The Biography of Diane Bailey

 

Diane Bailey, a resident of Garner, NC, was born a true country girl on a farm about thirty miles east of Raleigh, near the small town of Zebulon. “Now that’s a mouth full,” Diane says.

Diane came from a musical family. Her mother, Dollie, and her father, Wilson, sang and played guitar long before Diane was ever thought about. They sang on package shows with some of the legends of the 40's and 50's such as Chet Atkins, Sonny James, Little Jimmy Dickens, and the Carter Family.

At the tender age of 3, Diane's career began when she recorded her first record, "Hey Good Looking" and "Wandering." By the age of five, she was a regular performer on a local TV show from Durham, NC, called "Saturday Night Country Style." This show helped to launch the careers of George Hamilton, IV, and guitarist Jimmy Capps, who has been a Staff musician at the Grand Old Opry for over 30 years.

Winning a talent contest at age 8, entitled Diane and her parents to a trip to Nashville and a spot on the Ernest Tubb's Midnight Jamboree and a special guest performance on the Grand Old Opry. "I remember being carried on stage in the arms of the late Marty Robbins. He put me down, introduced me, and I looked out at the crowd in that big auditorium, which at the that time, didn't have quite the same significance as it does today. That big place was none other than The Ryman Auditorium," says Diane.

Diane continued to sing, write, and record, and at the age of 10, she landed a recording in 1961. She also had a recording contract with Swan Records in Philadelphia, PA. This record label had such artist as Freddy Cannon, Bobby Rydell, and many more greats from the 60's.

Diane performed on Dick Clark's American bandstand to promote her record in 1961. She also had a recording contract with Choice records in Charlotte, NC, a company owned by Arthur Smith, and performed regularly on his TV show. Diane has also had the honor of performing with many great artists such as Porter Wagner, Ray Price, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Jean Sheppard, and the wonderful Miss Patsy Cline.

In 1996, Diane became a featured soloist at the Eddie Miles Theatre in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. She was featured in the front show and sang the high soprano back up in the Eddie Miles, Salute to Elvis Show. In 1999, Diane also sang with Rick Alviti's, Tribute to Elvis show at the Celebrity Theatre in North Myrtle Beach S.C. Diane continues to travel and do road shows with these tribute artist.

The highlight of Diane's career came in April of 2000 when she was asked to play the part of Patsy Cline in Ted Swindley's musical, Always, Patsy Cline. The musical production ran for four weeks in Charleston, S.C. at the Midtown Theatre. The show was held over for an extra week due to sold out audiences. Critics from newspapers all over the country quoted that Diane's voice was uncanningly like Patsy's herself and when Diane stepped into Patsy's character, it was unbelievable! Diane says it was such an honor to play the roll of her idol, Patsy Cline.

With the new year of 2001, brought a new production for Diane. Through much research, she wrote, produced and directed her own musical, Sweet Dreams, "Again", Remembering the Lady Legends. This musical production takes you from the 50's thru the 90's with music from the greatest lady legends that inspired Diane's musical career; songs from Brenda Lee, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Celine Dion, and Patsy Cline. Diane will take you for an intimate stroll down Memory Lane and you are sure to have Sweet Dreams, "Again", and "Again" and "AGAIN"!!!!!!!!