May 20, 2002 — What do Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Lee Ann Womack, Michelle Branch and K.D. Lang have in common? For starters, these platinum-plus selling singers each list Patsy Cline as one of the most important female vocalists in the history of recorded music. So, it was no surprise when they were asked to join a very special tribute recording being put together by Cline's label, MCA Nashville, they jumped at the opportunity.

MCA Nashville has banded these artists, and more, together to pay homage to the original diva, Patsy Cline. Recorded in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, the tribute album, Remembering Patsy, will be released later this year. The songs selected for the tribute album reflect all of the titles included on Cline's nine million-plus selling Greatest Hits CD. Artists and the songs they have chosen to record include Natalie Cole performing "I Fall To Pieces"; Lee Ann Womack singing "She's Got You"; Diana Krall performing "Crazy"; Michelle Branch singing "Strange"; and K.D. Lang performing "Leavin' On Your Mind."

According to Bruce Hinton, Chairman of MCA Nashville, the label was trying to think of something special to do to honor Cline and acknowledge the incredible staying power of her Greatest Hits package, which has spent an incredible 500 plus weeks (and still counting) on the Billboard Country Albums Chart.

"Patsy is one of those once in a lifetime artists," Hinton said. "She could take a song and completely make it her own. She has one of the most distinctive styles and voices I have ever heard, and I daresay there won't soon be another artist with her kind of influence and staying power. When we first began the discussions of just who we should approach to be a part of this tribute album, we didn't have to look far. Once word got out, our phones began ringing. This is a true testament to Patsy's worldwide influence -- her music knows no boundaries, or genre limitations.

"The beauty of Patsy's music is that it transcends all boundaries," he continued. "When I heard Diana Krall's take of 'Crazy,' I literally got chill bumps. She did it the Diana Krall way -- putting her own special spin and touches to the song. Each of the artists has done this -- taken a Patsy song, and recorded it in their own inimitable style. This record is going to be something music fans truly will appreciate."

Remembering Patsy will feature 12 tracks, and the previously mentioned artists are just a part of the total line-up that will be featured on the final recording. Additional artists will be announced throughout the coming months.