By John Larson

Pierce County Community Newspapers

Patsy Cline was perhaps the greatest female country singer of all time, but her impact was felt on many women singing in a variety of musical genres.

Cline began recording in the mid-1950s. From then until her death in a plane crash in 1963 she released numerous hit songs, including “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall To Pieces” and her signature tune, “Crazy.”

Her legacy will be celebrated at Rialto Theater on Sept. 8 in “Sweet Dream, the Music of Patsy Cline.” Organized by Seattle Theatre Group, the show brings together local female singers Kim Virant, who sang for Lazy Susan in the 1990s, Star Anna, Kristen Ward, Victoria Wimer-Contreras and Rachel Flotard. Each will perform a few tunes backed by a band of local rock musicians: Leif Anderson and Gary Westlake on guitars, Chris Friel on drums, Robert Mitchell on piano, Jeff Rouse on bass and Kevin Suggs on pedal steel guitar.

Flotard rose to prominence as singer of Visqueen, a Seattle rock band formed in 2001. Her first exposure to Cline was as a little girl growing up in New Jersey. She recalled hearing “Crazy” on the radio with her father, who was a big fan.

Flotard performed in this show in Seattle last year. She noted ticket demand was such that a second show was added. Among the songs she will cover are “San Antonio Rose” and “Lovesick Blues.”

She stressed the singers are not attempting to exactly reproduce Cline’s sound, but rather bring their own interpretations to the material. Flotard feels her rock background will mesh well with some of Cline’s more rock-leaning songs.

“We are not showing up to be her. We are going to show how she affected each of us.”

Flotard said whether one sings rock, country, jazz or hip-hop, anyone can appreciate Cline’s voice as well as her impact on women in the music industry.

“She was a trailblazer,” Flotard said. “She steered her own career. She is an inspiration to any woman who steps out and uses her voice powerfully.”

Flotard feels singing “Why Can’t He Be You” will challenge her because the song is such a heartbreaker.

“Every Jukebox in the world probably has a Patsy Cline song,” she said. “She has a place in our hearts and in the music business.”

“Sweet Dreams” takes place at Rialto Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. Tickets are $23 in advance and $26 at the door.

Contact the writer at jlarson@tacomaweekly.com