Patty Loveless
January 4, 1957-)
"I don't jump on bandwagons and try to do what Shania and Faith or any of them are doing. I know them both, and I like them both, but that's not me. It works for them yes- but I sing my songs. I sing my style." - Patty Loveless
Born Patricia Lee Ramey of Pikeville, Kentucky, her father (a coal miner) would unfortunately contract "black lung" disease, causing their family to move to Louisville, KY. Patty would become distraught, but would find escape in her depression through music. Her father would give her a guitar at the age of eleven. Lorretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle (Patty's cousins) would also later find their way to fame in country music. Loveless, herself, is one of country music's most popular female artists ever to hit the Grand Ole Opry stage and the air waves. Her music roots drawing from country's honky tonk tradition (adding a slight rock & roll edge), Patty would begin writing and singing songs with her older brother Roger before she was twelve years old.
At the age of fourteen she had written an impressive amount of original songs, and her older brother (Roger) would take her to Nashville. There she would meet Porter Wagoner, who would become a close friend and mentor (and was instrumental in helping her to get her foot in the Opry's door). But Patty would get her first break after meeting up with Doyle and Teddy (The Wilburn Brothers). She became their featured singer for three years, and was signed to their publishing company, Surefire.
She would marry ex-Wilburn drummer Terry Lovelace, and they would play together in several local bands. In 1985, Patty went back to Nashville and recorded a demo tape (which attracted the attention of several record companies) and two months later she signed with MCA; and, divorced Terry.
Roger's producer friend, Emory Gordy, Jr., would later come into the picture and assist in helping Patty to release her first chart single, "Lonely Days, Lonely Nights," and her self-titled debut album in 1986. That album did receive some modest success, but didn't really make a big noise until the 1988 follow-up: If My Heart Had Windows. Thus, thrusting her recording career in an upward manner, and acquiring many new adoring fans. Patty would end up marrying Gordy in 1990.
But after 1991's Up Against My Heart, and its Top Five hit "Hurt Me Bad (In a Real Good Way)," Patty would make some major changes in her career. She parted ways with her brother, and switched labels to Epic Records. Gordy would go along with her as producer. Patty would also have to undergo throat surgery to repair her vocal cords, before she was able to complete that label debut.
Patty Loveless has never lost her respect or fondness for the classic country that she grew up with. Or, has she forgotten her ties with bluegrass and mountain music. Grammy award-winner and multi-platinum recording artist, Patty Loveless is an amazing entertainer and a vocalist, extraordinaire.
Patty Loveless Albums:
Patty Loveless (1987)
Honky Tonk Angel (1988)
If My Heart Had Windows (1988)
On Down the Line (1990)
Up Against My Heart (1991)
Only What I Feel (1993)
When The Fallen Angels Fly (1994)
The Trouble With The Truth (1996)
Long Stretch Of Lonesome (1997)
Classics (1999)
Strong Heart (2000)
Mountain Soul (2001)
On Your Way Home (2003)
Dreamin' My Dreams (2005)
*inspired by Diesel
