And you know what I'll do?

♪ ♪ I'll find myself a new love and keep you a secret, too ♪ ♪ I said I'll find myself a new love ♪ ♪ And keep you a secret, too ♪ [ Vocalizing ] [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

Thank you so much.

[ Cheers and applause ] -When I got out of the Army, Patsy was getting an allotment check of $137 a month.

Well, the first -- I got out a month early, and the first month after I got out, she still got the check.

So we didn't think nothing about it till, you know, when we first started getting it, it started a month late or whatever.

So we spent it.

And, but then a next check came.

So we ended up, we got, including the one we spent, we had seven checks.

Well, after the first one, we didn't spend them 'cause we knew damn well they didn't -- they weren't ours.

And then when we decided we was gonna move to Nashville, we ran to the bank and cashed all of 'em at one time and took off.

And that was the money that we came to Nashville on.

-Welcome to the stage Grace Potter.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Are you ready to get strange with me?

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -[ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ -♪ Strange ♪ ♪ How you stopped loving me ♪ ♪ How you stopped needing me ♪ ♪ When she came along ♪ ♪ How strange ♪ ♪Strange ♪ ♪ You changed like night and day ♪ ♪ Just upped and walked away ♪ ♪ When she came along ♪ ♪ How strange ♪ ♪ Well, I guess that I was just your puppet ♪ ♪ You held on a string ♪ ♪ To think you thought I really loved you ♪ ♪ But look what love can bring ♪ ♪ Oh, strange ♪ ♪ You're still in all my dreams ♪ ♪ Oh, what a funny thing ♪ ♪ I still care for you ♪ ♪ Oh, how strange ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, I guess that I was just your puppet ♪ ♪ You held on a string ♪ ♪ To think I thought you really loved me ♪ ♪ But look what love can bring ♪ ♪ Oh, strange ♪ ♪ You're still in all my dreams ♪ ♪ Oh, what a funny thing ♪ ♪ I still care for you ♪ ♪ Oh, how strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ ♪ How strange ♪ ♪ How strange ♪ -♪ How strange ♪ ♪ How strange ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -I did a tour with her.

I never will forget.

I was in the dressing room and I was writing... on, uh, I guess a paper towel... Best I remember, I think that's what it was.

And I had my old guitar and I was doing a little thing called ♪ I been so wrong.

♪ And I heard her voice.

She said, "Perkins, whose song is that?"

I said, "It's mine."

She said, "No, it ain't -- it's mine.

I love that melody."

-And I said, "Carl, do you mind if I, if I, if I work on it a little bit, you know, see what I can, I can do with it?"

It needed something, and Owen was a pretty good, pretty good judge of material.

And so was Patsy.

Not only could she sing, she could pick the hits, too.

-Here's Pam Tillis.

[ Cheers and applause ] -That was my dad.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I've been so wrong ♪ ♪ For so long ♪ ♪ Thought I could live without the love that you give ♪ ♪ I was wrong ♪ ♪ Oh, so wrong ♪ ♪ I've been so wrong ♪ ♪ For so long ♪ ♪ I didn't know that I loved you so ♪ ♪ I was wrong ♪ ♪ Well, I never knew ♪ ♪ I could want you, darlin' ♪ ♪ Oh, so much ♪ -♪ Ohh ♪ -♪ Now that you're gone ♪ ♪ I dream of you and your sweet touch ♪ ♪ I was so wrong ♪ ♪ For so long ♪ ♪ But I've seen the light ♪ ♪ Darling, I'll make it right ♪ ♪ I was wrong ♪ -♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ Well, now I never knew ♪ ♪ I could want you, darlin' ♪ ♪ Oh, so much ♪ ♪ Now that you're gone ♪ ♪ I dream of you and your sweet touch ♪ ♪ I was so, so wrong ♪ ♪ For so long ♪ ♪ Now I've seen the light ♪ ♪ Darling, I'll make it right ♪ ♪I was wrong ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Ladies and gentlemen, Tigirlily Gold.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Tonight, alone, I'm thinking ♪ ♪ Of the things we used to do ♪ ♪ There's laughter all around me ♪ ♪ But my heart still aches for you ♪ ♪ The wedding bells are ringing ♪ ♪ But to me, their chimes are blue ♪ ♪ How can I face tomorrow ♪ ♪ When I know I'm losing you?

♪ ♪ The dreams we shared have all been torn apart ♪ ♪ It's your wedding day ♪ ♪ But I can't claim your heart ♪ ♪ Now someone else will hold you ♪ ♪ Just the way I used to do ♪ ♪ How can I face tomorrow ♪ ♪ When I know I'm losing you?

♪ Come on!

Oh!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ The dreams we shared have all been torn apart ♪ ♪ It's your wedding day ♪ ♪ But I can't claim your heart ♪ ♪ Now someone else will hold you ♪ ♪ Just the way I used to do ♪ ♪ How can I face tomorrow ♪ ♪ When I know I'm losing you?

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you!

-I don't think she ever had any doubt that she was going to sell a million records.

I don't think she had any doubt that those people were going to love her.

But she gave of herself.

-She said to me one day, she says, "Now, this is how -- what they expect, but this is what I do."

You know, she meant that she wanted to please them, but if it didn't please her, she wouldn't do it.

-There was so much feeling there, and in fact, she gave me a... somewhat of I call now a cliché that I will always keep.

She said, "Hoss, if you can't do it with feeling, don't."

-Ladies and gentlemen, Wynonna.

-In my dressing room, there is a beautiful picture of Patsy looking down on me, and over on the side of it, it says she was the original sweet dream.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Sweet dreams of you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Every night I go through ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Why can't I forget you ♪ ♪ And start my life anew ♪ ♪ Instead of having sweet dreams about you?

♪ -♪ Ohh, ohh ♪ -♪ You don't love me ♪ ♪ It's plain ♪ ♪ I should know I'll never wear your ring ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I should hate you ♪ ♪ The whole night through ♪ ♪ Instead of having sweet dreams about you ♪ -♪ Ohh, ohh ♪ -♪ Sweet dreams of you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Things I know can't come true ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Why can't I forget the past ♪ ♪ Start loving someone new ♪ ♪ Instead of having sweet dreams ♪ ♪ About ♪ ♪ You ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Welcome to the stage Ashley McBryde.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ If you've got leavin' on your mind ♪ ♪ Tell me now, get it over ♪ ♪ Hurt me now, get it over ♪ ♪ If you've got leavin' on your mind ♪ ♪ If there's a new love in your heart ♪ ♪ Tell me now, get it over ♪ ♪ Hurt me now, get it over ♪ ♪ If there's a new love in your heart ♪ ♪ Don't leave me here ♪ ♪ In a world filled with dreams ♪ ♪ That might have been ♪ ♪ Hurt me now, get it over ♪ ♪ I may learn to love again ♪ ♪ If there's a new love in your heart ♪ ♪ Tell me now, get it over ♪ ♪ Hurt me now, get it over ♪ ♪ If there's a new love in your heart ♪ ♪ Hurt me now, get it over ♪ ♪ If there's a new love in your heart ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Hank Cochran and I were writing for the same publishing company, and he came by the house one day, and we were having coffee around breakfast time, and he says, "Hey, I got this little song going, you know, and, uh, called 'I Fall to Pieces.'"

He says, "I only got a couple lines," but he said, "I got a little melody started."

And I think he sang me like, uh... ♪ I fall to pieces ♪ ♪ Each time I see you again ♪ I mean, it was... And that was about it.

-And she came in to record.

We now were able to record anything that we felt was a good song.

So that's what we started doing.

And we didn't have this... We had our own stack.

Now we didn't have anybody to blame it on.

And that song that turned out to be lucky was a song that had been turned down by about five or six people.

-She wanted to see Hank Cochran and I.

And she had personally gone out...

It's a bracelet.

Let me see.

It says, "To Harlan, thanks for the hit, Patsy."

I thought, wow, this is nice.

Singers give writers presents when they write them a hit.

And I would like to state that 30 years later, this is the only present that any singer ever gave me except a great recording, you know?

And now I know how special Patsy was.

-Now, Kristin Chenoweth.

[ Cheers and applause ] -So, this is my first time on this stage, and... [ Cheers and applause ] Sorry.

It's a -- it's a true honor.

And, um, you know, I grew up in Oklahoma and singing, singing Broadway and gospel and country.

And I remember the first time I heard "the voice."

And I thought, I said, "Daddy, is she a Broadway singer?"

He said yeah.

I said, "Is she -- but is she a jazz singer?"

He said yeah.

I said, "But is she a gospel singer?"

And he said mm-hmm.

And he said, what she is, is a voice for everyone.

And I learned by listening to her also what a great actress she is.

Yes, there's the cry in the voice, but there's also, she means what she sings.

So I'm going to take a page from Patsy's book and I'm going to go back to when I was 14 years old and Beau Breedlove -- I liked him so much, but... ...he liked Jake, if you know what I mean.

[ Laughter ] Anyway...

I'm going to think about Beau when I sing the song.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I fall to pieces ♪ ♪ Each time I see you again ♪ ♪ I fall to pieces ♪ ♪ How can I be just your friend?

♪ ♪ You want me to act like we've never kissed ♪ ♪ You want me to forget, pretend we've never met ♪ ♪ Well, I've tried and I've tried ♪ ♪ But I haven't yet ♪ ♪ You walk by and I fall to pieces ♪ ♪♪ [ Laughter ] ♪♪ ♪ I fall to pieces ♪ ♪ Each time someone speaks your name ♪ ♪ I fall to pieces ♪ ♪ Time only adds to the flame ♪ ♪ You tell me to find someone else to love ♪ ♪ Someone who loves me too, the way you used to do ♪ ♪ But each time I go out with someone new ♪ ♪ You walk by and I fall to pieces ♪ ♪ You walk by ♪ [ Audience cheers ] -Yeah!

♪ And I fall ♪ ♪ To pieces ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] My husband, Mr. Josh Bryant!

[ Cheers and applause ] -Here's Tiera Kennedy.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ I'm back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ How I missed those loving arms ♪ ♪ I'm back where I belong ♪ ♪ Back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ Don't know why we quarrel ♪ ♪ We never did before ♪ ♪ Since we found out how it hurt ♪ ♪ I bet we never quarrel anymore ♪ ♪ I'm back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ How I miss those loving arms ♪ ♪ I'm back where I belong ♪ ♪ Back in baby's arms ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Thought I didn't need his love ♪ ♪ Till he took it away ♪ ♪ Now I'm back where I belong ♪ ♪ And in my baby's arms I'm gonna stay ♪ ♪ I'm back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ How I miss those loving arms ♪ ♪ I'm back where I belong ♪ ♪ Back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ Back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ Back in baby's arms ♪ ♪ Back in baby's arms ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Ladies and gentlemen, Home Free.

-Are there any fans of The Jordanaires in here?

[ Cheers and applause ] They paved the way for all of today's vocal groups like us.

Not only did they help pioneer contemporary four-part harmony singing, but of course they're responsible for the signature background vocals on over 3,000 recordings, most of which we all know and love.

But I think they made some real magic with Patsy Cline.

Her distinctive country stylings were blended with their southern gospel approach, and the result?

The Nashville sound as we know it.

Tonight, it is our honor to pay tribute to Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires.

[ Cheers and applause ] -[ Vocalizing ] -♪ Seven lonely days ♪ ♪ Seven lonely nights ♪ ♪ Seven lonely days that I cried for you ♪ ♪ Oh, seven lonely days ♪ ♪ Make one lonely week ♪ -♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ -♪ Seven lonely nights make one lonely me ♪ -♪ Oh, baby ♪ -♪ Ever since the time you told me we were through ♪ ♪ Seven lonely days I cried and I cried for you ♪ ♪ Darling, you're crying ♪ -♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ -♪ There's no use in denying I cried for you ♪ -♪ I cried for you ♪ -♪ It was your favorite pastime making me blue ♪ ♪ Last week was the last time I cried for you ♪ ♪ Ooh, yeah ♪ ♪ Seven lonely days ♪ ♪ Seven lonely nights ♪ ♪ Seven lonely days that I cried for you ♪ -Listen up, y'all.

♪ Seven hankies blue ♪ -♪ Hankies blue ♪ -♪ I filled with my tears ♪ -♪ With my tears ♪ -♪ Seven letters, too ♪ -♪ Letters, too ♪ -♪ I filled with my fears ♪ -♪ Oh, baby ♪ ♪ I guess it never pays to make your lover blue ♪ ♪ Seven lonely days I cried and I cried for you ♪ -♪ Oh, take it home now ♪ -♪ Seven lonely days, seven lonely nights ♪ ♪ Seven lonely days that I cried for you ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Now, Annie Bosko.

[ Cheers and applause ] -♪ If you are sincere ♪ ♪ When you say you don't care ♪ ♪ That our love is just a memory ♪ ♪ If the love that we knew ♪ ♪ It won't bother you ♪ ♪ Well, darling, you're stronger than me ♪ [ Audience cheers ] -One, two, three!

-♪ For if still loving you means I'm weak ♪ ♪ Then I'm weak ♪ ♪ For I still fall apart when we speak ♪ ♪ Or we meet ♪ ♪ If the love that we knew ♪ ♪ Won't bother you ♪ ♪ Darlin', you're stronger than me ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ If you can have fun ♪ ♪ With some other one ♪ ♪ With no thought of what used to be ♪ ♪ If it's easy to say ♪ ♪ That it's better this way ♪ ♪ Darlin', you're stronger than me ♪ ♪ For if still loving you means I'm weak ♪ ♪ Then I'm weak ♪ ♪ For I still fall apart where we speak ♪ ♪ Or we meet ♪ ♪ If the love that we knew ♪ ♪ It won't bother you ♪ ♪ Darlin', you're stronger than me ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so much.

Thank you.

-Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Kellie Pickler.

[ Cheers and applause ] -How're we doing tonight, y'all?

[ Cheers and applause ] -Whoo!

-Whoo-whoo!

-Whoo-hoo-hoo right back at you.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was not incredibly nervous right now.

It's been the first time I've been up onstage in a while.

Um... [ Cheers and applause ] I will say that I am incredibly honored to be a part of honoring Ms.

Patsy Cline.

She is a huge reason why I fell in love with music.

And -- Ah!

My husband and I actually wrote this song together, gosh, over a decade ago.

The last time I was here in the Ryman Auditorium was with him on a date night.

And I know he is here with us tonight.

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank y'all so much for having me.

Thank y'all.

Alright.

Gonna do the best I can.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Sometimes I cry at night ♪ ♪ I fall to pieces with Patsy Cline ♪ ♪ Man, I miss songs like that ♪ ♪ But that's just the woman I am ♪ ♪ I like my coffee black ♪ ♪ Three ice cubes in my Jack ♪ ♪ Daddy taught me how to drink like a man ♪ ♪ But that's just the woman I am ♪ ♪ I'm stubborn and proud ♪ ♪ And get loud with a beer in my hand ♪ ♪ Sometimes I cuss too much ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't give a damn ♪ ♪ That's the woman I am ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I can paint the perfect disguise ♪ ♪ Hide the pain behind my eyes ♪ ♪ 'Cause sometimes I can't get past the past ♪ ♪ That made me the woman I am ♪ ♪ I'm stubborn and proud ♪ ♪ And get loud with a beer in my hand ♪ ♪ Sometimes I cuss too much ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't give a damn ♪ ♪ That's the woman I am ♪ ♪ That's the woman I am ♪ ♪ Sometimes I cry at night ♪ ♪ I fall to pieces with Patsy Cline ♪ ♪ Man, I miss songs like that ♪ ♪ But that's just the woman I am ♪ ♪ I miss songs like that ♪ ♪ But that's just the woman I am ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Much love to Ms.

Patsy Cline.

-Welcome to the stage The Isaacs.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ -♪ See the pyramids along the Nile ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ Watch the sunrise on a tropic isle ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ Just remember, darling, all the while ♪ ♪ You belong to me ♪ ♪ See the marketplace in old Algiers ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ Send me photographs and souvenirs ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ ♪ Just remember, when a dream appears ♪ ♪ You belong to me ♪ ♪ I'll be so alone without you ♪ ♪ Maybe you'll be lonesome too ♪ ♪ And blue ♪ ♪ Fly the ocean in a silver plane ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ See the jungle when it's wet with the rain ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ Just remember till you're home again ♪ ♪ You belong to me ♪ ♪ I'll be so alone without you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Maybe you'll be lonesome too ♪ ♪ And blue ♪ ♪ Fly the ocean in a silver plane ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ See the jungle when it's wet with rain ♪ -♪ Bum-ba-ba-bum ♪ -♪ Just remember till you're home again ♪ ♪ You belong ♪ ♪ To me ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -You know, if you was looking for her, you'd find what table she's at, you'd just start looking around and you'd hear her laugh.

'Cause she was -- she'd laugh pretty loud, you know.

-She could lay a four-letter word on you if you got in her way or gave her a hard time or upset her.

-She'd be the type of person that, she could -- with five, six guys sitting here, you know, she'd feel right at home sitting right down with them.

Have a beer with you and tell a joke.

I mean, she wouldn't get offended.

Matter of fact, sometimes she'd probably come up with a better joke when you did.

-Ladies and gentlemen, Natalie Grant.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ I am weak ♪ ♪ But Thou art strong ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Jesus keep me from all wrong ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'll be satisfied as long ♪ ♪ As I walk ♪ ♪ Let me walk close to Thee ♪ [ Audience cheers ] ♪ Just a closer walk with Thee ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Grant it, Jesus, is my plea ♪ ♪ Daily walking close to Thee ♪ ♪ Oh, yes ♪ ♪ Oh, let it be ♪ ♪ Dear Lord, let it be ♪ ♪♪ ♪ When my feeble life is o'er ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Time for me will be no more ♪ ♪ Oh, guide me gently, safely o'er ♪ ♪ To Thy kingdom's shore ♪ ♪ To Thy shore ♪ ♪ Whoa, just a closer walk with Thee ♪ ♪ Oh, yes ♪ ♪ Oh, grant it, Jesus, is my plea ♪ ♪ Oh, daily walking ♪ ♪ Close to Thee ♪ ♪ Let it be, dear Lord ♪ ♪ Let it be ♪ ♪ Let it be, dear Lord ♪ ♪ Let it ♪ ♪ Be ♪ ♪ Be ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome Mandy Barnett.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Oh, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Patsy's had a profound impact on my life.

Portraying her on this very stage in "Always...Patsy Cline," where she had performed so many times, it allowed me to immerse myself in her world night after night, performing the role hundreds of times.

It was an honor that has enriched my understanding of who she is as a person, and it is truly enriched my life.

And I'm so glad to be here tonight.

I'm going to sing a song for you that was written by the great Hank Cochran.

Here's "Why Can't He Be You?"

-One, two, one, two!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ He takes me to the places you and I used to go ♪ ♪ He tells me over and over that he loves me so ♪ ♪ He gives me love ♪ ♪ That I never got from you ♪ ♪ He loves me too ♪ ♪ His love is true ♪ ♪ Why can't he be you?

♪ ♪ He never fails ♪ ♪ To call and tell me I'm on his mind ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And I'm lucky to have such a guy ♪ ♪ I hear it all the time ♪ ♪ And he does all the things that you would never do ♪ ♪ He loves me too ♪ ♪ His love is true ♪ ♪ Why can't he be you?

♪ ♪ He's not the one who dominates ♪ ♪ My mind and soul ♪ ♪ And I should love him so ♪ ♪ 'Cause he loves me, I know ♪ ♪ But his kisses leave me cold ♪ ♪ He sends me flowers, calls on the hour ♪ ♪ Just to prove his love ♪ ♪ And my friends say when he's around ♪ ♪ I'm all he speaks of ♪ ♪ And he does all the things ♪ ♪ That you would never do ♪ ♪ He loves me too ♪ ♪ His love is true ♪ ♪ Why can't he be you?

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Here's Rita Wilson.

-[ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ -♪ I've got your picture ♪ ♪ That you gave to me ♪ ♪ And it's signed with love ♪ ♪ Just like it used to be ♪ ♪ The only thing different ♪ ♪ The only thing new ♪ ♪ I've got your picture ♪ ♪ She's got you ♪ ♪ I've got the records ♪ ♪ That we used to share ♪ ♪ And they still sound the same ♪ ♪ As when you were here ♪ ♪ The only thing different ♪ ♪ The only thing new ♪ ♪ I've got the records ♪ ♪ She's got you ♪ ♪ I've got your memory ♪ ♪ Or, has it got me?

♪ ♪ I really don't know ♪ ♪ But I know it won't let me be ♪ ♪ I've got your class ring ♪ ♪ That proved you cared ♪ ♪ And it still looks the same ♪ ♪ As when you gave it, dear ♪ ♪ The only thing different ♪ ♪ The only thing new ♪ ♪ I've got these little things ♪ ♪ She's got you ♪ ♪ I've got your memory ♪ ♪ Or, has it got me?

♪ ♪ I really don't know ♪ ♪ But I know it won't let me be ♪ ♪ I've got your class ring ♪ ♪ That proved you cared ♪ ♪ And it still looks the same ♪ ♪ As when you gave it, dear ♪ ♪ The only thing different ♪ ♪ The only thing new ♪ ♪ I've got these little things ♪ ♪ She's got you ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughs ] Home Free!

[ Cheers and applause ] -"Dear Anne, I had a wonderful convention.

And the jewel of all -- some son of a bitch stole my beautiful black fox fur trimmed collar and cuffs coat that I paid $350 for last year.

And there isn't another one of its kind.

Stole it at the damn convention off the coat rack while I was just inside the door of the Decca cocktail party.

Whoever it was, I hope it chokes them to death before sunup.

I put two private dicks and my Mr. Dick on it, and they looked and watched all night, but still no coat.

If I see anybody with it on, I'm gonna take blood, ass, and all."

[ Laughter ] -Welcome to the stage Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Well, hey.

[ Laughs ] What a night!

We are so thrilled, Spyder and I, Neil and I are so happy to be here and celebrate the original badass.

[ Cheers and applause ] That's why we picked this next song.

-That's exactly right.

All right!

Yeah!

-One, two, three!

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Imagine me still loving you ♪ ♪ After all you put me through ♪ ♪ Well, I can't help it, I just do ♪ ♪ Imagine that ♪ And that's not the half.

♪ Imagine this if you can ♪ ♪ I've stood more, more than I should stand ♪ ♪ But I'd take you back again ♪ ♪ Imagine that ♪ ♪ Ain't that a laugh?

♪ ♪ Can you believe I'd swallow my pride?

♪ ♪ Oh, yes ♪ ♪ Oh, I guess you can ♪ ♪ 'Cause you know you've always had my foolish heart ♪ ♪ Right in the palm of your hand ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ ♪ So for what it's worth to you ♪ ♪ It just don't matter what you might do ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm still waiting and loving you ♪ ♪ Imagine that ♪ ♪ Ain't that a laugh?

♪ ♪ Can you believe that I'd swallow my pride?

♪ ♪ Well, yes, yes, I think you can ♪ ♪ 'Cause you know you've always had my foolish heart ♪ ♪ Right in the palm of your hand ♪ ♪ Ohh ♪ ♪ So for what it's worth to you ♪ ♪ It just don't matter what you might do ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm still waiting and loving you ♪ ♪ Imagine that ♪ [ Laughs ] ♪ Ain't that a laugh?

♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Patsy Cline loved The Grand Ole Opry and she loved the people there.

And I know she and I both have stood backstage and talked about, as we'd be waiting in the wings to go on to do our song, we would talk about that special spot in front of that mic, the center mic, the Hank Williams and the Red Foleys and all the people that had stood there, you know, and sang.

And we would talk about that.

-I don't recall the actual night of becoming a regular member.

She'd been on so much, but I know within her it was a big night because Patsy, she'd rather have that than she would a hit record, or, you know, or the Godfrey Show or the Hollywood Bowl, which she performed, or the, uh, Carnegie Hall.

I don't think any of them meant anything compared to what the Opry did.

-Now, Wynonna.

-This is it.

[ Cheers and applause ] It does not get any better than this.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Crazy ♪ ♪ I'm crazy for feeling so lonely ♪ ♪ I'm crazy ♪ ♪ Crazy for feeling so blue ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I knew ♪ ♪ You'd love me as long as you wanted ♪ ♪ And then someday ♪ ♪ You'd leave me for somebody new ♪ Here we go!

♪ Worry ♪ ♪ Why do I let myself worry?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ Wonderin' ♪ ♪ What in the world did I do?

♪ ♪ Oh, crazy ♪ ♪ For thinking that my love could hold you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying ♪ ♪ And I'm crazy for loving you ♪ ♪ Crazy ♪ ♪ For thinking that my love could hold you ♪ ♪ I'm crazy for trying and I'm crazy for crying ♪ ♪ And I'm crazy for loving ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -♪ After midnight, out in the moonlight ♪ ♪ Just hopin' you may be... ♪ -To find out more about this and other "Great Performances" programs, visit pbs.org/greatperformances.

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♪♪ -♪ I stop to see a weepin' willow ♪ ♪ Cryin' on his pillow ♪ ♪ Maybe he's cryin' for me ♪ ♪ And as the skies turn gloomy ♪ ♪ Night winds whisper to me ♪ ♪ I'm lonesome as I can be ♪ ♪ I go out walkin' after midnight ♪ ♪ Out in the moonlight ♪ ♪ Just hoping you may be ♪ ♪ Searchin' for me ♪ ♪♪