In 2013, LeAnn Rimes took the stage at the American Country Awards for an emotional tribute to the late Patsy Cline, leaving the audience spellbound with her flawless delivery of “Crazy” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind.”
The American Country Awards is known for its fan-driven nominations and high-energy performances, but one year, LeAnn Rimes delivered a memorable moment that took the audience back in time.
The 2013 ceremony, held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, honored Patsy Cline, one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century.
Cline, known for her smooth, expressive voice and timeless hits like “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind,” the latter song, heartbreakingly, was one of her last releases before a 1963 plane crash claimed her life at the age of 30.
Though her life was cut short, her music continues to inspire generations of artists, including Rimes, who’s long been compared to the legendary singer.
In fact, the two-time Grammy winner, who released her first hit single when she was only 13, revealed her “sound” was influenced by a number of artists, specifically the late Cline.
“[Cline] was such a huge part of how I created my sound,” Rimes said in a 2021 article. “From [Cline], really it was about this true, honest, emotional connection and the way that she could just take you to a place that you don’t normally go within yourself when you listened to her music.”
Channeled Cline
The moment Rimes stepped onto the ACM stage, the atmosphere shifted, and the audience silenced their cheers as she started singing a medley of Cline’s songs that included “Crazy” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind.”
As Rimes’ channelled the spirit of Cline with grace and emotion, the audience was captivated by her ability to convey the deep longing and heartache embedded in the lyrics.
By the time she finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Fans and fellow artists erupted in applause, many visibly moved by the powerful tribute.
And for Rimes, the performance was also a full-circle moment – an opportunity to honor the artist who had influenced her own career so profoundly.
Bridging time
Years later, fans still talk about this incredible tribute, offering their praise on the YouTube clip that shows Rimes’ performance.
“Beautiful, sassy, sultry, funny and has such beautiful voice, she can sing virtually anything. Nobody does Patsy Cline like LeAnn!!!” one online writes in 2015 of the video that’s been viewed 6.7 million times..
“It’s 2021 and Patsy is still with us. Most of us will pass and quickly be forgotten. Her life was short, but she just might live forever. How amazing is that!” shares a second.
In 2025, a third writes “And that folks is what a real singer sounds like!”
LeeAnn Rimes’ tribute to Patsy Cline at the 2013 ACM Awards was more than just a performance – it was a moment of pure musical magic. With her stunning renditions of “Crazy” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind,” she paid a touching tribute to one of country music’s greatest legends.
Even years later, this performance stands as a shining example of the power of music to honor the past while inspiring the future.
Please let us know what you think of Rimes’ amazing tribute to the country music legend and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
