Patty Lee Ramey BORN: January 4, 1957, Pikeville, KY
Birth Name: Patty Lee Ramey Born: January 4, 1957 Birthplace: Elkhorn City, Ky. Height: 5'6" Weight: 126 lbs Hair: Originally brown Eyes: Green/Hazel Marital Status: Married to Emory Gordy, Jr. Resides: Nashville, Tn. & Dallas, Ga. R & R:Taking long walks
Patty Lee Ramey grew up in a small Kentucky town and learned early in life about hard work and commitment. Not a day went by that she didn't see her father go to the coal mines of Kentucky and come home exhausted from the hard work and heavy lifting he did for ten to twelve hours a day. After hearing her sister perform live at a serviceman's club, Patty decided that she would like to become a performer as well. Due to her extreme shyness she didn't think that singing on a stage in front of people would be something she would ever be able to do.
Patty would sing for her family at home, but always in another room so they couldnt see her. At the age of 14 Patty had written songs about lost loves and broken hearts. Even though she wrote about things she hadn't yet experienced, it didn't stop her from feeling the emotions that her songs produced in her. She was a sensitive child who felt every word she sang regardless if she had experienced it or not.
By 1971, armed only with a handful of songs, her guitar and a dream, Patty traveled with her brother Roger to Nashville. There Patty was fortunate to meet Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. When Porter heard her sing 'Sounds Of Loneliness' a song that she had written and often sang for her father, Porter knew that Patty had that something special, but he also knew the value of a good education. He encouraged Patty to go back home and finish school although he did invite her to travel with him and Dolly Parton on weekends.
In 1973 Patty was hired by the Wilburn Brothers Band to replace their female singer (Loretta Lynn). While working with the Wilburn's she fell in love with the band drummer, Terry Lovelace, and three years later Patty left with Terry and moved to his home state of North Carolina.
It was in the mid 1980's that Patty, upon hearing that Nashville was looking for more traditional artists, decided to pursue her dream. With the help of her brother she recorded a 5-song demo tape and managed to attract the attention of a producer at MCA/Nashville, Tony Brown. By the end of 1985 she was offered a recording contract. Although she had a budding career, a major record label contract and her songs were being played on the radio, her relationship with Terry had deteriorated and the marriage was terminated in divorce.
In 1988 a lifelong dream of Patty's became a reality when she was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Her long time friend, Porter Wagoner inducted her, and for her membership induction, she sang her first top 10 hit, "If My Heart Had Windows', a song that her idol, George Jones had taken to number two on the charts.
In 1989, she married her producer; Emory Gordy, Jr., but they hid their marriage for almost two years.
The 1990's brought many changes in Patty's career. She hired a new manager, left MCA/Nashville and shortly thereafter signed with Sony/Epic. In 1992 and Patty and Emory began working on her first album for Epic. Unfortunately, Patty was forced to have emergency surgery for nodes on her vocal chords, which put her new album on the back burner until she was able to sing again. On her 36th birthday Patty re-entered her professional life by singing at the Opry. She was fully recovered, and in fact many say that her voice has a richer, fuller quality to it. The release of "Only What I Feel" gave Patty two CMA nominations for Single of the Year and Video of the Year for "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye." Some critics said that this album with Epic was her personal best.
In 1994 Patty's second album with Epic was "When Fallen Angels Fly". This album followed up on the success of "Only What I Feel" by garnering nominations from both the CMA and ACM for their "Album Of The Year" Award in 1995 and 1996 respective, as well as several other nominations and awards.
Since joining Epic, Patty has had 14 top ten hits that include seven #1 hits. (1993) 'Blame It On Your Heart' (1994) 'How Can I Help You Say Goodbye?' (1994) 'Here I Am'. In 1995 she had three #1 hits; 'You Don't Even Know Who I Am', 'Halfway Down' and 'You Can Feel Bad'. By 1996 Patty was a well-established artist in the country music industry. She had a #1 song with 'Lonely Too Long' and to cap off a very successful 1996, Patty's hard work and dedication were recognized by the Academy Of Country Music by naming her "Female Vocalist Of The Year."
After releasing two more albums, "Trouble With The Truth" and "Long Stretch Of Lonesome" Patty took a much-needed 6-month sabbatical at the end of 1997. During this sabbatical, Patty teamed up with her longtime friend, Vince Gill, for a duet on his album "The Key". Even though the two had been singing for years on stage together, and doing harmony vocals on each other's albums, this was the first recording on any album as a full duet. The song, "My Kind of Woman / My Kind of Man" was written in 1990 as part of a project of Vince's for a complete duet album with Patty. Unfortunately, it was never made due to both artist's heavy schedules and commitments.
Additionally, she along with Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Randy Travis and Clint Black and others recorded songs for an album to benefit other country singers called "Tribute to Tradition". If that wasn't enough, she also managed to record three songs on Ralph Stanley's "Clinch Mountain Country". Busy sabbatical!
Although Patty has not had a number one song on the country charts since 1996, her contribution to Ralph Stanley's 'Clinch Mountain Country', has earned her and Ralph a number one song on the Bluegrass Unlimited Charts. 'Pretty Polly' has been on the charts now for 3 months and still going strong! (as of 3/23/99)
Patty released her newest album, "Classics" on March 23, 1999. Already the first single off the album "Can't Get Enough" is climbing up the charts. The second release from Classics will be her duet with Vince Gill 'My Kind Of Woman/My Kind Of Man which was nominated for Grammy's Vocal Collaboration of the Year.
After 13 years of touring, Patty has decided to take time off in 1999 to relax and work on some song writing. She has not included a self-penned song on her albums since she recorded 'Go On' from her 'Honky Tonk Angel' album. Patty says she has found out she does have something to say.
I don't think that she will have any problems getting people to listen.
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/tn/pl8/
