Near Camden in Benton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

One of Country Music's Darkest Days

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 8, 2020

1. One of Country Music's Darkest Days Marker

Inscription. On March 5, 1963, at 30 years of age, country singer Virginia Patterson Hensley, better known as Patsy Cline, along with her manager, Randy Hughes, and fellow Grand Ole Opry stars, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas, were killed in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee, on their way home from a benefit concert in Kansas City, Missouri. Known for her smooth-sounding emotive voice, Cline helped break down the gender barrier in the musical genre. Considered one of country music's greatest vocalists, Cline was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4A 56.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1963.

Location. 36° 3.639′ N, 88° 9.661′ W. Marker is near Camden, Tennessee, in Benton County. Marker can be reached from Mount Carmel Road (County Route 1766) 0.1 miles north of Firetower Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in a small memorial park off the north side of Mount Carmel Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2746 Mount Carmel Rd, Camden TN 38320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies. "Tranquility" (approx. 2.8 miles away); Irish CSA Soldiers (approx. 2.8 miles away); David Benton (approx. 3.6 miles away); Senator Mildred Jolly Lashlee (approx. 3.6 miles away); Mary Cordelia Beasley-Hudson (approx. 3.6 miles away); Thomas Clark Rye (approx. 3.6 miles away); Gunboats and Cavalry (approx. 3.6 miles away); Hollowrock Church (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Additional keywords. Airplane crash

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 8, 2020

2. One of Country Music's Darkest Days Marker

Location of Patsy Cline plane crash image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 8, 2020

3. Location of Patsy Cline plane crash

Located a short walk from the marker.
The engraved rock marks the spot where Cline's country music career ended abruptly on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash. The engraving lists Patsy Cline, along with her manager, Randy Hughes, and fellow Grand Ole Opry stars, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 9,440 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on October 30, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.