Emily Saliers was born on July 22, 1963 in New Haven, Connecticut, while Amy Ray was born the following year on April 12, 1964, in Atlanta, Georgia. The two met when Emily Saliers' family moved to Decatur, Georgia. Emily was enrolled in Laurel Ridge Elementary School, the school that fifth grader Amy Ray was already attending.

Their musical affiliation began when the two were in high school. Calling themselves "Saliers and Ray" and "The B-Band," they formed a musical act and their first rehearsals took place at school talent