Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932 in Winchester, Virginia. She was often described as a child prodigy, and at the age of four, made her public debut by winning first prize in an amateur contest in her home town of Winchester for her tap dancing skill. By the age of eight, she had also exhibited talent as a singer.

She started piano lessons at age eight, and this knowledge helped her improve her vocal skills. She was also a featured singer in her church choir, and continued to sing with that group through her teenage years.

At the age of sixteen, Wally Fowler of the Grand Ole Opry was starring in a touring show that played the Winchester Palace Theatre. Patsy auditioned for him and won a guest spot on the bill. With his help, her parents helped her go to Nashville to try to get a country music career. Initially she didn't have much luck, and had barely eked out a living as a dancer in small clubs. This discouraged Patsy, and she returned home to Winchester.

Patsy may have been discouraged with her first experience in Nashville, but she still wanted to score a music career, and auditioned and won a chance to appear on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. She chose to sing "Walkin' After Midnight" for her debut on the