Latti Patterson
Howdy doody! My name is Latti Patterson. I was born in Los Angeles, Ca and moved to Bakersfield in 2003. I learned how to play guitar when I was 12 yrs old. Moving to Bakersfield was quite the culture shock for me even at a young age. However, I did develop an appreciation for country music and fell in love with the genre altogether (specifically classic country). I was painfully shy and quiet as a teen and I remember spending hours in my room writing out chords to my favorite songs by Avril Lavigne and then eventually Taylor Swift during my high school years. I skipped out on high school football games and school events and if I wasn’t doing homework or studying, I was usually learning new music. I remember playing guitar so much, my fingers would be so tender, not realizing that I was building callouses on my fingers and it was actually a good thing. My hands were getting stronger and it got easier the more practiced. The process of learning how to play guitar has taught me lessons of discipline and consistency that have benefited other areas of my life in many ways.
It was a family affair
Once my younger sister and I learned how to play guitar, we, along with dad would have practice sessions together. This was how we spent time as a family. My sister and I would harmonize on most songs. Eventually we raked together enough songs to perform for the public. At one point collectively, we had about 300 songs in our repertoire. I think my dad realized we had something special, but wanted to let the family “music magic” come together organically. Let me tell you, performing in front of people was the perfect cure to my shyness and stage fright! lol.
When I was about 17 years old, we began performing around Bakersfield as an acoustic trio, locally known as “The Patterson Family Band.” We busked in front of The 24th Street Cafe (a local restaurant/coffee shop), every weekend, rain or shine for 5 years (2009-2013). We would play popular cover songs (old and new) for hungry customers as they waited for their tables.
I truly appreciate those days of busking. It taught me how to read a room, and it gave me the courage and confidence to be able to perform in front of people; plus playing music together as a family made it all so special. That experience crafted me into the musician that I am today, and we got to meet so many wonderful people.
We also had the privilege of being the opening act for Rock&Roll legend Elvin Bishop in 2018 and again in early 2020 just weeks before Covid hit. Getting called up to the stage during the show to sing background vocals on Elvin’s hit song, “Fool Around And Fell In Love” is a memory that I will never forget!
Today, I continue to perform solo for private events, restaurants, and bars all over town. My love for music has directly influenced my broad taste. As a busking musician during my early years, I’ve learned how to appeal to everyone’s music interests rather than only playing one genre of music. So I play a little R&B, Classic Rock, Pop, Country. Some of my favorite artists include Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Aretha Franklin, Buck Owens, and Carole King. Music is my passion and I wake up everyday thankful for the gift of music. The fact that I get to share my expressions with the world and inspire other people while having fun is the best part of it all.