Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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MONTANA, Patsy

(b Rubye Blevins, 30 Oct. '14, Hot Springs AR; d 3 May '96, San Jacinto CA) The yodelling cowgirl, one of the best yodellers in country music, and the first female in country music to sell a million records, with 'I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart' '36 on Vocalion. She began professionally in her mid-teens, recorded for ARC '33, joined WLS National Barn Dance '34, teamed with the Prairie Ramblers '34--52, incl. Charles Hurt, Jack Taylor, Shelby Atchison and Floyd 'Salty' Holmes, had repertoire incl. mountain tunes, cowboy ballads, gospel and pop; used piano and reeds as well as the usual country instruments. Hits incl. 'I'm An Old Cowhand', 'Singing In The Saddle', 'Goodnight Soldier', 'Little Old Rag Doll', etc. She recorded for Decca '42--9, RCA '49--51; retired '59 but came back late '60s recording for several labels and touring regularly, often with her daughter, Judy Rose. She won fans in UK and Europe with tours in '70s. LPs incl. The Cowboy's Sweetheart '65 on Starday (an album of the same title later on Flying Fish), Patsy Montana And Judy Rose -- Mum And Me '77 on Lock; there were compilations on the Cattle label; also Patsy Montana And The Prairie Ramblers in Columbia Historical Series.