Rubye Rebecca (Blevins) Rose (1908 - 1996)

Born 30 Oct 1908 in Beaudry, Garland County, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 3 May 1996 at age 87 in San Jacinto, Riverside, California, United States

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Biography

Rubye (Blevins) Rose is Notable.

Patsy Montana is a notable figure in American music history because she broke down barriers and blazed a trail for women in country music. Her iconic hit, I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart, made her the first female country recording artist to achieve a million-seller, a feat that cemented her legacy as a pioneering woman in the genre. Beyond her musical achievements, she was one of the first female solo performers in a male-dominated industry, captivating audiences with her pure country singing and distinctive yodeling. Patsy Montana's enduring influence on country music can be seen in the careers of subsequent female artists, and her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously solidified her status as a true trailblazer and inspiration to generations of musicians.^[1][2][3]

Early Life and Family

Rubye Rebecca Blevins, renowned as Patsy Montana, was born on October 30, 1908, in the picturesque Beaudry, Garland County, Arkansas. She was the beloved daughter of Augustus Marion Blevins and Amanda Victoria (Meeks) Blevins.^[4] Growing up in Hempstead County, near Hope, Arkansas, Patsy was surrounded by a large family, consisting of ten brothers. Tragically, two of her brothers met an untimely demise in a devastating accidental fire.^[1]

In 1910, young Patsy lived in Union Township, Garland County, Arkansas, marking the early stages of her journey.^[5]

A Change in Name and Musical Pursuits

Originally named Ruby, she decided to add an "e" to her name during her late teens, becoming Rubye. This subtle change would soon mark the beginning of her transformation into the iconic Patsy Montana.^[1]

In 1920, Patsy lived on Centerville Road in De Roan Township, Hempstead County, Arkansas.^[6] During this time, she pursued her passion for music and played the violin, even studying at the University of the West, now known as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It was in California that Patsy Montana made a significant breakthrough. Her talent shone through as she won a local talent contest with her exceptional singing, yodeling, and guitar-playing skills. This achievement earned her a coveted spot on the "Hollywood Breakfast Club" radio program.^[1]

Musical Journey and Love

By 1930, Patsy was residing on Highway 4 in De Roan Township, Hempstead County, Arkansas, while working as a music teacher to support herself.^[7] However, her life was about to change dramatically. In the summer of 1933, Patsy and two of her brothers embarked on an adventure to the Chicago World's Fair. They aimed to participate in a watermelon contest, a tradition in Hempstead County known for its watermelon production. During the fair, Patsy had another unexpected opportunity when she auditioned for a crooner's role.^[1]

During her audition, Patsy's infectious laughter while singing captivated a producer, and she was subsequently auditioned at WLS-AM for a group called the "Prairie Ramblers." This marked the beginning of her journey into country music. The Prairie Ramblers would become a pivotal part of her musical career.^[1][2]

It was at the National Barn Dance program that Patsy Montana met her future husband, Paul Edward Rose.^[1] Paul was a stage manager for the legendary Gene Autry at the time, and their union would change Patsy's life forever. They were married on July 3, 1934, in Indiana.^[8]

The Rise to Stardom

In 1934, Patsy Montana released one of her early songs, "Montana Plains," which was a rework of the original "Texas Plains." She continued to reshape the composition, resulting in her signature song, I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart. This pure country tune, marked by her distinctive yodeling, became an instant hit and earned Patsy Montana the distinction of being the first woman in country music history to sell over a million records.^[1][2][3]

Patsy Montana's success extended beyond her music. She was one of the first women to perform solo, breaking away from the typical group or family band format. Her "Cowboy's Sweetheart" not only celebrated the cowboy and cowgirl image, but also captured the hearts of Americans who flocked to movie theaters to see Western heroes like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.^[1][2][3]

In 1935, Patsy Montana's song made history again by becoming the first million-seller for a female country recording artist. It was awarded a gold disc by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[1][2][3]

Career and Collaborations

Patsy continued to build her career, and by 1940, she lived on Warren Boulevard in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, working as a singer and entertainer.^[9] Her talent and dedication led her to perform on the National Barn Dance until the 1950s, sharing the stage with luminaries like Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, Red Foley, the Girls of the Golden West, and George Gobel.^[1][2][3]

As she ventured into the world of film, Patsy Montana adopted her stage name, paying homage to silent film star and world-champion roper and trick rider, Monte Montana. She even joined Monte Montana as a member of the Montana Cowgirls and starred in one feature-length movie titled "Colorado Sunset" alongside Smiley Burnette and Gene Autry.^[1][10]

In the late 1950s, Patsy semi-retired to spend more time with her family. However, in 1964, she attempted a comeback with an album on the Sims label in Arizona, featuring Waylon Jennings as the lead guitar player. Starday Records later re-released this album.^[1][11]

Influence and Legacy

Patsy Montana's career and unique style influenced several notable artists, including Patsy Cline, Dottie West, Western music star Devon Dawson, and the singing voice of Toy Story 2's character, Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl.^[1]

In 1987, Patsy Montana received a well-deserved honor when she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas.^[1]

End of an Era

Tragically, Patsy Montana passed away at her home on May 3, 1996, in San Jacinto, Riverside County, California.^[12][13] She found her final resting place at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, California.^[14] Following her death, she received another posthumous accolade when she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.^[1]

Throughout her illustrious career, Patsy Montana achieved numerous awards and honors, including the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 1970, the Western Music Association Hall of Fame induction in 1989, Cowboy Spirit Awards in 1992, Arizona Country Association Pioneer Awards in 1993, and the Arizona Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994. Her enduring impact on the country music genre was further recognized with her induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Arkansas Country Music Awards in 2019.^[1]

Patsy Montana's remarkable journey as "The Grand Lady of Country Music" extended beyond music. She was featured in Who's Who in both the United States and England, adopted by the State of Montana, named an "Ambassador of Good Will" by the State of Arkansas, and even became an honorary Kentucky Colonel. Her performances at prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian Institute and the Library of Congress solidified her status as a true American musical icon.^[2][3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16} Wikipedia contributors, "Patsy Montana," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patsy_Montana&oldid=1138788551 (accessed September 2, 2023).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6} Newspaper Clipping, Petaluma Argus-Courier, 28 Jun 1989, Wed. - Page 19. "The grand lady of country music." Accessed 2 Sep 2023.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} Newspaper Clipping, The Independent-Record, Helena, Montana, 14 Jul 1991, Sun. - Page 6. "Pioneer country singer here - Patsy Montana's `Cowboy's Sweetheart` first record by women to top a million." Accessed 2 Sep 2023.
4. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1908 Ancestry Record 61774 #867478
5. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Union, Garland, Arkansas; Roll: T624_50; Page: 7a; Enumeration District: 0074; FHL microfilm: 1374063 Ancestry Record 7884 #194300015
6. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: De Roan, Hempstead, Arkansas; Roll: T625_64; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 94 Ancestry Record 6061 #90407362
7. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: De Roan, Hempstead, Arkansas; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 2339811 Ancestry Record 6224 #86203550
8. ↑ Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001: Ancestry.com. Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. Ancestry Record 60282 #6025410
9. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00976; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 103-1748 Ancestry Record 2442 #145655961
10. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Petaluma Argus-Courier, Pataluma, California, 28 May 1996, Tue. - Page 22. "Remembering country music legend Patsy Montana." Accessed 2 Sep 2023.
11. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 23 May 1982, Sun. Page 15. "Patsy Montana on road again." Accessed 2 Sep 2023.
12. ↑ California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997: Place: Riverside; Date: 3 May 1996; Social Security: 350018805 Ancestry Record 5180 #6323941
13. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #53329702
14. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10989/patsy-montana: accessed 02 September 2023), memorial page for Patsy Montana (30 Oct 1908–3 May 1996), Find A Grave: Memorial #10989, citing Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Riverside County, California, USA; Cremated; Maintained by Find a Grave.

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q272845
• Montana, Patsy with Jane Frost. Patsy Montana: The Cowboy's Sweetheart
• Hempstead County, Arkansas