At six years old, Taylor Swift knew she wanted to be a country music star from the moment she got her first country music album, Blue, by LeAnn Rimes. When Rimes topped the charts at age 13 with her rendition of “Blue,” she drew attention for her vocal similarity to Patsy Cline. When Dolly Parton debuted at the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen, she said that “nothing else registered besides (Patsy Cline’s) God-given voice.” Mikey Guyton credits Dolly Parton as an influence her unique musical style. “(Dolly) came up in a time that was extremely conservative but she had such progressive views,” Guyton told Country Music Television. “She taught people to love for who they are, no matter what, and I think that’s amazing.”
Butterfly Effect (noun): the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere (first described in relation to meteorology, from the notion that a butterfly fluttering in Rio de Janeiro could change the weather in Chicago).
More Butterflies
- Loretta Lynn grew up listening to country music and cites Kitty Wells as her favorite artist, often singing Wells’ songs around the house.
- At age 20, Virginia Patterson Hensley adopted the name Patsy Cline from her middle name Patterson and a possible nod to one of the earliest female country music superstars, Patsy Montana. Montana’s cowgirl image and western style also influenced Cline.
- Both Martina McBride and Faith Hill say they were inspired by strong female vocalists like Reba McEntire and Patsy Cline.
- In 1974, Reba McEntire sang at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Cowboy singer Red Steagall was in attendance and was impressed with McEntire’s talent. McEntire later auditioned for him to sing on Dolly Parton’s “Joshua”, which led to McEntire signing with PolyGram/Mercury Records.
- While working at her parent’s salon in Arlington, Maren Morris also performed karaoke versions of songs by LeAnn Rimes and Patsy Cline, which is when she discovered she had a talent that she wanted to foster and develop.
- Emmylou Harris bridged the gap between rock and country and inspired many female artists in the 1980s and 1990s like The (Dixie) Chicks, Patty Loveless, and Trisha Yearwood.
- In 2016, Dolly Parton released “Jolene” as part of a performance by Pentatonix and Miley Cyrus.
- LeAnn Rimes album god’s work features a number of collaborators like Sheila E. and Mickey Guyton.
- In 2019, The Chicks contributed vocals to Taylor Swift’s “Soon You’ll Get Better” on her album Lover.
- Taylor Swift’s band uniform costume, which she wore for the opening song of the Fearless Tour, was designed by band uniform designer Tommy Keenum. Keenum is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington.
“Butterfly Houses” in Arlington
- Since it opened in 1949, Arlington Music Hall has welcomed superstars (and superstars in the making) such as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Rick Springfield, Clint Black, George Jones, and Wynonna Judd. LeAnn Rimes and Maren Morris played Arlington Music Hall on their rise to fame. Today, the Hall hosts a wide range of entertainment and is the home of Symphony Arlington.
- The Levitt Pavilion has been hosting free outdoor concerts, a variety of multicultural celebrations, and several annual city-wide events since 2008. In 2012, the Pentatonix made the Levitt their first stop on their first-ever tour. Attendance was in the thousands and people flowed far beyond the outdoor venue and into the streets.
- Public and private schools in Arlington, as well as the University of Texas at Arlington, have been nurturing local talent for generations. In addition to Maren Morris and Pentatonix members Kirstie Maldonado, Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi, other musical success stories who hail from Arlington include Mickey Guyton, Melissa Lawson, B.J. Thomas, Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, Lacey Sturm, and UTA alumni Ray Price, Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield, Gene Summers, and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Tickets to our Summer Exhibition
Admission to Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Collection, Girl in a Country Song: Women of Country Music, Hometown Harmonies, and Toni Martin: Butterfly Kisses are all included in one ticket price. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/28349/arlington-museum-of-art?cobrand=arlingtonmuseumofart
Pricing, Hours, and Parking
- Tickets are available only on the Arlington Museum of Art Etix ticketing site.
- Admission is $15 for seniors (55+); $20 for adults (18-54); $15 for youth (13-17); $5 for children (2-12); and free for infants.
- Military personnel with valid ID can purchase tickets for $5.
- A $5 per person rate is also available for groups over 10.
- The Arlington Museum of Art is open every Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.
- Free city parking is available along West Main Street as well as the 101 Center parking garage adjacent to the Downtown Library.
About the Arlington Museum of Art
The Arlington Museum of Art is dedicated to championing creativity and providing access to art for the educational enrichment and cultural development of our community. Its forward-thinking curatorial mission drives the museum to present relevant and engaging art exhibits that change several times a year and attract visitors from all over the world.
Photos of Dolly Parton and LeAnn Rimes courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
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