People

PATSY CLINE REMEMBERED IN NEW TRIBUTE

When you think of the late singer Patsy Cline you obviously think of the world of country music. But Cline, whose career was cut short by a plane crash, was also one of Nashville's first crossover artists. Now, according to MCA Nashville, a cross-section of singers and musicians has recently participated in a salute to Cline that features music from many different genres. On the CD are Michelle Branch, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, k.d. Lang and Lee Ann Womack. The tribute is called "Remembering Patsy." The set contains a dozen of Cline's hits, covered by today's artists. For example, Cole does "I Fall to Pieces" and Krall sings Cline's classic "Crazy."

SIR ELTON'S MEMORY NOT WHAT IT WAS

When the British Broadcast Corp. recently talked to Sir Elton John about his pre-taped contribution to a special concert honoring the 50th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, they asked him where he was during the 40th jubilee. For some reason, John drew a blank. He told an interviewer that he was likely out of the country. 1992 was a busy year for the rocker. When he recorded the special segment that will be played at the upcoming jubilee concert he became the first performer to ever do a "concert" in Buckingham Palace that was not a command performance. It was only a recording session.

SPEAKING OF QUEEN ELIZABETH ...

The specter of the late Queen Mum still hangs over the royal family. And it's very much a presence as the current queen celebrates half a century on the throne. But there's no question of why the Queen Mum's memory looms large. After all, she did live for a full century and won the love and affection of Brits by her courage during the blitz. Now Buckingham Palace says that the late queen has given all of her estate to Elizabeth II. The belongings include works of art and the full contents of several houses and, of course, the palace itself. Her total holdings, including art, jewels and racehorses, are said to be in excess of $70 million.

MCBRIDE TO SING ANTHEM AT NASCAR EVENT

Country's Martina McBride will sing the national anthem preceding this weekend's NASCAR event. Organizers of the Winston Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside of Charlotte, N.C., confirm that McBride will sing both the anthem and "America the Beautiful." She will do a special concert for the racing crews and their families. Recently nominated for three of Country Music Time's Flameworthy Awards, she begins her summer tour June 6 in New Jersey. She has also been picked to be a featured performer at Nashville's Fan Fair in mid June.

GERE'S STALKER RETURNS TO GERMANY

The 51-year-old woman accused by actor Richard Gere of stalking him for more than a year has reached an agreement with a court in New York City that means she will return to her native Germany. Ursula Reichert-Habbishaw had been charged with making over 1,000 attempts to reach Gere, "in order to spend the rest of her life with him." She tried telephone contacts, often leaving "dark, death-oriented messages" on his machine. She visited his Manhattan office half a dozen times, and used e-mail. Her voluntary return to Germany will mean that she will not be prosecuted in New York State and will not risk having to do jail time.

PLAY-DOH'S CO-FOUNDER DIES

One of the men who brought the concept of a simple ball of putty to an art form has died. The Cincinnati Enquirer says that Joseph Lowenbach Steiner died this week at his home in suburban Kenwood. His company, Kenner Products, was founded just after the Second World War in the Queen City. Its first big national hit was a toy called the Bubble Rocket. Additionally, successes came with the arrival of television, on which the company became a major advertiser, even running spots during "Captain Kangaroo." A parade of popular toys followed, including the Give-A-Show Projector, the Easy-Bake Oven, Baby Alive, and of course, Play-Doh. The company also became a major producer of "Star Wars" toys and games. Joseph L. Steiner was 95.

UPI RADIO SURVEY QUESTION NO. 335

Today I've dipped into the mailbag for a question: "Read the tabloids? Believe anything they print?" Put TABLOIDS in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 330 (THEFT)

Last week we asked about things you've had stolen. Here is a sampling of the replies: First of all my condolences to Sharon in Ottawa. She had $10,000 stolen, including her grandmother's wedding band. That loss hit her the hardest. Susan in Nashville reports than a "vengeful ex-boyfriend lifted two laptop computers (full of personal information) and other things valued at around $9,000. Her insurance only covered one computer. Cindy H says her first introduction to theft happened when she was 12. While standing in line with her family, her mother realized that a pickpocket had taken money from her back pocket. Nancy S once had a diary stolen. There was nothing embarrassing in it, though ... luckily. On a personal note: I once had a briefcase stolen from a shuttle bus stop in Los Angeles, while waiting to go to the airport. It contained the master tape of a recording session I had done with the late Tennessee Ernie Ford. Luckily, the studio had a copy. ADDITIONALLY: Carole S, a Canadian, wonders why people say Seattle, Wash., though they say Vancouver, Canada. Shouldn't it be Vancouver, B.C., instead? NEXT: Odors you'd rather forget. GBA.