Smile of the Day Wednesday July 28, 2021

Wednesday July 28, 2021’s Smile of the Day: Fingerprints

On this Day:

In 1858, the first use of fingerprints as a means of identification was made by Sir William James Herschel of the Indian Civil Service.

First, a Story:

A fellow and his girlfriend were about to have some ice cream with chocolate syrup.

The fellow opened the fridge to take out the bottle of chocolate syrup when he noticed a chocolate fingerprint on the top. He jokingly asked her if she did that to mark it as hers since she had told him she might have to hide it to keep him from using it all. So, they go back and forth over whose fingerprint it is when she grabs it and takes it over to the dog. She holds it up and goes, “Eddie, look. Whose is that?” Of course, he’s a dumb dog, so he just whines and wags his tail. She then comes back to him and says, “I sent the fingerprint to the Lab, results came back inconclusive.” 

Second, a Song:

Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American singer. She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music. Cline had several major hits during her eight-year recording career, including two number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart.

Cline’s first professional performances began at the local WINC radio station when she was fifteen. In the early 1950s, Cline began appearing in a local band led by performer Bill Peer. Various local appearances led to featured performances on Connie B. Gay’s Town and Country television broadcasts. It also led to the signing of her first recording contract with the Four Star label in 1954. She had minor success with her earliest Four Star singles including “A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye” (1955) and “I’ve Loved and Lost Again” (1956). In 1957 however, Cline made her first national television appearance on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. After performing “Walkin’ After Midnight”, the single would become her first major hit on both the country and pop charts.

Cline’s further singles with Four Star Records were unsuccessful, although she continued performing and recording. After marrying in 1957 and giving birth in 1958, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to further her career. Working with new manager Randy Hughes, Cline would become a member of the Grand Ole Opry and then move to Decca Records in 1960. Under the direction of producer Owen Bradley, her musical sound shifted and she achieved consistent success. The 1961 single “I Fall to Pieces” would become her first to top the Billboard country chart. As the song became a hit, Cline was severely injured in an automobile accident, which caused her to spend a month in the hospital. After recovering, her next single release “Crazy” would also become a major hit.

Between 1962 and 1963, Cline had hits with “She’s Got You”, “When I Get Through with You”, “So Wrong” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind”. She also toured and headlined shows with more frequency. In March 1963, Cline appeared at a benefit show in Kansas City, Kansas. To return home, she boarded a plane along with country performers Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and manager Randy Hughes. Upon hitting rough weather, the plane crashed outside of Camden, Tennessee, killing all those on board.

Since her death, Cline has been cited as one of the most celebrated, respected and influential performers of the 20th century. Her music has influenced performers of various styles and genres. She has also been seen as a forerunner for women in country music, being among the first to sell records and headline concerts. In 1973, she became the first female performer to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the 1980s, Cline’s posthumous successes continued in the mass media. She was portrayed twice in major motion pictures, including the 1985 biopic Sweet Dreams starring Jessica Lange. Several documentaries and stage shows were released during this time, including the 1988 musical “Always…Patsy Cline”. A 1991 box set of her recordings was issued that received critical acclaim. Her greatest hits album sold over 10 million copies in 2005. In 2011, Cline’s childhood home was restored as a museum for visitors and fans to tour (per Wikipedia).  

“Fingerprints” is a country and music song written by W. Stevenson, Woodie Fleener and Don Hecht. It was recorded by Patsy Cline for Four Star Records before 1960, in the early times of her career.  I hope you enjoy this!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-FacvHlook)

Thought for the Day:

“I won’t touch you,” I assured him, knowing I could throw a burst of energy that would undoubtedly drop the curtain on the moment. “I have it under control.”

He traced the line of my clavicle with this finger and kissed the corners of my mouth. “Not even if I ask? I want your fingerprints all over me like a crime scene.”  – (Dannika Dark, Twist (Mageri, #2; Mageriverse #2))

Have a great day!

Dave & Colleen

© 2021 David J. Bilinsky and Colleen E. Bilinsky