Country Music's Greatest Tragedy ~ Copas, Cline, Hawkins

Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes all parished in the same plane crash on 3/5/1963 near Camden, Tennessee. Hughes was Cline's manager and pilot of the plane. Jack Anglin was killed in an auto accident while enroute to Patsy Cline's memorial service.

Cowboy Copas
Could it be that Cowboy Copas is only remembered as a victim of the fatal plane crash that also took the lives of Patsy Cline and Hawkshaw Hawkins? That would be a bigger tragedy then the accident itself. Once intensely popular, Copas' career waned in the late 50's. However, at the time of his death, he was riding the crest of a revived career, generated by his astounding hit; Alabam. The 3rd biggest song in country music in 1960, Alabam topped the No. 1 spot for twelve weeks.

A versatile singer, Copas cut everything from sacred tunes, Christmas carols and novelties to blues and traditional country. He began singing professionally on the Boone County Jamboree, which aired over WLW in Cincinnati during the early 40's. In 1944, Copas signed a recording contract with King Records. He had his first Billboard chart single two years later. By 1952, his chart activity had died out. Eight years later, Copas signed a recording deal with Starday Records and then came the massive hit, Alabam.

Patsy Cline
One of the biggest tragedies to strike the country music world, happened on March 5, 1963, when Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee. Cline, a relative newcomer, was riding the crest of an exceptional year, one year previous. To that point, she had scored her biggest chart hit, She's Got You and was gaining huge popularity across most sectors of the music industry..

Although her death left an enormous void in country music, her popularity lingered for years. Today, Patsy's music continues to sell at a very steady pace. Through 1995, sales of Cline's 12 Greatest Hits album, exceeded the 6 million mark. In 1973 Patsy was elected posthumously to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the first female artist to receive that honor.

Hawkshaw Hawkins
On March 2, 1963, Lonesome 7-7203 enter the Billboard country charts -- three days later, Hawkshaw Hawkins was dead. He went down in a deadly plane crash that also took the lives of Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Randy Hughes. Ironically, Hawk's career was on the upswing. However, he was still in the hunt for a No. 1 song that eluded him throughout his career.

On March 2, 1963, Lonesome 7-7303 charted and quickly soared to the to the top of the charts. Hawkshaw Hawkins finally attained his long sought after No. 1 hit. Things were clearly looking up for Hawkins. No one knows what might have transpired if the crash hadn't happened. Maybe someday he will be recognized for his pure natural talent and his impact on country music, instead of a passenger on an ill-fated plane crash that took the life of Patsy Cline.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Somewhere between the greed for money and sound judgment, the legends of country music were tossed aside for the outlandish sound they call country music today. RJB Nashville, Tennessee.

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Music

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[Seazer009]

A lot of good music died the day this tragedy happened. Just a little over a year later Jim Reeves and his manager would find the same fate. Sad indeed.

Wayne..

[btofan]

John Roger Simon wrote a very interesting book on Cowboy Copas. The title is "Cowboy Copas and the Golden Age of Country Music.It can be purchased on Amazon.com. It is a really great read!

[gail9909]

I was lucky to go to sleep last night listening to some of these artists that we lost so many years ago. We lost so much of some real good music with real words that meant some thing. May they rest in peace.

[Addiskrilla]

yes, your money is worth a lot. I hope you youre lookin down on it.

[getarman71]

We really need to hear more of the sounds of real country artists like these stars of yesteryear on our radio stations, there is still some room for all the legends to be heard.

[smarleneh]

Thank you, Flashbell, for this tribute. I'm Hawkshaw's daughter, Marlene, and you are so right in what you said about Daddy. Check my site out at marlene org and you can listen to my song in memory of my Dad, "Daughter's Prayer."

....Raised Country/Singin` Gospel - Susan Marlene Hawkins Gilliam

[MIORIGAMI]

I have a 1961 Grand Ole Opry program that is autographed by like 23 performers, 3 of which are, Miss Patsy, Cowboy Copas AND Hawkshaw Hawkins. This is such a find, the C.M.H.O.F. is interested in displaying it at the Museum, should they do a layout on any of the artists. I'm curious to if I sold it, what should I expect to get for it? Any offers?

[8592291613]

love his Filipino baby song

[moecat1000]

the biggest tragedy to country music ..the songs they sing now

[rockinmosquito]

@agosnell1939

Throw Buddy Holly in the mix as well.