Patsy Cline Sessionography

In The Studio: 1957
Patsy Records A Four Star Classic
(Elmer Williams Photo)

The Four Star Years

On September 30, 1954, Patsy Cline Signed Her First Recording Contract With Four Star Music Sales of Pasadena, CA. In Turn, Four Star Arranged A Leasing and Distribution Deal With Decca Records. The Deal Gave Decca Control of the Recording Sessions and Choice of Producer.

While the Stipulations of the Contract Remain A Point of Controversy To This Day, No One Can Deny the Impact It Had On Patsy's Career. Both Positively and Negatively. It Did Lead To Patsy's Association With Owen Bradley. The Rest, As They Say, Is History.

Except Where Noted, All Sessions Were Produced By Owen Bradley and Held At the Bradley Film and Recording Studios In Nashville.

June 1, 1955:

Hidin' Out
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson)

Turn The Cards Slowly
(Sammy Masters)

A Church, A Courtroom and Then Goodbye
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson)

Honky Tonk Merry Go Round
(Frank Simon, Stan Gardner)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (Acoustic Guitar); Owen Bradley (Piano); Farris Coursey (Drums); Don Helms (Steel Guitar); Tommy Jackson (Fiddle); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass)

January 5, 1956:

I Love You, Honey
(Eddie Miller)

Come On In
(and Make Yourself At Home)
(V.F. Stewart)

I Cried All The Way To The Altar
(Bobbie Flournoy)

I Don't Wanta
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson,
Durwood Haddock)

April 22, 1956:

Stop, Look and Listen
(George London, W.S. Stevenson)

I've Loved and Lost Again
(Eddie Miller)

Dear God
(V.F. Stewart)

He Will Do For You
(V.F. Stewart)

November 8, 1956:

Walking After Midnight
(Donn Hecht, Alan Block)

The Heart You Break May Be Your Own
(Tiny Colbert, Bob Geesling)

Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
(Burton Levy, Glenn Reeves,
Mae Boren Axton)

A Poor Man's Roses
(or A Rich Man's Gold)
(Bob Hilliard, Milton DeLugg)

In The Studio: 1957
Patsy and Owen Bradley Work Up An Arrangement
(Elmer Williams Photo)

April 24, 1957:

Today, Tomorrow and Forever
(Don Reid)

Fingerprints
(Donn Hecht, W.O. Fleener,
W.S. Stevenson)

A Stranger In My Arms
(Charlotte White, Virginia Hensley,
Mary Lu Jeans)

Don't Ever Leave Me Again
(Lillian Claiborne, Virginia Hensley,
James Crawford)

Produced By Paul Cohen

Recorded At Decca's Pythian Temple Studio - New York, NY

Although The Studio Musicians Are Not Known For Certain, Reference Material For Other Decca Artists Indicate The Jack Pleis Orchestra Was The House Band For Decca's New York Recording Sessions During This Period.

April 25, 1957:

Try Again
(Bob Summers, Jerry Le Fors)

Too Many Secrets
(Bobby Lile)

Then You'll Know
(Bobby Lile)

Three Cigarettes (In An Ashtray)
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson)

Produced By Paul Cohen

Recorded At Decca's Pythian Temple Studio - New York, NY

Session Personnel:
Anita Kerr Singers (Vocals)

Although The Studio Musicians Are Not Known For Certain, Reference Material For Other Decca Artists Indicate The Jack Pleis Orchestra Was The House Band For Decca's New York Recording Sessions During This Period.

May 23, 1957:

That Wonderful Someone
(Gertrude Burg)

(Write Me) In Care of the Blues
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson)

Hungry For Love
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson)

I Can't Forget You
(Carl Belew, W.S. Stevenson)

I Don't Wanta
(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson,
Durwood Haddock)

Ain't No Wheels On This Ship
(W.D. Chandler, W.S. Stevenson)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (Electric Bass); Owen Bradley (Piano); Farris Coursey (Drums); Hank Garland (Electric Guitar); Anita Kerr Singers (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Jack Shook (Acoustic Guitar)

December 13, 1957:

Stop the World (and Let Me Off)
(Carl Belew, W.S. Stevenson)

Walking Dream
(Hal Willis, Ginger Willis)

Cry Not For Me
(Donn Hecht, Jack Moon)

If I Could See The World
(Through The Eyes of A Child)
(Sammy Masters, Richard Pope,
Tex Satterwhite)

Session Personnel:
Anita Kerr Singers (Vocals)

Remainder of Personnel Unknown

In The Studio: 1957
L-R: Owen Bradley, Patsy and Paul Cohen
(Elmer Williams Photo)

February 13, 1958:

Just Out of Reach
(V.F. Stewart)

I Can See An Angel
(Kay Adelman)

Come On In
(and Make Yourself At Home)
(V.F. Stewart)

Let The Teardrops Fall
(C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles,
W.S. Stevenson)

Never No More
(Rita Ross, Alan Block)

If I Could Only Stay Asleep
(Ethel Bassey, Wayland Chandler)

Session Personnel:
Anita Kerr Singers (Vocals)

Remainder of Personnel Unknown

January 8, 1959:

I'm Moving Along
(Johnny Starr)

I'm Blue Again
(C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles,
W.S. Stevenson)

Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do
(C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles,
W.S. Stevenson)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Hank Garland (Electric Guitar); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass)

January 9, 1959:

Yes, I Understand
(C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles,
W.S. Stevenson)

Gotta Lot of Rhythm In My Soul
(Barbara Vaughan, W.S. Stevenson)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Farris Coursey (Drums); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Hank Garland (Electric Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass)

July 3, 1959:

Life's Railway To Heaven
(Charlie Tillman, M.E. Abbey;
Arr. By W.S. Stevenson)

Just A Closer Walk With Thee
(Traditional; Arr. By W.S. Stevenson)

Session Personnel:
Floyd Cramer (Piano); Hank Garland (Electric Guitar); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass)

January 27, 1960:

Lovesick Blues
(Irving Mills, Cliff Friend)

How Can I Face Tomorrow
(C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles,
W.S. Stevenson)

There He Goes
(Eddie Miller, Durwood Haddock,
W.S. Stevenson)

Crazy Dreams
(C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles,
W.S. Stevenson)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Jimmy Day (Steel Guitar); Hank Garland (Electric Guitar); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar and Fiddle); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass)

In The Studio: 1959
Patsy and The Jordanaires
(Courtesy of www.jordanaires.net)

Due To the Unavailability of Records, the Exact Session Personnel Through 1958 Is Not Certain. Performers Listed Are Based On Interviews, Conducted By Don Roy, With Harold Bradley, Ray Edenton, Buddy Harman, Don Helms and Bob Moore.

NOTE: The Information For the Above Session Dates Comes From A Discography By Don Roy, As Printed In the Companion Booklet To The Patsy Cline Collection. In His Book, Honky Tonk Angel, Author Ellis Nassour Gives Differing Dates and Order For the First Two Sessions. After Weighing This Information, I Find the Dates Given By Don Roy To Be More Accurate As They More Closely Match the Information Found In the Decca Archives. Mr. Nassour Also Used the Decca Archives In His Research.

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The Decca Years

In 1960, After Her Contract With Four Star Ended, Patsy Signed Directly With Decca Records. Her First Session Under The New Agreement Was Held On November 16, 1960. Over The Next 27 Months, Patsy Cline and Owen Bradley Would Create Music History.

All Sessions Were Produced By Owen Bradley, and Held At the Bradley Film and Recording Studios In Nashville.

In The Studio: 1962
Patsy Takes A Break From Recording
(From Remembering Patsy; © 1993 Hallway Productions)

November 16, 1960:

I Fall To Pieces
(Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard)

Shoes
(Hank Cochran, Velma Smith)

Lovin' In Vain
(Freddie Hart)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Hank Garland (Electric Guitar); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Ben Keith (Steel Guitar); Doug Kirkham (Drums); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (Piano)

August 17, 1961:

True Love
(Cole Porter)

San Antonio Rose
(Bob Wills)

The Wayward Wind
(Stan Lebowsky, Herb Newman)

A Poor Man's Roses
(or A Rich Man's Gold)
(Bob Hilliard, Milton DeLugg)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); George Binkley III (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); John Bright (Viola); Cecil Brower (Viola); Walter Haynes (Steel Guitar); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Lillian Hunt (Violin); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Suzanne Parker (Violin); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (Piano)

August 21, 1961:

Crazy
(Willie Nelson)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Owen Bradley (Organ); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Walter Haynes (Steel Guitar); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass)

August 24, 1961:

Who Can I Count On?
(Sammy Masters)

Seven Lonely Days
(Earl Shuman, Alden Shuman,
Marshall Brown)

I Love You So Much It Hurts
(Floyd Tillman)

Foolin' 'Round
(Harlan Howard, Buck Owens)

Have You Ever Been Lonely
(Have You Ever Been Blue)?
(Peter DeRose, George Brown)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Floyd Cramer (Organ); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Walter Haynes (Steel Guitar); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (Piano)

August 25, 1961:

South of the Border
(Down Mexico Way)
(Michael Carr, Jimmy Kennedy)

Walking After Midnight
(Donn Hecht, Alan Block)

Strange
(Mel Tillis, Fred Burch)

You're Stronger Than Me
(Hank Cochran, Jimmy Key)

In The Studio: 1962
L-R: Owen Bradley, Randy Hughes, Patsy, Justin Tubb and Hank Cochran
(From The Patsy Cline Collection; © 1991 MCA Records, Inc.)

December 17, 1961:

She's Got You
(Hank Cochran)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Walter Haynes (Steel Guitar); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Bill Pursell (Organ)

February 12, 1962:

You Made Me Love You
(I Didn't Want To Do It)
(Joe McCarthy, James V. Monaco)

You Belong To Me
(Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart,
Chilton Price)

Heartaches
(Al Hoffman, John Klenner)

Your Cheatin' Heart
(Hank Williams)

Session Personnel:
Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Walter Haynes (Steel Guitar); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Bill Pursell (Organ)

February 13, 1962:

That's My Desire
(Helmy Kresa, Carroll Loveday)

Half As Much
(Curley Williams)

February 15, 1962:

Lonely Street
(Carl Belew, W.S. Stevenson,
Kenny Sowder)

Anytime
(Herbert "Happy" Lawson)

You Were Only Fooling
(While I Was Falling In Love)
(Larry Fotine, Billy Faber,
Fred Meadows)

I Can't Help It
(If I'm Still In Love With You)
(Hank Williams)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Walter Haynes (Steel Guitar); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Bill Pursell (Organ); Verne Richardson (Violin)

February 28, 1962:

You're Stronger Than Me
(Hank Cochran, Jimmy Key)

When I Get Through With You
(You'll Love Me Too)
(Harlan Howard)

Imagine That
(Justin Tubb)

So Wrong
(Carl Perkins, Danny Dill, Mel Tillis)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Howard Carpenter (Viola); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Verne Richardson (Violin); Ed Tarpley (Viola); Joe Zinkan (Acoustic Bass)

The Jordanaires, Jerry, Hawkshaw and Patsy

In The Studio: 1963
L-R: The Jordanaires, Jerry Byrd (seated), Hawkshaw Hawkins (at Piano) and Patsy
(From The Patsy Cline Story; © 1963 Decca Records, Inc.)

September 5, 1962:

Why Can't He Be You
(Hank Cochran)

Your Kinda Love
(Roy Drusky)

When You Need A Laugh
(Hank Cochran)

Leavin' On Your Mind
(Wayne Walker, Webb Pierce)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Howard Carpenter (Violin); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Nancy Hearn (Violin); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Verne Richardson (Violin); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (Piano); Rita Faye Wilson (Autoharp)

September 10, 1962:

Back In Baby's Arms
(Bob Montgomery)

Tra Le La Le La Triangle
(Marijohn Wilkin, Fred Burch)

That's How A Heartache Begins
(Harlan Howard)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Bill Pursell (Organ); Verne Richardson (Violin); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (Piano); Michael Semanitzky (Violin)

February 4, 1963:

Faded Love
(Bob Wills, John Wills)

Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)
(Jimmie Hodges)

Love Letters In The Sand
(J. Fred Coots, Nick Kenny,
Charles Kenny)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); George Binkley III (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Howard Carpenter (Violin); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Martin Kathan (Violin): Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Bass); Verne Richardson (Violin); Gary Williams (Violin)

February 5, 1963:

Blue Moon of Kentucky
(Bill Monroe)

Sweet Dreams (of You)
(Don Gibson)

Always
(Irving Berlin)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); George Binkley III (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Howard Carpenter (Violin); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Martin Kathan (Violin); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Bill Pursell (Vibraphone); Verne Richardson (Violin); Wilda Tinsley (Violin); Gary Williams (Violin)

February 6, 1963:

Does Your Heart Beat For Me
(Russ Morgan, Arnold Johnson,
Mitchell Parrish)

Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
(Hughie Cannon)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); George Binkley III (Violin); Harold Bradley (6-String Electric Bass); Cecil Brower (Viola); Howard Carpenter (Violin); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Verne Richardson (Violin); Wilda Tinsley (Violin); Gary Williams (Violin)

February 7, 1963:

He Called Me Baby
(Harlan Howard)

Crazy Arms
(Chuck Seals, Ralph Mooney)

You Took Him Off My Hands
(Harlan Howard, Wynn Stewart,
Skeets McDonald)

I'll Sail My Ship Alone
(Henry Bernard, Henry Thurston,
Lois Mann, Morry Burns)

Session Personnel:
Byron Bach (Cello); Brenton Banks (Violin); George Binkley III (Violin); Howard Carpenter (Violin); Floyd Cramer (Piano); Ray Edenton (Rhythm Guitar); Solie Fott (Violin); Murrey "Buddy" Harman (Drums); Randy Hughes (Acoustic Guitar); Lillian Hunt (Violin); The Jordanaires (Vocals); Martin Kathan (Violin); Grady Martin (Electric Guitar); Bob Moore (Acoustic Bass); Wayne Moss (6-String Electric Bass); Mildred Onk (Violin); Verne Richardson (Violin); Gary Williams (Violin)

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