Airchecks, Concert & Radio (1955-1961)

Patsy Cline (v), The Jordanaires (bkv), unknown (acc), Wally Fowler (mc)

1. Dates
Two invoices at the CMHOF archives (one handwritten, another typed) both dated 6/28/55 were made to order about 1,000 glossy photos from Walden S. Fabry's studio for Patsy's upcoming appearance at the Ryman. The invoices were billed to Wally Fowler with a rush order promised by June 29, and the remaining 500 prints by July 1st. The picture was taken at Fabry's studio on June 27th, and is one of a series in which Patsy is seen wearing a white dress with fabric necklace and earrings, and a hard part in her hair.

2. Mastering
This performance was mastered for release by Kapp Records in early 1965. The matrix number assigned to the full performance was K-9022. The commercial single was released with the performance split in two parts (one for each side), and bears matrix numbers 8559/8560 instead.

Connie Barriot Gay (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Jimmy Dean's Texas Wildcats (acc), Jimmy Dean (mc)

In addition to regular appearances on Connie B. Gay's "Town & Country Time" radio and television series, Patsy appeared on "Jamboree" specials that broadcast live concerts from Washington's Capitol Arena on Saturday nights from 10:30 pm-1:30 am ET on WMAL-TV and regional networks in Maryland and Virginia. During this performance, Patsy talks candidly about her experience with Arthur Godfrey in New York, and expresses gratitude for winning the "Talent Scouts" broadcast one week earlier. The timing includes Jimmy Dean's introductory remarks, and his talk with Patsy after the performance.

Bryan Bisney (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Speedy Haworth (eg), Paul Mitchell (p), Bob White (b), Johnny Gailey (d), Red Foley (mc)

1. The Red Foley Show
This program should not be confused with the standalone 15 minute Red Foley Show produced by RadiOzark at KWTO on Saturday afternoons. That broadcast was transcribed in a closed studio without a live audience, and it featured only one guest. The performance reported here originates instead from a 30 minute ABC Radio offshoot of the Ozark Jubilee, and was transcribed live from the stage of the Jewell Theatre on a Saturday evening with the same audience gathered for the TV episode that followed.

2. Guests/Sponsor
Other guests of this broadcast were Marvin Rainwater, Billy Walker, The Marksman Four and Bill Wimberley's band. The sponsor was Dow Chemical.

3. Transcription vs. Broadcast Date
This performance was transcribed on February 9, with an apparent syndication date of March 9.

Patsy Cline (v), unknown (acc), Don Owens (mc)

1. Kagarise Recordings
Leon Kagarise taped the audio from this and all subsequent episodes of Don Owens' T.V. Jamboree reported in this discography. More information can be read about the music fan and recording enthusiast here.

2. Broadcast
T.V. Jamboree was a live weekly broadcast that aired Saturday nights on Washington's Channel 5 (WTTG-TV). Don Owens, a WARL disk jockey by day, hosted this weekend show by night. Intended as only a four-week summer replacement, Jamboree was a hit with viewers; it debuted in August 1956 and ran for many years. One hour in length, the broadcast would start at 9 p.m., and was divided in two. Patsy would perform one song for each half whenever she appeared on the program. The show's primary sponsor was Discount Motor Sales, and the program was never kinescoped or videotaped.

3. Venue
T.V. Jamboree broadcast from the former Raleigh Hotel, a 13-story Beaux Arts building that stood on the northeast corner of 12th Street N.W. and Pennsylvania Avenue. The studio leased space on the 10th floor, and Owens joked that 'admission is free, but the elevator ride costs twelve dollars'. The studio had room for a small audience of about 50 people, so Owens encouraged viewers to arrive by 8 p.m. if they wanted a seat for these Saturday evening broadcasts. The hotel closed in 1954 and the building was demolished by 1964.

4. Dates
Publications reveal that Patsy signed on as a regular for Don Owens in March of 1959, when she was still based in and around the D.C. area. Along with other members of the regular cast and featured guests, Owens frequently advertised Patsy's upcoming tour dates in the region during these live broadcasts, which helped determine exact dates for Patsy's appearances on the program.

5. Personnel
The Bluegrass Champs were series regulars, and included members of the Pop Stoneman family, such as Scotty Stoneman (fiddle), Donna Stoneman (mandolin), Peggy Stoneman (dobro), Van Stoneman (guitar) and Jimmy Stoneman (bass). Although unclear, some Champs may have performed double duty as members of the program's house band. Joe Carroll is the only confirmed member of the house band, and is heard backing Patsy on occasion.

6. New Year's Episode
The cast pretends to blow at midnight immediately after Patsy sings "You Win Again" at the end of this broadcast. During the closing credits, Owens promotes a New Year's Eve concert that was set to take place the following week.

Patsy Cline (v), unknown (acc), Don Owens (mc)

1. Lip-sync
To promote her latest single, Patsy lip-syncs "Cry Not For Me" during the first half of this broadcast.

2. Airdate
Kagarise did not tape any announcements or clues for this episode, which made dating tricky. To close the second half of the broadcast, Owens sings "Each Ring of the Hammer", a self-penned tune with Crucifixion references. He remarks that it is 'kind of adequate for this time of year'. The episode probably aired during Easter weekend; Patsy's choice of singing a traditional hymn that references Jesus further corroborates this date.

Patsy Cline (v), unknown (acc), Don Owens (mc)

1. Dates
This session combines songs from two episodes of the show. "I Don't Wanta" probably aired on the May 2, 1959 broadcast. Performances b-c. could be the week after (May 9th), or less likely June 20 or July 25th.

2. Lip-sync
Patsy closes the first episode by lip-synching her latest single "Yes, I Understand", a track with studio harmony and vocals by the Jordanaires. Performance c. is a live version of the song from the second episode reported here.

3. Unreleased Patsy
"Old Lonesome Time" is a song that was popularized by Carl Smith. Disk jockey Eddie Stubbs was granted permission to play this recording during a WSM broadcast many years before its official release.

Patsy Cline (v), Joe Carroll (eg), others unknown (acc), Joe Sissler (spk), Don Owens (mc)

Joe Carroll (eg) on a; Joe Sissler (spk) on a.

1. June Dates
Owens also promotes Patsy's tour dates in the D.C. area during the following two episodes (June 6 & 13), although she does not appear on those broadcasts.

2. Set List
"Waltz of the Angels" is a tune that several artists recorded, including Kitty Wells, Jean Shepard and The Browns. Patsy's handwritten letter addressed to the Poplar Tavern lists the song as part of her act from as early as 1956.

3. Sound Mixing
A bad connection or faulty cable prevents the vocal from being clearly heard for most of "Waltz of the Angels". The problem is not resolved until well past the halfway mark of the song, at 1:42. Until then, a ghostlike vocal of Patsy faintly bleeds into the band mics while a sound engineer is heard making adjustments. The performance broadcasted this way, and the song wasn't restarted. In some episodes, Owens would stop the performer and cover for such adjustments by filling time with announcements, interviews or sponsorship messages until fixed.

4. Announcer
Joe Sissler calls Patsy to the stage for "Let The Teardrops Fall", although Owens would normally introduce her numbers on the program. Sissler brought sponsorship from Chevy, and served as agent for the Bluegrass Champs, often promoting their dates in separate announcements during these broadcasts. Owens referred to Sissler as the 'head man of the Bluegrass Champs fan club for Chevy'.

5. Memorial Day Episode
Owens closes the broadcast by singing "Did You See My Daddy Over There" in honor of Memorial Day.

Patsy Cline (v), unknown (acc), Don Owens (mc)

To promote her latest single, Patsy lip-syncs "Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul" during the first half of the broadcast. This was Patsy's final appearance on the program, and Owens does not announce any upcoming dates in the following two broadcasts of August 29 and September 5th. Patsy and family had moved to Nashville by the end of summer.

Patsy Cline (v), Billy Dozier (eg), Leon McAuliffe (stg), Curly Lewis, Bob White (fdl), Pee Wee Calhoun (p), Joe Allen (b), Richard Dozier (d), Jack Lloyd (as, cl)

Patsy Cline (v), Sun Valley Boys (acc), unknown (mc)

This episode of "Dixie Jubilee" was recorded in front of a small audience of 300 people, and broadcast live from the East Point City Auditorium, which held 1,500 seats. The audio tape was made for sponsor Mary Carter Paint, and the program may have simulcast on WTJH radio.