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The connection between Cline and the now-legendary producer came to pass toward the end of a series of bumps and breaks in Cline's short life. Cline, who was born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932 (her stage name came from her middle name and the last name of her first husband, Gerald Cline), was driven to become a country singing star from pre-teen age. Her biographer, Ellis Nassour, quotes her mother, Hilda Hensley: “Virginia was dedicated. She had to be. I told her she was picking the most competitive business in the world. In those days, it was difficult for a woman no matter what she wanted to do, but country music was dominated by men. It would be especially tough for a woman, but there was no talking her down.”

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