LeAnn Rimes Brings Crowd to Tears With Heartfelt Tribute to Patsy Cline
A Heartfelt Homage to a Country Music Legend
At the 2013 American Country Awards, country star LeAnn Rimes delivered one of the most emotionally charged performances of her career — a tribute to the timeless Patsy Cline.
Tasked with performing a medley of Cline’s most beloved songs, Rimes took the stage with a deep sense of purpose and respect. She performed classic hits like “Leavin’ On Your Mind,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and the legendary “Crazy.”
Though Crazy is now synonymous with Patsy Cline, it surprisingly never topped the charts. In fact, during her illustrious but tragically short career, Cline only had two number-one hits:
- “I Fall to Pieces”
- “She’s Got You” (released just after “Crazy”)
A Deep and Personal Connection
LeAnn Rimes wasn’t just any singer chosen for this tribute — she has long been deeply connected to Cline’s legacy.
She’s been open about how much she admired Cline growing up, and how the icon’s emotional delivery and timeless voice shaped her own artistry. Over the years, Rimes has often credited Cline as a major influence in her career.
A fascinating connection between the two artists is the rumor that Rimes’ debut hit “Blue” was originally written for Patsy Cline. Although songwriter Bill Mack denied this, the speculation only reinforces the spiritual and stylistic parallels fans see between them.
Bringing Vintage Elegance to the Stage
To honor that legacy visually as well, Rimes performed the medley in black and white, evoking the look and feel of the 1950s and early ’60s. She wore an elegant white gown, her hair styled in a classic updo, and held a vintage-style microphone — every detail carefully curated to pay homage to Cline’s era.
As she sang each verse, emotion overwhelmed her. By the end of the performance, Rimes had tears streaming down her face and broke down crying, unable to contain her feelings.
It wasn’t just a performance — it was a heartfelt tribute to an artist who changed the landscape of country music.
“We feel confident that Patsy Cline would be proud of how beautifully LeAnn honored her music.”
🎥 Watch the full tribute performance in the video below and relive this unforgettable moment.
