Patty was born in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma, into a family
of musicians; her father was a
minister of music, and her
mother served as the church
pianist. She first performed at
the age of two when she sang
"Jesus Loves Me" for her
church, Phoenix First Church
of God (Anderson, Indiana).
First growing up in Phoenix,
then San Diego, she and her
brothers joined their parents in
a performing group known as
"The Ron Patty Family", and
sang at churches across the
nation during summer
holidays. After graduating
from Crawford High School in
San Diego, she attended San
Diego State
University and Anderson
University in Anderson, Indian
a, where she studied voice and
conducting. While studying
at Anderson University, she
worked as a studio musician
for area recording studios,
singing background vocals and
recording commercial jingles,
including one for Juicy
Fruit gum. Her reputation as a
performer and studio singer
grew during the late 1970s, and
it was during this time that she
initiated contact with legendary
Christian musician Bill
Gaither.