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 Would Patsy Cline make it now? (Page 1)
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Frank Parish Member From: Nashville,Tn. USA |
posted 06 March 2004 03:11 AM
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I heard a guy on the radio tonight say that if Patsy Cline were to try to make it in country music today she wouldn't have a chance because she wasn't all that attractive. He said that todays country divas have 75% looks (mostly boobs) and 25% talent. How say you? |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 06 March 2004 04:01 AM
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but the gal could sing.. the answer is YES.. Not every gal is a DIVA.. she would only need to look "DIVA'ish" in a video.. these days they could even make me look good in a video.. t |
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Anne Marie O Keeffe Member From: Co.Waterford,Ireland. |
posted 06 March 2004 05:09 AM
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A voice and style like Patsy's couldnt be ignored, even if she had a face like the back of a bus, which she certainly didn't have. |
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David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 06 March 2004 05:13 AM
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No doubt in my mind. Quality shines through. She photographed pretty well then and could sing any 5 women under the table for emotion. Besides on radio who can see... Celine Dion can look both very pretty, and quite plain in differing photo's but she is huge. How bout those ladies who sang It's Raing Men. [This message was edited by David L. Donald on 06 March 2004 at 05:16 AM.] |
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Frank Parish Member From: Nashville,Tn. USA |
posted 06 March 2004 07:53 AM
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OK then here's another question. This is pertaining to Country music, not pop or rock or any other style. Who's the last female artist to make it big in country music that didn't look like she could be on a soap opera? I realize looks is subjective but check out all of the current female singers of our day right now. Trisha Yearwood has gained considrable weight after giving birth and wears nothing but black outfits now but she was what I would call a diva when she first came on the seen. I doubt she would be given the opportunity if she attempted to get a record deal today. It's just something I've noticed about all of the country giants of at least the last 15 years both male and female. No doubt Patsy Cline could sing her tail off. The country music fans would buy records on the voice alone then but today the looks comes into play much more than the days of the 50's and 60's. |
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Walter Stettner Member From: Vienna, Austria |
posted 06 March 2004 08:24 AM
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I think it's a phenomenon not only limited to female singers - all of the new top stars have great voices, but the personal style seems to be somewhat limited. Be honest, do you think that the great stars of the past could make it big today if they were about to start? Legendary artists like ET, Hank Snow, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Floyd Tillman, Kitty Wells, Lefty Frizzell, Bill Anderson,...(these are just a few that come to my mind right away) have voices that are really far off today's ideal "selling" sounds. I think there is less room for personality in big label productions today. If you wanna get started today on major labels, your voice has to fit the criteria of reaching a maximum crowd, no risk or challenge is taken by the companies... Kind Regards, Walter ------------------ |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 06 March 2004 08:40 AM
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If someone like Wynonna Judd can "make it" (and she obviously has), I'm sure Patsy Cline wouldn't have a problem! Also, keep in mind that "Pats" probably did her own makeup most of the time. I doubt very many of today's female stars can say that! Top female stars today pay between five and ten thousand dollars per show for their personal hairstyling and makeup services! |
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Bob Hoffnar Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 06 March 2004 09:22 AM
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quote: Pam Tillis and Allison Krause have made it big because of talent. Bob |
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Kevin Hatton Member From: Amherst, N.Y. |
posted 06 March 2004 10:43 AM
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The answer is no, she wouldn't make it. Looks are the most important thing in Nashville now because its no longer about good music, its about good videos. I think both Pam Tillis and especially Allison Kraus are both very attractive. You can see the cute belly button wannabe's on CMT on videos. They last about six months, then they're gone. Nobody's buying the music they are singing and most of them have no real talent beyond the musicians and promo people behind them. |
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John Floyd Member From: Somewhere between Camden County , NC and Saluda S.C. |
posted 06 March 2004 12:17 PM
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In years gone by, You heard the voice long before you saw the singer and when you did it was usually on the album cover. In the days when Patsy came along, There was no CMT, Nashville Network, GOO on TV except for some of the old Syndicated TV Shows and those didn't come into being until probably after her death. Tv was crude and just coming into full time color. Different times entirely. [This message was edited by John Floyd on 06 March 2004 at 12:18 PM.] |
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Walter Stettner Member From: Vienna, Austria |
posted 06 March 2004 12:32 PM
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Right, John! These were the times when you only had your voice to convince them, today the voice doesn't seem to be the most important part in a career! Kind Regards, Walter ------------------ |
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C Dixon Member From: Duluth, GA USA |
posted 06 March 2004 01:17 PM
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We will never know. I agree totally about Pam Tillis and Allison Kraus. Finer singing talents are rare indeed. Would Shania Twain have made it if she was not one of the most beautiful? We will never know. (But I sincerely doubt it) A super talent will always make it. There is NO greater example of this than Garison Keillor. I had listened to him for years before laying eyes on him. Wow. But now his looks grow on me. His talents are sooooo incredibly great, and his demeanor is soooooo unique, most are indeared to him within a short time. Would Garrison have made it without that talent. Hmmmm.. carl |
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John Floyd Member From: Somewhere between Camden County , NC and Saluda S.C. |
posted 06 March 2004 02:19 PM
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quote: Probably, but would have to shave his legs tho. |
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Walter Stettner Member From: Vienna, Austria |
posted 06 March 2004 02:41 PM
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Yeah, there's lots of great talent out today, Pam Tillis and Alison Krauss among them, but there are also a lot of great talents who, for some reason never made it real big. Artists like Mel Street, David Wills and countless others never climbed all the way to the top. Wrong management, personal reasons or simply no luck, who knows? I think it's a shame that so many great artists never received the acknowledgement they would deserve! Kind Regards, Walter ------------------ |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 06 March 2004 02:52 PM
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FWIW, I think Authenticity wins out over Fluff in the female vocalist department. I think Patsy would be successful. If this is any indicator... I just finished a 4 month run of the Show "Patsy Cline - A Closer Walk With Thee". It sold out a 100 seat Dinner-Theater nearly every night (the only non sell-outs occured during the first 3 weeks). There were 2 waves of added performances including mon/tues/wed nights and sat/sun matinees, and there is still a waiting list of over 100 people who wanted to see the show but will not see it this time because the next Dinner-Theater Production starts next week (I think it's "Munkey Business"). I just played the show 9 nights in a row! I thoroughly enjoyed every night of the show that I played (about 40 performances in all) and would definatly take this gig again if it comes up. We dedicated last nights performance to, and in memory of, Patsy, as it was the 41st anniverary of her untimely death. |
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Frank Parish Member From: Nashville,Tn. USA |
posted 06 March 2004 03:30 PM
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Pete, I can understand why the patrons would come to see the show today. I would tend to think it's because they're already familiar with her work but in todays climate of gals that tend to have super looks what would be her chance of ever getting heard? They already made a movie on the life of Patsy Cline years ago so a lot of people have been familiar with her long before the theater shows. |
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John Steele Member From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada |
posted 06 March 2004 04:33 PM
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Hopefully Rod Stewart will record some of her music, and ensure her immortality.  -John |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 06 March 2004 09:12 PM
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FWIW, I recently bought a CD titled "Remembering Patsy Cline". This CD features some of today's best female singers doing Patsy's most famous songs. First off, it's not a CD for Patsy Cline fans. Most of the songs are not done in the "style" of Patsy Cline, so the CD comes off not as a tribute to her, but more as a "what if" experiment. ("What if these songs were recorded today? Would they still have been hits?") My answer would be "no". What becomes painfully apparent when the works on this CD are compared to ones by Patsy Cline is what a tremendous talent Patsy really was. Mind you, these are all great singers...Martina McBride, Norah Jones, Lee Ann Womack, Natalie Cole, K.D. Lang, Amy Grant, etc.. But, to me, none of the new arrangements which were used do the songs any justice. (One or two are almost laughable.) The few that closely parallel the originals are quite listenable, but they still don't "grab" me like Patsy's versions. The "magic" just isn't there. (And it's not just because she's dead either, I heard her when she was alive.) So, I guess what I'm really saying is that (as far as singing is concerned), Patsy wouldn't have to take a back seat to any female singer doing country music today. If what impresses you in a singer is boobs and belly-buttons, or hats and biceps, you have my sympathy. |
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Walter Stettner Member From: Vienna, Austria |
posted 07 March 2004 02:08 AM
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Donny, I know this tribute CD, I also think it is awful, listening to it I had the feeling that most of the singers wanted to show off, how different they are. Usually I'm not the one being against trying new versions or different ways of interpretation, but if I wouldn't know Patsy's original versions and hear this CD, I'd wonder why she became such a big star.... Kind Regards, Walter ------------------ |
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David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 07 March 2004 02:24 AM
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When a Alison Krauss 1st made it she was rather chunky, and not the slim modelish creatures most country fem singers are these days. She has since slimmed down considerably and is a nice looking lady. Patsy had the magic, that certain something. |
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Jim Cohen Member From: Philadelphia, PA |
posted 07 March 2004 06:03 AM
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"... and no one's gettin' fat 'cept Mama Cass" |
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George Kimery Member From: Limestone, TN, USA |
posted 07 March 2004 06:30 AM
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OK, as a sidebar, let' discuss KD Lang. She certainly had the talent and a voice that just wouldn't quit. She didn't make it in the country music business. Not because of lack of talent, she didn't fit the mold. Maybe she was ahead of her time. The fact that she looked out a different window than the establishment, she was shunned. I think this was a great loss to country music. I have her Shadowland Album, and she is incredible. This is different than the Patsy Cline situation of course. I just shutter to think what type of songs they would try to make Patsy sing today. And, she was nobodys "Patsy" when it come to speaking her mind. I think Patsy could make it today, but I don't think she would just because she wouldn't be told how to look, how to dress, what to sing, how to sing it, etc. I think she would be a rebel with limited success. |
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Walter Stettner Member From: Vienna, Austria |
posted 07 March 2004 06:54 AM
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One other lady comes to my mind who hasn't really made it to the top - Mandy Barnett. She has a great voice in the Patsy Cline tradition and also she filled Patsy's role on the "Always...Patsy Cline" Show which was recorded live at the Ryman. I also have one other album "I've Got A Right To Cry" where she sings only material NOT related to Patsy, but with unbelievable dynamic (Buddy Emmons and Hal Rugg are on Steel, by the way!). Great Singer! Kind Regards, Walter ------------------ |
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Bill Llewellyn Member From: San Jose, CA |
posted 07 March 2004 08:31 AM
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Looks do matter these days. The public has been trained for that. And those ladies trying to make it in country music have more tools at their disposal these days to make themselves look better, so they do. Talent + looks + good material + good production + determintion + "luck" = success (sometimes). I still think a good candidate for a successful female artist is Daisy Dern, who has all the above qualities. ------------------ [This message was edited by Bill Llewellyn on 07 March 2004 at 08:32 AM.] |
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Jussi Huhtakangas Member From: Helsinki, Finland |
posted 07 March 2004 09:21 AM
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I don't get all this, I think she was really attractive and had a "mean mama power sex appeal"  The dork saying she wasn't attractive is either blind or about to come out of the closet to confess something. Seriously though, music business is different ( read: twisted ) nowadays, but every once in awhile the true artists do break through, look at Norah Jones for example. I don't think her records sell because of her belly button. |
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Herb Steiner Member From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX |
posted 07 March 2004 10:32 AM
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I did a long run of "Always, PC" back in 1995, and even though I remembered Patsy when she was alive, I read a couple of biographies of her, and talked to guys that knew her back then, like Jimmy Day and Johnny Bush. Funny thing, but Patsy didn't care for the pop ballad stuff she recorded, she wanted to be a hillbilly singer. It was Owen Bradley and the publishing crooks at Four Star that wanted her to be a "crossover" singer. They wanted the evening gowns, she wanted to dress like Dale Evans. Another thing is that she was considered quite attractive back in those days, for the style of that period. An earthy sexuality kind of thing.The "most beautiful" country music babe in those days was Goldie Hill (Mrs. Carl Smith), and she didn't have all that much more than Patsy, IMHO. Whether or not she would "make it" by today's standards we simply can't tell, because she didn't have the benefit of today's fashions, hair styles, video technologies, etc. So really, it's comparing apples/oranges. But I think her talent would make her a star, if not a super-star. ------------------ |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 07 March 2004 11:44 AM
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I'm usually criticized for making "apples to oranges" comparisons, but I do it anyway. A ripe orange is better than a green apple. |
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Donna Dodd Moderator From: Kennesaw, Georgia, USA |
posted 07 March 2004 12:08 PM
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Yep, I'd go for the orange too!!!  Since the only reference point we have for Patsy is very brief, we have no sense of how she would have grown in her talent, or how sustaining her music would truly have been if she had lived long enough to cycle through different phases. She was the great “cross-over” singer for people who say they only like “some kinds” of country music but certainly not the twangy stuff. She had a beautiful voice for then AND for now. I would have loved to hear her add “raw” Honky Tonk to her repertoire. I enjoy the sweet melodic sounds of Allison Kraus. But my taste (or lack of?) , always steers me to the female gut-wrenching voices of artists like Wynonna, Tanya, K.T. Osland, K.D. Lang, Pam Tillis. I guess that would be another topic. So, my answer is YES, I do think Patsy Cline would make it by today’s standards!!!!! |
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retcop88 unregistered |
posted 07 March 2004 05:12 PM
Patsy may have a little trouble getting airplay if she came on the scene now. The Jocks could care less about talent. Poor Hank williams and Ernest Tubb would probably be driving a bus instead of owning one.In fact turn the whole scenario around and Nashville would be known for Printing instead of Music.....  It won't be long now. ------------------ |
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Janice Brooks Moderator From: Pleasant Gap Pa |
posted 07 March 2004 05:44 PM
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quote: Patsi shows off her hillbilly side on the new reissue from Dueltone "The Essential Patsy Cline Vol 1 ------------------ |
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David Cobb Member From: Chanute, Kansas, USA |
posted 07 March 2004 07:23 PM
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Somewhere I've read that at the time Patsy was being groomed to be a country singer, she had a growl in her voice akin to what we heard from female blues singers of the past. She was strongly encouraged to drop that and it took some effort on her part to change her singing style to that of a smooth country crooner. Would she make it in country music today? 50/50 chance. |
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Fred Glave Member From: McHenry, Illinois, USA |
posted 07 March 2004 08:46 PM
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Ask the same question about Elvis, Carl Perkins, or Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lynn. For taht matter, do you Think Howard Taft could become president today? Different times, different ways of thinking. |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 07 March 2004 09:03 PM
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Patsy would have a rough time of it today. Her independence, her size (remember, Marilyn Monroe would be considered FAT by today's standards), and her "let it all hang out" attitude would cause problems with the Nashville starmakers. As for the Mandy Barnett, and kd lang comparisons, when they do Patsy, that's EXACTLY what they're doing---imitating Patsy. They both have great voices, but great voices won't get you far, these days. As for Alison Krauss, remember, she's on Rounder records, is their biggest seller, by far, and thus their biggest moneymaker. She's also a bluegrasser who diversified. And all these ladies have GREAT voices, and it's a shame we don't get to hear 'em more! |
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Gary Walker Member From: Morro Bay, CA |
posted 07 March 2004 10:15 PM
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Marty Brown proved that the Hank Williams sound wouldn't make it today. The record producer was positive that MB would be as big as Hank because he had that same tear in his voice. Times change and people's taste also. Buck Owens wouldn't make it as big today as he did forty years ago because we want something different and Patsy's singing was from a different era. I guess what I'm saying is, she'd have to sing today's style and not her's of forty years ago, even with her great voice. |
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Bill Hatcher Member From: Atlanta Ga. USA |
posted 08 March 2004 12:38 PM
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One thing you might have to consider is that even in her own time, Patsy Cline was not an overnight success. Many recording sessions were done with her and several records put out before she finally hit big. Owen Bradley believed in her and stuck with her trying some different things. She never hit sounding like the hillbilly girl singers of the day, she hit with what was termed the "cosmopolitan country" sound. She was considered in her day to be somewhat of a rebel and a nonconformist. My own personal opinion is that she could make it today. That is based on the fact that no singer since Cline has been able to copy her style as spectacular as she did it and certainly none of the current crop can. In so much as her looks is concerned relating to commercial appeal, when you have that much formidable raw sensuous female talent then that will easily discount the idiocy of having to first look the part. The P. Cline tracks she recorded as just as amazing as her voice. They still sound so cool and sophisticated even today. No wonder she was such a big hit back then. Nobody sounded like her. |
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Nicholas Dedring Member From: Brooklyn, New York, USA |
posted 08 March 2004 01:27 PM
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I don't care for Wynonna Judd. Not in the slightest. But it is safe to say that she has been successful. What, am I the only one who saw her mugshot on here a while ago? That was ugly enough to make the tide turn around and run... if they can make that presentable, anything is possible. |
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Theresa Galbraith Member From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA |
posted 08 March 2004 02:51 PM
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Nickolas, I think Wynonna's voice is one of the best in the business. I don't see what her mugshot has to do with this topic. It was her personal mistake and I'm sure she's prayed for God's intervention. As for Patsy, who knows? Theresa |
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Ben Slaughter Member From: Madera, California |
posted 08 March 2004 03:00 PM
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I don't think JoDee Mesinna (sp?) is very attractive, but I still like her tunes, and it hasn't seemed to hurt her record sales. On the flip side, I watch Shania Twain and Faith Hill videos, with the MUTE on. I believe it is more difficult today for someone that doesn't have "the look." Not impossible, but more difficult. "Video killed the radio stars" ------------------ |
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Jimmie Misenheimer Member From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A. |
posted 08 March 2004 04:58 PM
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I don't if this has anything to do with it or not, but a few years ago I was backing G.O.O. stars in Nashville In. The last show I did with Jean Shepard, she told me that there was some sort of Patsy Cline "sound alike show" or something, and the "winner" sounded much more like "Loretta" than anyone else. Now how does that happen?
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Jerry Hayes Member From: Virginia Beach, Va. |
posted 09 March 2004 05:10 AM
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When Wynona made it she did it with her mother who was a real babe. As a matter of fact, in those days Wynona was too. I do think that real talent with the right song can do the trick. Look at Trisha Yearwood. She's always been on the plump side but in my opinion (I'll probably get some heat on this) has a better voice than Patsy Cline. Just listen to "The Song Remembers When" or "There Goes My Baby". It don't get no better than that. I think Mandy Barnett could make it if she had the right song at the right time....JH ------------------ |
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