Patty Loveless raised in Louisville, Kentucky is an American country music singer. Loveless rose to stardom thanks to her mix of honky tonk and emotive country ballads. She is a distant cousin of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle. Her five number one hits and 18 top Ten hits the second most of any female country soloists ever. Loveless' interest in music started when she was a young child. Her older sister, Dorthy (Dotty) Ramey, was an aspiring country singer in the mid 1960s, and would perform frequently at small clubs in Eastern Kentucky, with her brother Roger Ramey, known as the "Swinging Rameys".

It was during a 1973 touring Grand Ole Opry show in Louisville Gardens that Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, the Wilburn Brothers, and Jean Sheppard was scheduled to appear. However Jean Sheppard was caught in a flood, and she wasn't able to make it in. Danny King, sensing an opportunity, gave the Rameys a call. Loveless and her brother Roger appeared for about fifteen minutes on stage. The Wilburn Brothers listened to Loveless and after her performance asked her if she wanted to come to Nashville and work with their band to replace their female singer.