The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Official Opry will open its 33rd season with its Valentine Sweetheart Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry featuring a “Tribute to Patsy Cline by Denise Glass, ” and the showcase of three Nashville recording artists: Bruce Allen, Keith Bryant, and Glen Shelton.
Denise Glass (The Hillbilly Diva) of Lee County, Virginia has always had a passion for classic country music – particularly the music of Patsy Cline. When asked how her love for Patsy Cline started, Glass says, “I remember my 5th grade teacher gave me a Patsy Cline cassette tape. I played it over and over and learned every song. As a child I would sing Patsy songs in my dad’s country band. I don’t remember the exact time I started loving Patsy’s music – I just always did.”
The inspiration to do a tribute to Patsy Cline came several years ago when Denise first visited Patsy’s home and final resting place in Winchester, Virginia. “Going to Winchester was something I had wanted to do for a long time. I was so emotional when I went to Patsy’s grave. I looked down at her name on her tombstone and sobbed like a baby. Going to Patsy’s home was so humbling. Her family was very poor and simple. I cried all through that house tour. People probably thought I was crazy… but thats how much I love Patsy Cline. She is the whole reason I became a country music singer.”
Glass put together and performed her first tribute show at Lee Theatre in Pennington Gap, Virginia to a packed house. With the success of that first show, Glass decided to continue her tribute to Patsy Cline and take the show out to other places. Glass has been busy performing all over Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Recent highlights include Glass being invited to perform at The Graceland Entertainment Complex and several other surrounding places in Memphis, Tennessee for Elvis Week. Glass also recently performed several shows during Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
Glass tells her audience that she is not trying to be Patsy Cline because there is only one Patsy – and no one can even come close. Her goal for every show is to make people smile and to bring back good memories for her audience. Glass’ Tribute to Patsy Cline includes Cline’s biggest hits, intertwined with songs of other artists who were associated with Cline such as Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrel and Johnny Cash.
