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It was 1963 when Deb Kiger first heard the Patsy Cline song that would lead her to eventually start her own tribute show.

“I heard ‘Sweet Dreams’ on the radio and that song struck me,” Kiger said. “It was so beautiful. I knew I wanted to sing that song.”

Kiger, who grew up listening to rock and roll, was nevertheless drawn to the music of Cline. After a career in the U.S. Army, Kiger, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, decided to audition for the production, “A Closer Walk with Patsy.” She got the role, and when she saw the reaction of the audiences, she knew her connection with Cline’s music was one she wanted to share.

Since 2004, Kiger has been performing “Walking with Patsy,” her tribute to the music and life of Patsy Cline. Among her favorites are “Sweet Dreams,” “Walking After Midnight,” and “Crazy,” though Kiger does very much enjoy what she calls “the Texas swing songs,” and numbers such as “Wayward Wind” and “San Antonio Rose.”

Her greatest thrill from doing the shows, Kiger said, is getting to hear stories after the shows from audience members who have met Cline and like to share those anecdotes. One particular time, she was able to meet Don Helms, who played steel guitar on the original recording of “Walking After Midnight,” who told Kiger after hearing her perform, “Patsy would be proud.”

In addition to shows throughout North Carolina, Kiger can be seen regularly performing at the Hillbilly Hideaway in Walnut Cove.