Winchester goes ‘Crazy’ for Patsy Cline events

by Val Van Meter
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER, WVA — People are expected to sing Patsy Cline songs on Labor Day weekend at events held to honor her.

But this year, they may enter a contest to do just that.

Liz Ruffner, who will entertain the legendary country singer’s many fans on Friday night at the annual dinner sponsored by Always Patsy Cline fan club, has organized a karaoke contest at the Rainbow Road nightclub on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re limiting it to Patsy Cline songs,” she said.

Since Labor Day weekend has been chosen to honor Cline — who was born on Sept. 8, 1932, and died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963 — Ruffner said she wanted to add to the activities planned by the fan club and by Celebrating Patsy Cline Inc.

Some events are open to the public, said Judy Sue Huyett-Kempf, a board member of CPC, while others are limited to members of the fan club.

Mel Dick, Patsy’s brother-in-law and director of the Always Patsy Cline fan club, said reservations are needed for the opening dinner on Friday night at the Travelodge.

Ruffner will be on hand to sing several of Patsy’s well-known songs. “She is very, very good,” Dick said.

Directors of Celebrating Patsy Cline will update fans on the plans for a museum dedicated to the singer whose chart-topping songs included “Walking After Midnight” and “Crazy.”

Fan club members plan a luncheon meeting on Saturday, Huyett-Kempf said.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, a memorial service will be conducted at the singer’s grave in Shenandoah Memorial Park on U.S. 522 (Front Royal Pike) south of Winchester. The public is invited to attend.

The karaoke contest — which has no admission charge — begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Rainbow Road club, just over the West Virginia line on U.S. 340, north of Berryville. Scenes from the movie of Cline’s life, “Sweet Dreams,” were filmed there.

Ruffner said she has had about 20 calls from people interested in competing. Most are from the Virginia area, she said, but one call came from a woman in Milwaukee.

Her father-in-law, Louis Ruffner, will offer the cash prizes for first, second and third places in the contest, she said.

Ruffner noted that she began singing karaoke versions of Cline’s songs almost a decade ago. After singing them during a contest at James Wood High School, she has specialized in them.

“She’s fantastic,” Ruffner said of Cline’s voice. “It’s a shame it was taken from us too early.”

The Ruffner household holds another fan of Cline. Her 5-year-old daughter Kaylie knows all of Cline’s songs and sings them, too.

“She is a fanatic,” Ruffner said. “‘Walking After Midnight’ is her favorite.”

At benefits, Ruffner said, she and Kaylie combine in duets of Cline’s songs.

A highlight of the annual Patsy Cline weekend is the fact that family members attend the events.

Cline’s widower, Charlie Dick, returns to his hometown from Nashville for the event, in part to see many of his wife’s dedicated fans.

“I know about 90 percent of the people,” Dick said, adding that many have kept in touch with him for years.

“It’s become almost like a family reunion.”

Contact Val Van Meter at vvanmeter@winchesterstar.com