Died On This Date (March 5, 1963) Cowboy Copas / Died On Flight With Patsy Cline
themusicsover Lloyd “Cowboy” Copas
July15, 1913 – March 5, 1963
Cowboy Copas was a country singer, guitarist and songwriter whose career took off when he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1943. During his career, Copas released fifteen charting hit singles, including “Filipino Baby,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “Signed Sealed and Delivered,” and the #1 “Alabam.” On March 5, 1963, Cowboy Copas was killed in the same plane crash that took Patsy Cline’s life. He was 49.
What You Should Own
Irby Mandrell was the patriarch of the Mandrell family, making him the father of popular country singers, Barbara Mandrell, Irlene Mandrell, and Louise Mandrell. With a background in music himself, Irby and his wife taught all of their daughters from an early age to appreciate music. Oldest child, Barbara learned to play multiple instruments as a young child thanks to the tutelage of Irby, who owned a musical instrument shop at the time. By the time she was 11 Barbara landed her first gig. And from those early days on, Irby managed her successful career as one of country music’s first ladies. Their business partnership lasted the better part of three decades. On March 5, 2009, Irby Mandrell died following a stroke. He was 84.
Ernie Ashworth was a popular country performer as well as a successful songwriter. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Ashworth released two albums which contained seven Top 10 country hits including the #1 “Talk Back Trembling Lips.” As a tunesmith, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Paul Anka, Little Jimmy Dickens, and 
Webb Pierce was a popular country singer whose career spanned the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Based on chart success, he was the most popular country performer of the 1950s. His biggest hit, “There Stands The Glass” is considered one country music’s greatest songs and has been recorded by the likes of Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Van Morrison, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Up until his retirement in 1982, Pierce charted 96 singles. Besides, “There Stands The Glass,” his most popular were “In The Jailhouse Now,” and “Why Baby Why.” Pierce was just as well-known for his lavish lifestyle as he was for his music. He drove two Cadillacs that were lined with silver dollars, wore elaborate Nudie suits, and had a $30,000 swimming pool fashioned after a guitar. Webb Pierce was 69 when he died of pancreatic cancer on February 24, 1991.
Goldie Hill was one of country music’s first generation of women. Along with 