Patsy Cline
September 8, 1932 - March 5, 1963

Traditional
As recorded by Patsy Cline July 3 1959

Patsy started piano lessons at age eight, and this knowledge helped her improve her vocal skills. She was also a featured singer in her church choir at Mt. Hebron Church, and continued to sing with that group through her teenage years.

At the age of sixteen, Wally Fowler of the Grand Ole Opry was starring in a touring show that played the Winchester Palace Theatre. Patsy auditioned for him and won a guest spot on the bill. With his help, her parents helped her go to Nashville to try to get a country music career. Initially she didn't have much luck, and had barely eked out a living as a dancer in small clubs. This discouraged Patsy, and she returned home to Winchester.

Patsy may have been discouraged with her first experience in Nashville, but she still wanted to score a music career, and auditioned and won a chance to appear on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. She chose to sing "Walkin' After Midnight" for her debut on the nationally televised program. The date was January 21, 1957, and her rendition of the classic tune won her an ovation from the studio audience and approval from followers of the program. She won first prize and soon after was given a recording contract with Decca, which released the single of the song. The record became a hit on both country and pop charts, and at the young age of twenty-five, Patsy embarked on the road to stardom.
~Source countrymusic.about.com