Relatives of Cline Crew Bring Plane To Airport For Viewing On Anniversary Shawn French Mike Copas and Kathy Hughes, the children of Cowboy Copas, stand next to a plane, owned by Bill Knight, similar to the one that crashed 42 years ago. Patsy Cline fans enjoyed a full day of events Saturday, March 5, the 42nd anniversary of the fatal plane crash. Activities began at from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Benton County Airport. A plane similar to the one that Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and pilot Randy Hughes were flying in was available for the people to see, along with tables of Patsy Cline memorabilia and facts about the crash. The event was planned by country singer/song writer Marty Stewart, although his schedule did not allow him to attend, and business partner Scott Mills. Stuart and Mills were in Benton County on January 10 to visit the crash site and to tour the area to gather information for a book that is being written by Stuart about Patsy Cline, Country Legends. “Marty and I thought it would be good to do something,” said Mills. “So we began organizing this event. We hope that it will be a yearly thing and that it will keep getting bigger and better.” The plane was flown to Camden that morning by owner Bill Knight of Smyrna. “Marty and Scott were interested in learning more about the crash,” said Knight. “I knew about the concert and decided to bring the plane down. It was a lot of work to put together the memorabilia and facts display. The thing that I would like for everyone to remember is that it was not just Patsy Cline that was killed that day. Three others were, also, and they deserve the same amount of attention.” Among those attending the plane display were Mike Copas and Kathy Hughes, the son and daughter of Cowboy Copas. Kathy was also the wife of Randy Hughes. “Looking back now we all wish that they had driven,” said Copas. “But that was back before the interstates and flying was not an uncommon thing. If they had driven it would have probably taken days to reach their destination.” Later that evening a memorial festival was held at Birdies on Eva Road. The bands featured were the Harmon’s Creek Band, W.S. Holland and the Survivors, Mike Walker, John Austin McDaniel, the Jack Tripper Band, and Branded Country.

Originally Published In the Camden Chronicle On March 9, 2005







WLC © 2005. All Rights Reserved.