The wonderful performer CJ Harding is back at the Palladium this Saturday (March 28) for the third time with her great Patsy Cline show – Sweet Dreams. And she’s paired with my favorite classic country band – The Only Daddys. They’ll be backing her up.
CJ has performed this show around to country for years to much acclaim. We’re happy she calls our town home for part of the year and brings Patsy to life on our stage.
To get you in the mood for the show – I did a short interview with CJ. Enjoy!
How long have you been performing as Patsy Cline?
I actually started in the late 80’s by entering a contest. I won and that inspired me even more. I didn’t really begin putting a show together until after I sang with the Grand Ole Opry in 1994. I was even more inspired by the legends that knew Patsy before she died in a plane crash in 1963. They and other people kept telling me that I sounded like Patsy Cline.
At the time I was just singing in bars and lounges and private events. It really took off after my band Shenandoah and I performed a full Patsy Cline Tribute with wig and costume on the Regency Rainbow Cruise Line. It was very popular. That led me to do it full time and move out of the smoky bars and onto the concert stage.
Where did you grow up and did that have any influence on your music?
I grew up in Savannah, GA. The very first music that I can remember singing was Patsy Cline’s Walkin’ After Midnight. She was my favorite as well as Brenda Lee. Over the years Rock & Roll became my favorite music and I left Patsy behind until 1994 when I sang with the Opry.
What was your most memorable moment as Patsy Cline?
I had been invited to sing in Patsy’s hometown of Winchester, VA for their New Year’s Eve First Night Celebration. I sang in the Grace Lutheran Church (which was Patsy’s church) with beautiful rows of red & white Poinsettias and an very old large pipe organ as my background. In the audience was Patsy’s husband, Charlie Dick, Harold Dick (Charlie’s brother), Hilda Hensley (Patsy’s mother), Patsy’s brother and sister as well as Patsy’s two children. Talk about being on the spot.
Well, all I can say is that it was an incredible moment as I stood their and sang Just A Closer Walk With Thee. I went blank on one of the lines and the whole church filled it in for me. What an adrenaline rush that was. They invited me back to Winchester for three more occasions, one of which was the Shenandoah Music Festival – The History of Music in the Shenandoah Valley.
You wear authentic looking costumes in your show. Where do they come from?
I had a costume designing business when I lived in Vancouver, BC Canada for theater and film. It wasn’t difficult to replicate them from photos. Patsy’s mother made all of her costumes based on what Patsy Montana and Dale Evans looked like. On the western outfits there are at least 500 rhinestones that were put on by hand; my hand. I have three that required the same work. Of course the second half of the show, I wear a more evening type of dress. When Patsy signed with Decca, they wanted a more cross over appearance.
Do you write music or play and instrument?
I began playing guitar when I was fourteen and have been writing and singing all my life. I’ve recorded one album of original music.
What does the future hold for CJ Harding?
Just keep singing. It seems that Patsy Cline is timeless and her songs are classic. I am so very grateful that this niche found me and I’m able to keep Patsy Cline’s memory alive. This year the show will be backed by The Only Daddys. I am so excited to sing with these guys and I look forward to returning to the Palladium stage for the third time with “Sweet Dreams” A Patsy Cline Tribute on March 28th.
For tickets and information call 727 822-3590 or visit our website.
1 comment
What an interesting lady. Sounds like she has Patsy Cline down to a t.