Country Music
Golden oldies music can certainly be characterized by its variety. One of the fun things about this first era of rock and roll is the cross-over of artists from different genres on the charts. DJs would say, “If it’s a hit, it plays.” And “Walkin’ After Midnight” was a cross-over from the country genre. The lyrics express love, sadness and longing from a woman’s point of view. She’s searching and hopes he is too.At first, Patsy Cline was not fond of the song, which was written by Alan Block and Donn Hect. It was originally intended for Kay Starr, a pop and jazz singer. However, after making a compromise with her label, Cline recorded it. In January of 1957, she appeared on the TV Show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and performed the song. The response from viewers was so strong that the single was rush-released in February, 1957. “Walkin’ After Midnight” became Cline’s first major hit single, reaching #2 on the Billboard Country Music Chart, and #12 on the Pop Chart. The single sold more than one million copies and earned an RIAA gold record.
Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, VA. She is known for her strong, expressive contralto and her influence on country music and other genres, especially for women. Cline died in an airplane crash in 1963 at the age of 30.
