Fans & Celebrities to Honor Cowboy Copas, Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes
Events are planned honoring 50th anniversary
of tragic plane crash in Camden, Tennessee
of tragic plane crash in Camden, Tennessee
Nashville, TN — A steering committee has been established in the city of Camden and Benton County, Tennessee to plan the 50th anniversary memorial honoring the victims of a tragic plane crash that took the lives of Grand Ole Opry stars Cowboy Copas, Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins and pilot, Randy Hughes on March 5th, 1963.
A
worldwide call has gone out for memorabilia to be donated or loaned to
the city of Camden in order to create a museum quality exhibit as part
of the memorial event, slated for Feb. 28 – March 2, 2013. Organizers
are seeking records, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles and
other memorabilia to place on display.
worldwide call has gone out for memorabilia to be donated or loaned to
the city of Camden in order to create a museum quality exhibit as part
of the memorial event, slated for Feb. 28 – March 2, 2013. Organizers
are seeking records, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles and
other memorabilia to place on display.
At
the time of their deaths, Copas, Cline and Hawkins were all revered as
Country Music icons. On what remains one of the darkest days in country
music history, the private plane carrying the stars, as well as Cline’s
manager Randy Hughes, crashed near Camden, Tennessee, killing all on
board. The four were returning from Kansas City, where they had taken
part in a benefit concert for the family of Cactus Jack Call who had
been killed in an automobile accident. At the time of the crash,
Hawkshaw Hawkins was married to Jean Shepard who is still a regular
Grand Ole Opry performer.
the time of their deaths, Copas, Cline and Hawkins were all revered as
Country Music icons. On what remains one of the darkest days in country
music history, the private plane carrying the stars, as well as Cline’s
manager Randy Hughes, crashed near Camden, Tennessee, killing all on
board. The four were returning from Kansas City, where they had taken
part in a benefit concert for the family of Cactus Jack Call who had
been killed in an automobile accident. At the time of the crash,
Hawkshaw Hawkins was married to Jean Shepard who is still a regular
Grand Ole Opry performer.
Committee
members include Ron Lane, manager of WRJB/WFWL, Bill Randall Kee,
director of the Benton County/Camden Chamber of Commerce, and Terry
Hudson, former Benton County Circuit Court Clerk and former radio
personality. Others interested in serving on the committee are invited
to contact any committee member.
members include Ron Lane, manager of WRJB/WFWL, Bill Randall Kee,
director of the Benton County/Camden Chamber of Commerce, and Terry
Hudson, former Benton County Circuit Court Clerk and former radio
personality. Others interested in serving on the committee are invited
to contact any committee member.
Tentatively named GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, the memorial event will be held February 28 – March 2, 2013 in Benton County and will honor the legacy of all four of the lives lost.
Bill
Anderson, Jan Howard, The Grascals and Mandy Barnett are slated to
appear with other stars expected to be added. Live performances, panel
discussions, memorabilia displays and other events will culminate with a
candlelight vigil at the crash site on Saturday evening. A special
appearance by vocal group, The American Three is part of the vigil.
Anderson, Jan Howard, The Grascals and Mandy Barnett are slated to
appear with other stars expected to be added. Live performances, panel
discussions, memorabilia displays and other events will culminate with a
candlelight vigil at the crash site on Saturday evening. A special
appearance by vocal group, The American Three is part of the vigil.