Julie Roberts

Julie Roberts was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, in 1979. Her early life was immersed in music, performing country, blues, and old-school soul from a young age at local festivals in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. She also played for nursing home residents and worked at theme parks like Carowinds and Dollywood, refining her stage presence and vocal style. Her musical influences include Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, and Tanya Tucker. Roberts pursued her education, attending USC Lancaster from 1997 to 1999 before earning a degree in Business Administration from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Following her graduation, she began working at Mercury Nashville Records as a receptionist, eventually becoming an assistant to label head Luke Lewis, all while continuing to perform in local clubs and restaurants.

Roberts’s efforts led to a significant career turning point when she recorded a demo with producer Brent Rowan. This demo was presented to Luke Lewis, leading to her signing with Universal Music Group Nashville’s Mercury Nashville division in 2003. Her debut single, “Break Down Here,” was released in February 2004, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Her self-titled debut album was released in May 2004, charting within the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Country Albums and eventually earning Gold certification from the RIAA in December 2004. She released her second album, “Men & Mascara,” in 2006, which reached No. 4 on the Top Country Albums chart. After parting ways with Mercury Records in 2010, Roberts continued her career as an independent artist, releasing “Alive” in 2011.

A pivotal moment in her personal and professional life occurred in 2011 when Roberts was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite this, she continued to pursue music, signing with Sun Records in 2013, which marked the label’s first full release in 40 years with her album “Good Wine & Bad Decisions.” She also made a notable appearance on “The Voice” in 2013, performing Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You.” Roberts contributed significantly to charity, donating $124,250 to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital after winning on “Wheel of Fortune” in 2007. More recently, she released “Ain’t in No Hurry” in 2022, an album reflecting her resilience and artistic growth, and was featured in Kathie Lee Gifford’s film “The Way.” Roberts also continues to be involved in projects that highlight her enduring passion for music and storytelling.