As Christmas 2001 was rapidly approaching, I received a phone call from Steve Aungst, my High School Choral Director. It had been almost 30 years since we worked together, so I was a bit suprised. As the coversation unfolded , he described his concept of a one-woman show. He envisioned the life and songs of Patsy Cline.
I was intrigued, but I questioned myself, start perfoming "solo" at my age? Why would I even consider such a crazy notion? Should I consider it and, more importantly, could I do it? Two seconds later I thought, why not? Aren't we constantly reinventing ourselves? It would be a challenge, a true test. And, it's something that I love to do, entertain and make music.I have always remained active singing at church and with my sisters, Janet Snyder and Julie McCabe, as the 3J's. But this challenge would prove to be a personal journey.
Not telling a soul for many months, I started researching "The Cline" as she referred to herself. I read all the books I could find, watched documentaries, moves and surfed the internet. Next, I studied her music, her delivery, diction, phrasing and breathing. She had a very distinctive sound and if I was going to do this, it had to be a true performance. There was only one Patsy, and I feel priviledged to to bring her songs to life. It has truly been a fulfilling personal journey for me, one that makes my heart sing!
I've always believed that opportunities come to us when we least expect them. We should not be afraid of failure or success, because that is a part of life.
Steve and I set a time to go over the songs. I told him early on that if I didn't think I could do this, or if he felt I wasn't the right voice for the job, I would graciously pass on my involvement with the project. As I sang the first song, in my "Patsy" adapted voice, he stopped me and said, "Just sing like Joanne". Well, I was a bit confused, because we had discussed that we wanted to be as authentic as possible. I said I would try to sing in my own voice, but it probably wouldn't come across with the right delivery. After one phrase or so, he stopped me. He said "No, I guess you want to sing like her." With no words exchanged, I think we both knew, it would be a doable project.
Steve mentioned that he would have someone write a script for me. But I told him, you haven't been around me for 30 years, I'm a little creative, so let me take a stab at it. I felt that if I could do the research and write the script, the entire show would come from the heart. So I set to writing, incorporating anecdotes that related to her life and circumstances that surrounded her songs. Steve and I met again, I did a read through and the show started to take shape. With Tweaks here and there, it became a show, one that I am proud to perform on stage.
I have a great familiy. I've been married to Steve Stiffler for 28 years. We have two sons, Kirk, an elementary school teacher in Maryland and, Kellen, a freshman at Northern Bedford High School. My family can tell you, firsthand that "Patsy" has definitly been a work in progress. I'm sure, at this point, they could perform with me! They have been a wonderful source of support, as well as, my sisters and close friends.
Our lives and personalities are shaped by our life experiences. Steve Aungst has been a positive influence on so many lives. Speaking as one of his former students and Meistersingers, he instilled in you the confidence that you had not yet cultivated. Over the years I have had conversations with members of past Meistersinger groups and chorus and came to find that they all felt the same. The Aungst philosophy, "The show must go on!"
If my memory serves correctly, I believe that he gave me my first solo in the 8th grade. My mother, Sara, was battling cancer at the time and was so proud of my performance at the spring concert. The following August, she passed away. I know she watches over me daily, but I'd like to say for the record. Hey, Mom.... Mr. Aungst gave me another solo and this time, it's a big one!