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Patsy Cline: In Her Own Words
Patsy Cline’s story — both professional and personal — unfolds in this collection of revealing letters written from 1955-1959 to her friend and first fan club president, Treva Miller. In her own words, Patsy talks of the recording sessions, television appearances and tours, but behind the glamor she writes candidly about having flat tires, not getting paid (even after her big hit “Walkin’ After Midnight”) and what it’s like to be a mother and housewife while building a career as a recording artist.
Few stars have the longevity of Patsy Cline. She died in a plane crash in 1963, yet her voice still moves us, so much so that she consistently appears on the best country artist lists from publications such as Rolling Stone and Billboard. The first edition of this book was published nearly a quarter century ago, and was not offered in ebook or paperback. Since then an entire generation of Americans have become country music fans. We felt this new generation deserved to experience Patsy Cline In Her Own Words. We are pleased to offer it in ebook, paperback and hard cover.
This collection of 48 letters gives us a rare opportunity to glimpse the woman behind the songs. She doesn’t come across as bold and brassy, as some critics have portrayed her. Although she was traditional in her attitudes about family, she was determined to succeed as a recording artist. Against the backdrop of her recording sessions, tours and television appearances she was also a housewife who often did the family cooking, laundry and ironing before going on stage. It didn’t always pay as expected, either. In 1957 she wrote to “Bill McCall still hasn't give me my money on "Walkin." I've got 2 lawyers working on it.”
One can imagine through these letters that Patsy is sitting across the table from her friend, chatting about her job, her loves and everyday life. We get to know Treva through these letters, too. When Treva plans to marry against her mother’s objections, Patsy said, “You are all she has and you are her baby, but then too, all these chickens have to find out about life their own way.”
In September 1960 Treva was killed in an automobile accident. Less than a year after that, Patsy was a passenger in a near fatal, head-on car crash. Two months later, still on crutches, Patsy recorded one of her defining hits, Willie Nelson’s “Crazy.” Her career was finally taking off.
The introduction is written by country music sensation Margo Price, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who became an overnight success with her album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter. When not appearing solo with her band, she joins Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw and Willie Nelson on their tours.
Mike Freeman and Cindy Hazen also co-authored the books Memphis Elvis-Style and The Best of Elvis. She is a freelance writer for numerous publications – sometimes about music--but most often about the food industry. Avid music memorabilia collectors, they once lived in the house Elvis owned before he purchased Graceland. Freeman is the sole author of Clarence Saunders & The Founding of The Rise & Fall of a Memphis Maverick and he was the editor of eight volumes of My Treasured Memories of Elvis. Cindy lives in Memphis, Tennessee, as did Mike, who sadly passed away during the pre-publication editing of this book. Mike is survived by his wife, Sue.
Few stars have the longevity of Patsy Cline. She died in a plane crash in 1963, yet her voice still moves us, so much so that she consistently appears on the best country artist lists from publications such as Rolling Stone and Billboard. The first edition of this book was published nearly a quarter century ago, and was not offered in ebook or paperback. Since then an entire generation of Americans have become country music fans. We felt this new generation deserved to experience Patsy Cline In Her Own Words. We are pleased to offer it in ebook, paperback and hard cover.
This collection of 48 letters gives us a rare opportunity to glimpse the woman behind the songs. She doesn’t come across as bold and brassy, as some critics have portrayed her. Although she was traditional in her attitudes about family, she was determined to succeed as a recording artist. Against the backdrop of her recording sessions, tours and television appearances she was also a housewife who often did the family cooking, laundry and ironing before going on stage. It didn’t always pay as expected, either. In 1957 she wrote to “Bill McCall still hasn't give me my money on "Walkin." I've got 2 lawyers working on it.”
One can imagine through these letters that Patsy is sitting across the table from her friend, chatting about her job, her loves and everyday life. We get to know Treva through these letters, too. When Treva plans to marry against her mother’s objections, Patsy said, “You are all she has and you are her baby, but then too, all these chickens have to find out about life their own way.”
In September 1960 Treva was killed in an automobile accident. Less than a year after that, Patsy was a passenger in a near fatal, head-on car crash. Two months later, still on crutches, Patsy recorded one of her defining hits, Willie Nelson’s “Crazy.” Her career was finally taking off.
The introduction is written by country music sensation Margo Price, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who became an overnight success with her album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter. When not appearing solo with her band, she joins Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw and Willie Nelson on their tours.
Mike Freeman and Cindy Hazen also co-authored the books Memphis Elvis-Style and The Best of Elvis. She is a freelance writer for numerous publications – sometimes about music--but most often about the food industry. Avid music memorabilia collectors, they once lived in the house Elvis owned before he purchased Graceland. Freeman is the sole author of Clarence Saunders & The Founding of The Rise & Fall of a Memphis Maverick and he was the editor of eight volumes of My Treasured Memories of Elvis. Cindy lives in Memphis, Tennessee, as did Mike, who sadly passed away during the pre-publication editing of this book. Mike is survived by his wife, Sue.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
8 people want to read
About the author
Mike Freeman
45 books6 followersFor over thirty years, Mike Freeman has made a career out of his love for Memphis and regional history. He co-wrote, with Cindy Hazen, two books about Elvis Presley--The Best of Elvis in 1992 and Memphis Elvis Style in 1997--and a book based upon Patsy Cline's letters, Love
Always Patsy, Patsy Cline's Letters to a Friend, in 1999. For eight years he owned and lived in the first home Elvis purchased at 1034 Audubon Drive in Memphis. Mike has also written or co-written magazine articles about the area's fascinating personalities. In 2007, Mike helped create three DVDs: Elvis' Memphis and Beyond Elvis' Memphis with Artsmagic, Inc. (UK) and Elvis: Return to Tupelo with Michael Rose Productions. With his partner, Sue Mack, Mike continues to do research today and offers guided tours of the region. This biography of Clarence Saunders was actually his first project and his MA thesis. Until now, only excerpts of this work were published in the Tennessee Historical Quarterly (1992) and Tennessee Encyclopedia (1997).
Always Patsy, Patsy Cline's Letters to a Friend, in 1999. For eight years he owned and lived in the first home Elvis purchased at 1034 Audubon Drive in Memphis. Mike has also written or co-written magazine articles about the area's fascinating personalities. In 2007, Mike helped create three DVDs: Elvis' Memphis and Beyond Elvis' Memphis with Artsmagic, Inc. (UK) and Elvis: Return to Tupelo with Michael Rose Productions. With his partner, Sue Mack, Mike continues to do research today and offers guided tours of the region. This biography of Clarence Saunders was actually his first project and his MA thesis. Until now, only excerpts of this work were published in the Tennessee Historical Quarterly (1992) and Tennessee Encyclopedia (1997).
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January 22, 2025
An intimate look at a pioneer in western music! The ending poses an interesting question of grass root support for artists these days. Patsy's openness and her friendship with Treva told by her own words let's you see her in a new light. The layout of this book was helpful with footnotes and some great pictures! It's a tale of Pasty Cline, but it's also a demonstration of friendship.
Displaying 1 of 1 review