People told me I was crazy for trying to make a go of a Patsy Cline-inspired singing career. Then I started taking home $2,500 prize checks and working on a record deal.If you'd told me that one day I'd be headlining as a Patsy Cline impersonator at the Las Vegas Hilton, I'd have said you were crazy. Back in high school, where I majored in office skills and stenography—and dreamed of marriage and kids—I thought I'd work in an office. I started out on that path, first as a receptionist and later as a media director at an advertising agency. When my daughter Brianna was born in 1987, I worked part-time handing out food samples at a grocery store. After my second, Kali, in 1993, I sold "potpourri pies" and other crafts with a friend.Looking back, though, I realize it was all paving the way for my singing career. In the ad business, I learned to write jingles and hone my marketing skills. In the freezer aisle, I grew comfortable performing in front of crowds. Still, until 12 years ago, entering the music business was the farthest thing from my mind. Everything changed at a block party. A neighbor set up a karaoke machine, and everyone took turns singing. I passed. But after consuming a little liquid courage in the form of three margaritas, I belted out Patsy Cline's "She's Got You." Everyone hushed, and I heard the audience whisper, "Who is that? She sounds just like Patsy Cline!" Like the audience, I was taken completely by surprise. I thought, Where is that voice coming from? I didn't even know I could hold a tune. But once I started singing in public, I didn't want to stop. I was hooked. I soon started making money on the local karaoke circuit. That first year I won all 15 contests I entered—always singing "Crazy" or "I Fall to Pieces"—and took home checks for as much as $2,500. It sure beat making potpourri pies. So when it came time for entertainment at our church fund-raising dinner, everyone turned to me. That's how I came up with my Tribute to Patsy Cline show, a compilation of her greatest hits and the story of her life, which I'm still performing today. Patsy was a gutsy broad. To tell the truth, imitating her has helped me find my own voice. That first year out, my hands shook at every performance. Eventually, I became comfortable and began a regular schedule touring local nursing homes, hospitals and senior centers. The gigs have since expanded to about 250 performances a year on stages from Las Vegas to New York to Florida, at fairs, festivals and my own concerts.It's not easy being a professional performer, managing a backup band (which I like to joke is more like managing four husbands) and finessing the single-parent routine. I separated from my husband of 20 years last September. When I'm out late working or on the road, my parents watch the girls. I've had to miss more than one school play and class party. But I'm proud that my kids have learned invaluable life lessons by watching me, like the importance of being confident and resilient and having a sense of humor. You never know where life is going to take you. Today, at 42, I'm working on a record deal. In the music business, that doesn't happen very often to people my age. It isn't easy juggling a career, home and children. But I want my girls to know that you can't be a good mom if you aren't happy with yourself. Performing is what I'm meant to do.

Logan WellsNorth Royalton, OH