Patti Page Dies – ‘The Tennessee Waltz’ And Her Country Music Connection

On New Year's Day 2013, Patti Page died at the age of 85. Known as one of the great pop vocalists of her time, she was welcomed to Country Music via her hits 'Money, Marbles and Chalk' and 'The Tennessee Waltz.'

The Muskogee, Oklahoma native peaked at No. 2 in 1950 and stayed put for 3 weeks with her signature waltz penned by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart. At the time, there were very few successful female acts in Country Music. As a matter of fact, it would still be two years away from Kitty Wells becoming the first female chart topper with 'It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,' and seven years away from the debut of Patsy Cline.

Page focused on her pop music and television career, but came back to Country Music with some modest charting songs in the '70s like 'I Wish I Had A Mommy Like You' 'Give Him Love' and a duet with Tom T. Hall on 'Hello We're Lonely.'

Sadly, in February of 2013, Patti Page was scheduled to appear and receive the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award. A much deserved honor, as she was the best selling female artist of the '50s with over 100 million records sold, according to the Associated Press. Although she has eclipsed induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Academy Of Country Music Honored Page with the prestigious Pioneer Award.

Patti Page performs her pop classic 'How Much Is That Doggie In The Window' 2007