ɡɹˈædjuːˌeɪɾɪŋ fɹʌm hˈaɪ skˈuːl, ʃiː plˈeɪd lˈiːd ɡɪtˈɑːɹ ɪn vˈɛɹiəs ɹˈɑːk ænd blˈuːz ɡɹˈuːps ɪŋklˈuːdɪŋ ðə slˈaɪdɚz ɪn pˈɪtsbɜːɡ, kˈænzəs, ænd sɚɹˈaʊndɪŋ ˈɛɹiəz.
Graduating from high school, she played lead guitar in various rock and blues groups including The Sliders in Pittsburg, Kansas, and surrounding areas.