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Just west of DC, Patsy Cline's home shines as historic treasure
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Sept. 8 marks the birthday of legendary Patsy Cline.
Forget Graceland. Or Neverland. If you live in DC, you don’t have to travel to Santa Barbara or Memphis to tour a ground-breaking singer's old stomping grounds. Just 75 miles west of Washington, DC, you'll find the home of Patsy Cline, the first cross-over country singer who influenced future artists including KD Lang, Trisha Yearwood, and Carrie Underwood. To learn more about Patsy Cline's old home — and restoration plans in the works — Examiner.com recently caught up with JudySue Huyett-Kemp, a board member with Celebrating Patsy Cline. Plus, JudySue offers a few tips on how you can channel your inner Patsy. Read on!
Examiner: Tell us a little about Patsy Cline's home in Winchester, Va.
JudySue Huyett-Kempf: The house was originally built in 1892. Patsy, her mother, sister and brother — on their 19th move — entered this house; Patsy’s father, Samuel, was a steelworker, and work was hard to find so the family had moved around a lot. The year was 1948, Patsy was 16 years of age, and this is where she lived continuously until 1957 when she got married. However, she returned quite a few times up until her death.
Examiner: What was so special about the home to Patsy Cline?
JudySue Huyett-Kempf: This is the house where she felt settled — and from where she really made it. It was from this house where she went on to the Arthur Godfrey Show, and from where she first traveled on to Nashville, and decided to move to further her career.
Examiner: How did the house get on the historical marker?
JudySue Huyett-Kempf: The group I belong to, Celebrating Patsy Cline, purchased the home about six years ago; before then, it was a rental property belonging to her mother. We realized this was one of our most prized possessions belonging to Patsy. It just made perfect sense to open the house to the public. It made the national historic marker four years ago.
Examiner: The house is currently being restored. What's the status?
JudySue Huyett-Kempf: We’re doing extensive research with four local historians to get the house back exactly as it was when Patsy lived there. To make it authentic, walls need to be put back, two bedrooms later added need to be removed, just various things. It’ll be done as soon as the money comes in.
Examiner: Tell us about the Sept. 4 Boots ‘n Hats event.
JudySue Huyett-Kempf: Celebrating Patsy Cline and the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau will honoring Patsy in advance of her Sept. 8 birthday. This "Boots-n-Hats" event features Brent Woodall and the Natchez Trace Band, plus a best hat and a best boots contest. When Patsy started her country singing, she always wore a cowboy hat and boots, with a fringe costume that her mother made. That was her trademark.
Examiner: How can people put their best boot forward at Friday's event?
JudySue Huyett-Kempf: Let Patsy be your wildest imagination. Just think "Patsy" and decorate your gear from there.
What impact do you think Patsy Cline had on music? Share your comments here.
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