Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Julie Roberts

Danielle Peck added to Angels on Earth benefit concert

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:36:13 +0000

Danielle Peck, chart-topping country music star, has been added to the “Angels On Earth” benefit concert for Nashville, TN resident, Theresa Lawton. Lawton sustained several traumatic injuries after she was struck by a drunk driver on her way to church on January 30, 2013.

Peck joins an already star-studded evening of music featuring Bucky Covington, Julie Roberts, Jason Crabb and Brian Nutter from Keith Urban‘s band as well as hit songwriters. Emceed by News Channel 5′s Rhori Johnston, the event is sure to be an amazing night of music all for a great cause. The evening will also include a silent auction.

For more information about Theresa and upcoming announcements regarding the event, follow the Prayers for Theresa Lawton Facebook page.

Full Artist Line-Up:

tDanielle Peck

Julie Roberts (Country Music Star)

Bucky Covington (American Idol)

Jason Crabb (Grammy Award Winner)

Brian Nutter (Guitarist to Keith Urban)

Anthony Smith (Lonestar’s “What About Now” and Chris Young’s “Tomorrow”)

Sam Tate (Chely Wright’s first hit single “Shut Up and Drive” and Reba’s 33rd #1 song “Somebody”)

Bernie Nelson (Achieved ‘million-airplay’ status on his #1 hit “Daddy Never was the Cadillac Kind” and penned hits for Conway Twitty, Wynonna, Kenny Chesney and others.)

Julie Roberts to make SXSW debut

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:00:14 +0000

Country singer-songwriter Julie Roberts has a pretty exciting date next week – her debut at SXSW! The South-by-Southwest Festival will feature the Nashville-based artist on March 16th. About finally playing the Texas music festival, Julie shared:

“I have wanted to play at SXSW for years now. This will also be my first trip to Austin! I’m counting down the hours until I get there. I hope this trip is a first of many I will make to SXSW and Austin!”

Julie’s performance will be a part of a showcase at Rebels Honky Tonk (305 W. 5th Street) Saturday night including Blue Sky Riders, Chip Taylor and more. Roberts will take the stage during the after-midnight portion at 1 a.m. for a 50-minute set.

In addition to the showcase performance, the singer will be a part of an Unofficial SXSW Day Party hosted by Sorted Noise at the Easy Beat (3rd & Trinity Street), Friday, March 15. The free event will begin at 1 p.m. with performances from Roberts, The CO, Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer and more.

Julie Roberts Reschedules Fan Appreciation Party & Announces CMA Fest Plans

Nicole Piering — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:50:47 +0000

With CMA Music Festival only weeks away, Julie Roberts has announced that she’ll open the evening concert at LP Field on June 9th with a performance of the National Anthem. Due to this exciting news, her fan appreciation party scheduled for 3pm will now begin at 11am.

Despite the time change, Roberts is full of excitement about June 9th. “My Fan Club Party is always my favorite event of my entire year! I cannot wait for Saturday, June 9! I am honored to have been asked to open Saturday night at LP field by singing our National Anthem,” Roberts says. “In order to do both the party and anthem, I had to adjust the time for the party a little and I pray that everyone can still come and party with me.”

Although all previously purchased tickets will be honored, fans can email Store@JulieRoberts.com to have their money refunded if they can no longer attend. An email will also be sent to all ticket holders, notifying them of the time change.

Roberts also launched the “Perfectly Perfect Package” this year to bring fans on stage for a special performance, and to her surprise, the packages have completely sold out. “I cannot believe so many of the Perfectly Perfect Packages were sold! This is something new I am doing this year and I think it’s going to be SO MUCH FUN singing with my fans actually onstage with me!,” she said.

If you can’t attend the Fan Club party, you will have plenty of other opportunities to see Julie Roberts at the festival. She will be performing on the Bud Light stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza Thursday, June 7 at 12:30 p.m and she will also be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall. Fans looking to meet Roberts can go to http://cmafest.com beginning TODAY, Monday, May 14 to register for passes as part of the festival’s new Fan Fair Hall procedures. Winners will be notified by the Country Music Association on June 1.

If you’d like to be guaranteed a meet and greet with Julie Roberts, her Fan Appreciation party is the place to be. Ticket packages are on sale now at http://JulieRoberts.com. Roberts is certainly looking forward to meeting her fans. “I am counting down the days to CMA Music Fest! This will be my 7th Annual Fan Club Party and I think it’s going to be the best yet! I cannot wait to see everyone during the week’s festivities!”

Available Ticket Packages:

Almost Perfect Package – $15
- Concert
- Meet & Greet

Perfect Package – $30
- Concert
- Meet & Greet
- Snacks (Alcohol can be purchased at the bar)
- Option to send a song request in for the set list! (Email requests to Store@JulieRoberts.com)
- Exclusive limited edition 8×10 photo
- Exclusive commemorative souvenir from the party
- A chance to win an exclusive, autographed poster

Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town Added To CMA Fest LP Field Lineup

Ted Efron — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:36:39 +0000

CMA Fest has announced the addition of two more big names to the lineup for LP Field: Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town.

Lambert, a three-time winner of the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, has been added to the lineup for Thursday, June 7.

Little Big Town will take to the LP Field stage on Saturday, June 9.

The CMA has also announced the singers selected to perform the national anthem before the start of each night’s concerts. They are: Nashville School of the Arts Madrigal Singers (June 7), The Oak Ridge Boys (June 8), Julie Roberts (June 9) and Sarah Darling (June 10).

The 2012 CMA Fest takes place June 7-10 in Nashville. Select tickets are still available. For more information visit the CMA Fest website HERE.

Julie Roberts Announces CMA Party

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:43:26 +0000

Country music artist Julie Roberts has announced plans for a CMA Fanclub party during this year’s CMA Fest. The “NASCAR Party” singer is giving fans three different options with three packages to help her offset the costs of running the Fan Appreciation Party this year. It’s a two-hour party that, of course, includes music, and for the first time a Fan Silent Auction to help benefit a 4-year old diagnosed with Leukemia. Visit Julie’s official website to see which package is right for you and for more details on her 7th annual party.

The party kicks off at 3 pm on June 9th at the Rutledge. Fans wanting to attend need to purchase one of the three packages to have their names added to the guest list to attend the show. Let us know if you’re going, or what parties you’re excited about going to.

VIDEO: Julie Roberts Debuts “Whiskey and You” Video

Ted Efron — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:04:43 +0000

As promised, Julie Roberts debuted the video for her single “Whiskey and You.” And, also as promised, the video packs a powerful, emotional punch.

When we spoke with Julie last week about the song (read our interview here), she told us she had always been drawn to it. She grew up in a home with alcoholism, so she’s seen first-hand what it can do to someone’s life and family.

“That song just got me the first time I heard it,” says Roberts. “I knew I wanted to record it because I could relate to that – having lived with an alcoholic for 19 years. I just feel it’s something a lot of people live with and deal with. Hopefully it’s a song that can help people.”

”Whiskey and You” originally appeared on Tim McGraw’s 2007 Let It Go album, but as you will hear (and now see) Roberts’ version delivers it with a sorrow and an aching that Tim just can’t touch. This comes not just from her already soulful voice, but from her years of participating in that painful experience.

“Whiskey and You” is the first single off of Robert’s independent release Alive. You can purchase autographed copies of the CD directly through her website at www.julieroberts.com.

She’ll be playing songs from that album, along with previous hits and a few suprises, as she takes her show on the road. She’s appearing at the War Bama Club in Silas, Alabama this Saturday. followed by a show at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville on April 12th. She’ll be adding many more dates very soon. For the latest info, check her website or her Facebook page.

VIDEO: How About A Primetime NASCAR Party?

Ted Efron — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:51:14 +0000

Rain may have postponed the Daytona 500, pushing it from yesterday until (hopefully) tonight. Waiting is about as fun as a missing lug nut, but the delay isn’t putting the damper on race fans’ enthusiasm. If anything, the first postponement in the 54-year history of the event means one more day for a NASCAR party — this time in primetime. Plus, it gives us another reason to share Julie Roberts’ “NASCAR Party” video!

The race is scheduled to get underway shortly after 7pm (ET) and will be broadcast live on FOX. Carl Edwards is on the pole with Greg Biffle on the outside. Defending Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart starts third.

For all of our NASCAR fans out there, leave a message in our comments and let us know who ya got!

EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Julie Roberts

Ted Efron — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:55:39 +0000

It’s fitting that we’re talking with Julie Roberts on the same weekend as the Daytona 500. The “NASCAR Party” singer is revved up and ready to roll.

Her profile may have been a little bit lower the last few years, but the power and passion she brings to everything she does is at an all-time high. She’s battled back from the devastating Nashville flood and finally finds herself on solid footing. She’s managing living with multiple sclerosis and serves as an inspiration as she does so.

Musically, she’s about to make a splash on the small screen. The video for “Whiskey and You,” from her independent-release album Alive, is about to make its debut. The song touches Roberts on a deep, personal and painful level — all of which is reflected in the video.

Along with the video coming out, Roberts is itching to get out and about herself. Fresh off a pair of shows in Maryland, she’s fired up to bring her music directly to her fans.

In the following exclusive interview, we discuss all of these things, along with her take on the independent experience, faith, Facebook and even “clones.”

The first thing I must ask, is how are you doing health-wise?

I’m doing really good. I try to do the best that I can for myself everyday. I try to wake up early and go to the gym with a friend or two or we run trails here in town.

I’ve learned that If I take care of me: If I sleep and I eat right, then I’m good. During the flood time when it was stressful and we were rebuilding, I had symptoms come back like losing the use of my hands. But if I’m taking care of me and my environment is not stressful, then I feel great.

I trained for a 50K this past summer – a trail run. That’s 31 miles and I did it! So I guess I am doing really good!

That’s great to hear! Now, you mentioned last year’s flood. Are you finally rebuilt and recovered from it?

Yes! Onward and upward! I think the final step for me was last Saturday. I was able to get a new car. It’s not new, but it’s new to me!

Yes, I think that was the final step for me. I can put it behind me and move on. We are back in the house – my mom and my sister and me and the dogs. My Mom and my sister had bought cars and I just hadn’t gotten one myself. So now that I have, I’ve moved forward in my mind.

Speaking of your new car, I understand it’s kind of a “clone” of your old car.

It’s is! (Laughs) Do you read my Facebook? (Laughs)

Yes I do!

It’s like a blessing. It has more miles on it than the car that flooded, but when I saw it, it was what I wanted. And I know that I’m supposed to have it because number one: I qualified for my loan! (Laughs) And number two: It was just like my other one. So I feel like in a way that I’ve never lost it. So that’s why I feel like I’ve finally moved on.

My friends were picking me up and taking me everywhere or I was using my Mom’s car or my sister’s car or walking sometimes! Now I kinda have that freedom back. I can drive myself to writing appointments or drive myself to the studio, the grocery store, the gym or meetings or wherever I need to go.

I’m excited! And it is pretty much a clone of my other one that I had just gotten paid off! (Laughs)

Let’s talk about the single “Whiskey and You.” That song first appeared on Tim McGraw’s Let It Go album in 2007. What is it about that song that made you want to record it?

I had that song on my computer since probably about that time (2007). We were looking for songs for my third album; after Men and Mascara. I heard that he had cut it and I waited and waited to see if they were going to release it as his single and they didn’t.

I’ve always loved the song. I always look for songs with lyrics that are powerful and mean something to me. That’s what drew me to “Whiskey and You” to begin with. The video is very much reflective of that.

I grew up in a home with alcoholism, so I’m very aware of what it can do to a family or what it can do to someone’s life. The lyrics tell the story from an alcoholic’s perspective and the line that really hits me the most is “I drink because I’m lonesome and I’m lonesome because I drink.”

That song just got me the first time I heard it. I knew I wanted to record it because I could relate to that – having lived with an alcoholic for 19 years. I just feel it’s something a lot of people live with and deal with. Hopefully it’s a song that can help people.

And the video, I think, is just as powerful. I’m so excited that’s coming out; hopefully in the next week.

To be honest, I prefer your version over Tim’s. To me, yours is so much more soulful, sorrowful and aching. After what you just said, it helps to explain how you’re able to put all of that into the delivery of the song.

Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ve never heard his, on purpose.

I don’t record a song unless it really means something to me. And that song always meant something to me. That’s why I never listened to his version because I wanted it to be my take on the lyrics and the music. I had only been told he recorded it but didn’t want anyone to play it for me.

I love that song and the lyrics and what is says. I’ve been there and I’ve seen it. And I still see it. I might not live in it, but it’s still in my family.

As you mentioned, the video for “Whiskey and You” should be out next week (see the preview video below). After what we’ve already discussed, it sounds like it will be an emotional and gripping one.

I portray an alcoholic, obviously, in the video because that’s who is singing the song. And I got to use my acting skills, finally! I took acting in L.A. for a year when I lived there. Hopefully, I’ll get to use them in a movie on down the road. But I got to use them in this video.

I play somebody who’s really lonely and very sad – sad because of the decisions that she’s made. My character loses her love interest in video because she’s an alcoholic.

I interpreted the video from the very first time I sang the song. When I’m in the studio and I’m singing the vocals behind the microphone, I always see a video in my head. And then Zac Adams, the director, had his ideas, as well. So we have some of his ideas also in the video.

But for the most part, the loneliness and the sadness that I feel in the video is how I always pictured it. I’m really proud of it.

Let’s talk touring. A few weeks ago, you did a couple of shows at the Ram’s Head in Annapolis, Maryland. Those were your first shows outside of Nashville in quite a while. Any nerves about getting back out there or did being with your fans feel more like home to you?

I really wanted to be on the road. And I’ve wanted to be on the road since I came back from L.A., which was the end of 2009. It had been so long since I’d been on the road – and definitely not by choice. It was just life. Life happened, you know. It had been so long so I was definitely nervous, but really excited!

I didn’t want to go back home. I get sad when I get back home. As soon as I’m home, I’m on my computer and like, “Okay, where can I play next? Where can I play next?” And I’m calling around venues, but then I have to tell myself, “Okay, Julie. You’ve got a booking agent now. Let them do their job!’ (Laughs) But I just want to be gone all of the time!

It was so exciting for me and it was so sad for me when I got on that plane to come back. I love Nashville, but I’m so happy on the road. That’s where I want to be and where I’m doing what I’m meant to do on my journey in this life. I don’t want to be at home looking up venues or emailing. I want to be at the venues!

Of course, you’re still promoting your album, Alive, which came out last summer. The album is an independent release. How much of a learning experience has that been having to do it all by yourself?

It was definitely a huge learning curve. Things like learning about licensing songs that I did not write; bar codes and ISRC codes; and the kind of stuff like learning how to get your music on iTunes and CD Baby. Then learning what kind of CD cases you want your CD to be in if you want to sell physical copies. All of that was a huge learning curve. Every day is a learning curve. Thankfully, I have great friends that help me out with some of these things.

I’m actually meeting with Jason Collum, my producer, in a little bit to discuss how we can continue promoting Alive and at the same time working on the next project. So every day, I’m learning something new and I’m always trying to find ways to reach people who don’t know I have new music out.

I run into that every day. People write on my Facebook, “Hey! When are you getting new music?” And I say, “Well, I released Alive.” And they didn’t know about Alive. Or I’m in the grocery store or somewhere in Nashville and somebody says, “Hey! Aren’t you that singer?” And I say,“Yeah.” And they say, “When are you gonna release new music?” That’s happened to me twice in the grocery store in the last month!

That’s what I’m running into so I’m still trying to find ways to let people know that Alive is out and I’m alive and I’m here and making music and getting back out on the road!

One of the standout songs is “Stronger,” where you’re talking about life and the sometimes painful path we all have to walk down. What inspired you to write that song?

Well, you can definitely relate it to a lot of people’s lives and a lot of parts of my life. I wrote that one with Don Schlitz. Don and I were part of a prison tour where we went into prisons around the country and played music for about a year a half. The tour was after the flood and actually also prior to the floor.

I was playing women’s prisons with Don and with Marcus Hummon and The Magdalene Foundation, out of Nashville. We met a lot of women with stories about their lives that were really sad. I realized that these women who were in prison aren’t that much different than me. I could’ve chosen a different path. Music saved me. I didn’t grow up in a perfect home, like most of these women we met. I turned to music and a lot of these women turned to the streets.

That inspired Don and me to write “Stronger.” I’ve sung it in a prison since then and it really connected with the women. That’s who we were thinking about when we wrote those lyrics: those women and their stories. They feel like people have left them, but they always have faith and they always have God. And that’s how I’ve always felt, too, about my own life.

Obviously faith is a major part of your life. Would you like to share that with us?

It’s definitely a major part of my life. If I didn’t have my faith, I probably wouldn’t be talking to you right now! (Laughs) There’s been so many stumbling blocks and so many things that could’ve made me quit at this point in my life from following my dreams.

I believe in my heart that God is with me every single second of my day. He wants me to sing and has put these dreams in my soul. And if I keep my faith and continue working hard, I will keep finding ways around the things that try to stop me – whether it’s a health thing or whether it’s a flood.

When I was a little girl I prayed every night that I could get a record deal. I prayed every night. And I got my record deal. Now I pray every single night that I can just sing and play shows and make music for the rest of my life and make a living doing it.

I feel like that’s my purpose. God will guide me and help me. He helped me figure out how to make a record. He helped me figure out how to get it out. He helped me get that show in Maryland on my own. He even helped me talk to you today!

Everything I do every day I couldn’t do without my faith. Everything that happens in my life is because I believe that it was God’s purpose and meant to be. If something doesn’t happen that I want to, then it wasn’t meant to be. But I never give up! (Laughs)

For those of us who “like” you on Facebook and follow you on Twitter, we know you’re such a positive person. You project such love, joy and appreciation for even the little things in life that so many of us may take for granted. What’s your secret?

Honestly, I wake up wanting to look at my Facebook. That’s also kinda what keeps me going. I know that people out there love what I do and are supporting my dreams. So I look forward to talking with them on Facebook. I do have bad days, like everybody does. During those days, I just don’t write on there! (Laughs)

But I truly do feel very blessed to be able to talk with everybody on there. And I’m excited that I can write things that really have nothing to do with my music; just things about my life. “Here’s my dog Lucy! She got her hair done today!” I like to share that kinda stuff, too.

That’s why I look forward to it. I can talk with my friends. I call them my “Facebook Family” because I feel like I can tell them anything I want about my life on there. I look forward to it every day.

And I try to be positive! Because I feel like I’m fortunate in a lot of ways. I don’t take anything in my life for granted.

*******

You can order autographed copies of Alive from Julie’s website. Plus, you can join her “Facebook Family” by clicking here and her Twitter here.

Julie Roberts’ Blue Christmas Featured On CW Monday

Lydia Picknell — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:54:01 +0000

Country music singer Julie Roberts loves the holidays. She released a Christmas EP titled “Who Needs Mistletoe” last month, and now she’s announced that one of her favorite tracks from the album will be featured on Monday’s episode of “Heart Of Dixie” on CW.

“I am so excited about my recording of (the song) being featured on ‘Hart of Dixie,’” Roberts said. “When I first told my fans about it, they were so excited because they love the show and I do too!”

The song will appear in the show’s Christmas episode, titled “Hairdos and Holidays,” airing at 9 pm EST on Monday. The characters of the small town are busy preparing for the Christmas season, and their annual Miss Cinnamon Cider pageant.

“‘Hart of Dixie’ features so much music and I think that’s awesome,” Roberts said. “Music in movies and television to me is so important for the mood and excitement of a scene. I am just so excited they chose one of my favorite songs from my new Christmas EP.”

Julie’s version of “Blue Christmas” is the opening track on her Christmas EP, now available at all digital music retailers. She’s offering a special package on her official website for her fans, which includes a personalized, autographed copy of the CD, Christmas cards, an 8×10 photo and even a phone call from Julie herself on Christmas day.

REVIEW: Julie Roberts – Who Needs Mistletoe (EP)

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:48:43 +0000

Julie Roberts has been known for her country-blues fused voice. She moved out of the spotlight for a few years to focus on herself in California, and now she’s back to help fans get into the Christmas spirit with a 7-song EP “Who Needs Mistletoe.” She released her album yesterday on her independent label, Aint Skeerd Records. She managed to combine a traditional feel with modern production in this EP, to give fans of both classic and modern country music something they could enjoy.

Julie has a unique, powerful voice which she shows off very well in the short album. Her EP is sure to get country music fans in the mood for the Christmas season. The EP features one original Christmas song co-written by Julie and her producer, and six favorite songs from her childhood. Read our track by track review below:

“Blue Christmas” was the perfect choice to kick off the EP with. The song is hard to master if you don’t have the perfect bluesy voice to fit the soul of the song, but Julie does perfectly. The simple production on the track fits her voice perfectly. While some singers try to over sing the song, Julie uses the song to show off her vocal capabilities.

“Who Needs Mistletoe” is the title track to the album, and is a sassy little tune where Julie asks if the man is in a giving mood, but she doesn’t need mistletoe because she’d rather be “under” him. It’s a sexy little song that she co-wrote with Jason Collum. She sent the song out to radio Monday night, and I’m pretty sure we’ll be hearing a lot of it this holiday season. It’s a short little song but it gets you right into the Christmas mood. I always love hearing original country music songs on the radio during the Winter, and I fully expect to hear a lot of this single the next few weeks.

The third song is “Pretty Paper,” a Christmas song that we don’t really hear covers of much anymore. From the start of the song you can hear the strong country vibe, and her vocals are just as strong here as they are in the opening track. It’s a wonder why Julie isn’t more popular than she is with the pretty blues-soaked voice that she has. Her version is a throwback to the days of classic country and listening to the Grand Ole Opry broadcasts over the radio.

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” is one of my favorite Christmas songs during the Holiday season. Julie once again keeps things simple, but that’s what makes it so beautiful: her voice is mesmerizing. Her version has the country but still Christmas mix to it. If she were to have a second single sent to radio from the EP, this would be my pick: although it’s an often-covered song by most artists today, her version is different and her vocals would make it stand out from the rest of the pack.

Julie’s version of “O Holy Night” is very country. While most artists would choose to over shout on this song, or bring in a full orchestra, Julie once again chooses to showcase her voice instead. It’s one of the stronger songs on the EP, and at times her voice reminds me of Kellie Pickler’s ballads.

“Away In A Manger” is another classic country tune that was turned pretty country for the EP. Like the rest of the album, the simple production does wonders for Julie’s version and voice. You can feel her love for the song in her version of the Christmas classic, and that she cut it because she liked the song, not for how popular it is. It’s a nice version that might not stand-out on the radio, but it keeps the Christmas cheer going through the album.

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” closes off the album with a pretty little bow. It’s the perfect song for her voice, with a smoky blues feel to the song. It has a piano-bar feel to the track. It’s a little more jazz or blues than it is country, but that’s what makes it great. Julie knows the limits of her voice, and makes sure to stay true to the song’s original version but still found a way to put her own spin to it. That’s something that’s hard enough to do when covering a song, especially when it’s a Christmas song that everyone knows.

It’s a brave step for any artist to put out an EP, especially a Christmas one where they keep things simple and choose to record it for the love of the season. Julie managed to pull it off perfectly, and her EP should be a welcome gift for any country music fan. I wish it were a full length studio album since the quality is that good. Julie’s choice in songs, and her delivery on those songs, shows off her strength and how pretty her soulful voice really is. Instead of covering the most popular Christmas songs (like “Jingle Bells”), she picked the perfect songs that work for her voice, and the songs that she would be able to put her own spin on while keeping true to the real sound of the tracks. It’s a record to be proud of, and shouldn’t be judged any differently than a full-length album. It’s quality and sure to get anyone in the mood for the next few weeks.

Julie’s “Who Needs Mistletoe” EP is a perfect fit to any Christmas collection you may already have at your Christmas parties this season. Her EP is available now on all digital music retailers.

RATING: 4 out of 5

DOWNLOAD: Who Needs Mistletoe, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, O Holy Night.