TRAVERSE CITY — Judy Harrison’s entertainment career has spanned decades — from performing on cruise ships to roles in community and professional theatre, to fronting her own band and using her musical gifts to build a philanthropic legacy across Michigan.
But it’s performing the original work, “Remembering Patsy Cline,” that she refers to as “one of the most moving things we’ve ever done.”
To understand that, you have to rewind nearly 30 years to the summer of 1996, when Harrison first met Leeds Bird — a Bay City-based playwright, director, and lifelong champion of community theater. The two connected during a Michigan Ensemble Theatre production of “RSVP, Jerome Kern,” an original work by Bird and his longtime collaborator, Kevin Cole. Harrison was cast as “the one local girl” in the production.
Years later, Bird approached Harrison to play Patsy Cline in a production of “Always … Patsy Cline” at the Bay City Players, where Bird volunteered for more than 60 years. He told the theater he would direct the show — on one condition: “If I could get my friend Judy Harrison to play Patsy Cline,” Harrison recalls him telling her.
Harrison said yes, and her band, ReBooted, was immediately on board.
“After that production, the band had the fever,” Harrison said of their instant connection to Cline’s music.
Hoping to keep the momentum going, Harrison asked Bird if he’d consider writing something just for them.
And he did.
“He sat down and within, I think, a week, I had something from him,” she recalls.
Bird and his wife, Margaret, made several trips to Traverse City, along with Kevin Cole — who served as music director — to rehearse with the band and help polish the production. When they were finished, Bird gave Harrison his full blessing: “Do what you want. Take it, go, add to it.”
Over the years, the group has added five more songs, but the heart of Bird’s original work remains. “We’ve just held it tight ever since,” Harrison says.
Bird passed away in 2022, but his presence still lingers.
“We honor him every time we’re out there,” she says.
Local audiences can experience “Remembering Patsy Cline” as part of the Leland Old Art Building’s Music in the Air series. The performance is 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at the Old Art Building. Admission is free.
Harrison notes that there will be one adjustment to their normal performance: because of space constraints, she and her three backup singers — Sandy Metiva deRuiter, Jennifer Lake and Kim Dorgan — will perform with professionally recorded tracks by their band in place of a live ensemble.
While Harrison and her band still do public and private shows, “Remembering Patsy Cline” has also taken on a new life through Harrison’s nonprofit, Community Impact Partners. With the help of sponsors, the group brings the show into senior living facilities and nursing homes — often performing short, daytime sets for residents.
That’s the work Harrison calls most rewarding.
“We’re watching people sing who aren’t speaking,” she says of dementia patients who engage deeply with the music. “There’s tears and laughter and you name it. This just hits deep. I don’t know how else to say it.”
And beyond honoring the past, the show helps introduce Patsy Cline’s music to new generations.
“It tells the story with very light dialogue … and it’s really for all ages,” Harrison says. “People bring their children, and then they’re bringing their grandchildren now.”