More than 40 years have passed since the quintessential and original cowgirl pop star Patsy Cline died in a plane crash at the height of her career at age 30.
It’s been more than half a century since honky tonk icon Hank Williams suffered a life-ending heart attack in the back of a Cadillac en route to a show at age 29.
Still on Bainbridge, the allure of their music — albeit sung by local musicians — continues to amplify. Entering it’s third year, Music Community Resource’s Hank Williams/Patsy Cline Tribute Concert — which will be from 5-10 p.m. June 23 at the Hazel Creek Farm, 8903 Koura Rd. on Bainbridge — has outgrown its former venue, its previous artist roster and its event duration.
This year, removed from the cozy quarters of the Pegasus Coffee House, the festival fittingly shifts into the barn at Hazel Creek Farm with more than 20 performers, barbecue foods from Tatu BBQ and five hours of tunes in tribute to Hank and Patsy.
It’ll all be followed up with dessert provided by Seasons of Thyme catering. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and will be available at the door.
“It’s nostalgic, of course … myself, I grew up with Hank Williams” said festival organizer Rick Barrenger of the South of Kingston Trio, noting in a clever way that he shares the same birth date (Sept. 17) with the legend. “My dobro player used to play percussion back in the ‘60s around the Seattle area with a lot of this kind of music, so it’s just kind of natural for us … We’re going to open the show and let other people play.”
Audiences can, of course, expect cover songs galore from solo, duo and trio artists along with three featured bands — Stephan Plummer and Jeanette Alexander, Michael Siacca and his swing band, and Dani Lee with Bob and Kathy Moss. Each will play out 45-minute- to hour-long cover sets, interspersed with various other local artists who will be offering their favorite Cline or Williams songs.
“It’s all a matter of people’s interpretation,” Barrenger said of what to expect at the festival. “That’s part of what made Patsy Cline a star, her own interpretation of all those songs.”
Cline — who’s big break came after winning the Arthur Godfrey Talent Program in 1957 with the song “Walkin’ After Midnight” — was a mouthpiece for numerous hits from various era writers including Willie Nelson (Cline recorded his ballad “Crazy” in 1962) Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard (“I Fall to Pieces” in 1960) and even Hank Williams (Cline covered “Your Cheatin’ Heart” on record in 1962).
Cline’s charisma and gutsy yet glamorous voice formed a musical bridge of sorts between the rough and tumble country western culture and the popular mainstream.
Williams, on the other hand — who left his home to pursue music at the age of 16 — acclaimed mainstream status through his attractively venerable unveiling of the sorrow behind that rough and tumble lifestyle.
As singers, both were so incredibly naturally honest that one can still feel the raw emotion emitting from their decades-old recordings.
“For me, (Williams’) songs were really heartfelt,” Barrenger said. “He did a lot of suffering and it just shows in his music. I think that’s why his music was so popular, it was really heartfelt and sincere.”
The struggles of Williams’ songs seemed to have spawned from an off-stage life of alcoholism, bouts of drug abuse and troubled relationships that eventually led to his death. However, the way he displayed his demons from the stage is considered by many to have shaped country music today in a big way.
As a testament, Williams was one of the first three inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. — along with Jimmie Rodgers and Fred Rose.
Cline — the most popular female country singer in recording history, according to the CMHOF — was inducted in 1973.
Now, on June 23, 2007 each icon’s spirit is invited to Hazel Creek Farm on Bainbridge Island for an evening of tribute.
And an invitation to the audience: “Your Cheatin’ Heart” is welcome to take the “Lost Highway” June 23, saying goodbye to its “Long Gone Lonesome Blues,” traveling “Back in Baby’s Arms” to go “Walkin’ After Midnight” on into “Sweet Dreams (Of You)” at Hazel Creek Farm.
