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Reyna Roberts

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Reyna Roberts
Roberts in 2024
Born (1997-08-15) August 15, 1997 (age 27)[1]
Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • entertainer
Years active2020–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Piano
Websitereynaroberts.com

Reyna Roberts is an American country singer-songwriter and pianist. She was featured on Beyoncé's single "Blackbiird", which charted at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for two People's Choice Country Awards in 2024. She was the first female country artist to ever perform at a Rolling Loud music festival, and she has shared the stage with Luke Combs and Orville Peck and toured with Reba McEntire and Jamey Johnson.[2][3] Her single "Stompin' Grounds" was featured multiple times on ESPN's Monday Night Football.[4]

One of the few visible Black women in country music, Roberts is known for advocating for "acknowledging the past" of country music, which includes acknowledging Black artist mentors such as Lesley Riddle, and learning the history of the banjo and the term "Music City" for Nashville.[5]

Early life

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Reyna Roberts was born on August 15, 1997 in Anchorage, Alaska. Both of her parents were combat engineers in the Army and she was raised in Alabama and California.[6][7] She was born two months premature, weighing two pounds, and doctors told her parents to play her music to help boost her brain development.[8][9]

The first time Roberts performed music was at the age of three, when her mother took her to a karaoke bar in Alaska.[8] When she was 10 years old, her family lost their home but paid for a storage unit to store her piano so Roberts could continue practicing the instrument. She continued playing in the family storage unit for three years.[10]

Roberts moved with her parents multiple times in her childhood, living in Alaska, Alabama, Tennessee and California.[11] Their move to California was to further her music career, not because of her parents' work.[7]

Throughout high school Roberts competed on her high school wrestling team, and she began songwriting to woo the captain of the team.[12][9] She recorded the resulting song, "Lying to Myself", in 2014. In 2016, she released the EP The Beginning, which included the song "I'm Coming For Ya", and was a featured guest on the Spring High School Nation Tour. She toured around the U.S. which also included performances by the Plain White T's.[11][13]

Career

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Roberts lived in Nashville and Los Angeles from 2018 to 2020, going to songwriting camps to learn the craft and network with other songwriters and artists, and she met managers Ryan McMahan and Larry Pareigis during this period. She permanently relocated to Nashville in March 2020.[14][15]

In June 2020, country-music singer Mickey Guyton posted a video of Roberts performing a cover of Carrie Underwood's song "Drinking Alone"; Carrie Underwood retweeting the video gave Roberts industry recognition and starting traction in the country-music business.[10][16] Roberts stated, "I was stunned. To see her extend that level of kindness and support was humbling."[10][17] In July 2020, Roberts released "Stompin' Grounds", (co-written and produced by Noah Henson) with Rolling Stone writing it "could go to bat with any song in the Top 20 on country radio right now."[18]

Roberts joined CMT's Next Women in Country 2021 class along with Ashland Craft, Priscilla Block, Brittney Spencer, Hannah Dasher, MacKenzie Porter, Harper Grae, Tenille Arts, Sacha, and Chapel Hart.[19][20] In March 2021, she was named one of RADIO.COM's "Leading Ladies" of Country Music.[21]

She toured with Jamey Johnson on his 2021 summer tour, opening for him in seven cities.[22] In August, she performed in her first festival in Washington State at the Watershed Fest.[23]

In August 2021, Roberts signed on with Nashville-based publishing company Eclipse Music Group but later decided to part ways with them.[24][25] In October 2021, Roberts was featured in Amazon Music's "Breakthrough Country Live" initiative.[26] She released her debut album, Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1, in 2023 and the NFL Network used her song "See Me Win" as part of their 2023 Spotlight Series.[27][28]

In April 2024, Roberts was featured on Beyoncé's eighth studio album Cowboy Carter, both on the second track, a cover of the Beatles' "Blackbiird", and sang background vocals on the 25th track "Tyrant".[29] She announced the winners for "Best Duo/Group Video of the Year" onstage at the 2024 CMT Music Awards and auditioned on America's Got Talent season 19.[30][31][32] Roberts' "Raised Right" won a Hollywood Independent Music Award in the Country (Crossover) category in 2024, as well.[33][34]

Roberts performed live with Diane Warren at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in November 2024.[35] Also in November 2024, Roberts was the first country female artist to ever perform at a Rolling Loud music festival.[36]

Advocacy

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In addition to her music career, Roberts has raised money for military service members and veterans, as well as Rett syndrome awareness, the Wounded Warrior Project, Teen Impact Affiliates, and the Empowerment Project.[25][37] She and her family are in the process of founding an organization to support homeless veterans.[38]

Artistry

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Roberts has cited Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Gretchen Wilson, Rihanna and Beyoncé among her musical influences.[8][21][39] The singer also explained that she grew up listening to Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Gretchen Wilson and the Chicks.[40]

After moving to Nashville in 2020, Roberts has written and performed with the likes of Jamey Johnson.[9]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details Notes
Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1[41] Release date: September 8, 2023
Label: EMPIRE Nashville[42]
The Lost Files Release date: September 23, 2024[43]

Singles

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Title Details Collaborators Notes
"Lying to Myself"[44] Release date: 2016
"67 (Winchester)"[45] Release date: January 31, 2019
"Stompin' Grounds"[46] Release date: July 24, 2020
Distributed by Orchard/Sony 		Noah Henson – co-writer Used by ESPN in their Monday Night Football broadcasts[47] Included in ESPN's "Grind Mode" playlist on Spotify
"Raised Right"[48] Release date: August 27, 2021 Danny Myrick – co-writer
Kylie Sackley – co-writer
"Countdown to Victory"[49] Release date: October 15, 2021 Noah Henson – co-writer Written for ESPN in their Monday Night Football broadcast (Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans on October 18, 2021)[50]

Extended Plays

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Title Details Songs Notes
The Beginning[44] Released: 2016? "I'm Coming For Ya"

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Work Category Result Ref.
2024 People's Choice Country Awards "Blackbiird" (with Beyoncé, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer and Tiera Kennedy) The Collaboration Song of 2024 Nominated [51]
The Cover Song of 2024 Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Reyna Roberts". TV Insider. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Reyna Roberts Tours & Concerts". Concert Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Orville Peck with Reyna Roberts". The Basement Nashville. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "Featured Music - Ep 1 - Reyna Roberts - Stompin' Grounds". Hallmark Channel. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Moss, Marissa R. (2020-07-24). "Reyna Roberts Is Claiming Her Spot on Your Country Hits Playlist". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  6. ^ "Reyna Roberts". TV Insider. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "20 Questions With Reyna Roberts: How the Country Upstart Is Staking Her Claim". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  8. ^ a b c Day, Nate (2021-02-15). "Country singer Reyna Roberts recalls performing for the first time at 3-years-old: 'Couldn't stop me'". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  9. ^ a b c Bowman, Bethany (2020-09-30). "Music Spotlight: Reyna Roberts". Tennessee Star. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  10. ^ a b c Liptak, Carena (May 6, 2021). "Meet Reyna Roberts: 5 Facts About the Rising Country Star". Country Now. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Justin, Trevor (2020-08-19). "Reyna Roberts Talks New Single "Stompin' Grounds," Mickey Guyton and Veteran Family Inspiration". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  12. ^ "20 Questions With Reyna Roberts: How the Country Upstart Is Staking Her Claim". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  13. ^ Amanda (11 July 2020). "Rising Country Singer/Songwriter Reyna Roberts Joins The Song Suffragettes Monday, July 13th At 6PM CT". Nashville Music Guide. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  14. ^ Newman, Melinda (August 7, 2020). "20 Questions With Reyna Roberts: How the Country Upstart Is Staking Her Claim". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Phillips, Demi (April 8, 2024). "Who Is Reyna Roberts? The Self-Proclaimed "Princess Of Outlaw Country" Music". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  16. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (May 29, 2024). "What to Know About AGT Country Star, Reyna Roberts". NBC News. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  17. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (May 29, 2024). "What to Know About AGT Country Star, Reyna Roberts". NBC News. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  18. ^ Moss, Marissa R. (July 24, 2020). "Reyna Roberts Is Claiming Her Spot on Your Country Hits Playlist". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  19. ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (January 25, 2021). "Here are CMT's 'Next Women of Country' for 2021". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Newman, Melinda (January 23, 2021). "Meet CMT's Next Women of Country Class of 2021: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Audacy's Leading Ladies Limelight: Reyna Roberts". www.audacy.com. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  22. ^ "Jamey Johnson Announces 2021 Summer Tour Dates". The Nash News. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  23. ^ "Getting Here » Watershed 3 Day Camping & Country Music Festival". Watershed Festival. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  24. ^ "Reyna Roberts signs with MAC Agency". ROSTR. April 15, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Reyna Roberts Stompin' Into Music Industry". Weekly Music Commentary. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  26. ^ Jessica, Nicholson (January 10, 2021). "Amazon Music's Country Heat Surpasses 13 Billion Streams: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  27. ^ "Reyna Roberts'Heart is on her Sleeve in debut album 'Bad Girl Bible Vol. 1". Taste of Country. August 22, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  28. ^ "REYNA ROBERTS "ONE WAY STREET" VIDEO PREMIERE". Music & Musicians. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  29. ^ McClay, Caché (May 24, 2024). "Reyna Roberts, featured on Beyoncé album, to compete on 'America's Got Talent'". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  30. ^ "2024 CMT Music Awards Take Over Austin, Texas [Recap] by LB Cantrell". Music Row. April 8, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  31. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (May 29, 2024). "'Cowboy Carter' Contributor Reyna Roberts Performs on 'America's Got Talent'". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (May 29, 2024). "Reyna Roberts is Featured on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter,' Performed with Luke Combs, and May Be the Next 'America's Got Talent' Country Star". American Songwriter. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  33. ^ "2024 Nominations Table | Hollywood Independent Music Awards".
  34. ^ "2024 Winners Hollywood Independent Music Awards".
  35. ^ "Diane Warren backstage, Best Song - Feature Film". HMMA. November 21, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  36. ^ "'Cowboy Carter' collaborators to be first country artists to perform at Rolling Loud by CACHÉ MCCLAY, USA TODAY NETWORK". USA Today. November 13, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Bonaguro 1/23/2021, Alison. "CMT Reveals the Next Women of Country Class of 2021". CMT News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "Female Friday: Reyna Roberts". Sounds Like Nashville. 2021-06-04. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  39. ^ Denis, Kyle (June 17, 2024). "Reyna Roberts Talks Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Impact: 'It's So Interesting to See How People Treat Me Now'". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  40. ^ Despres, Tricia (October 1, 2021). "Country Artist Reyna Roberts Has Been a Fighter Since Birth: 'There's Always Been a Fire in Me'". People. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  41. ^ Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1, retrieved 2024-03-25
  42. ^ Major, Michael (2023-09-11). "Reyna Roberts Releases Her Debut Album 'Bad Girl Bible, Vol 1'". Broadway World. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  43. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (2024-09-23). "Reyna Roberts Releases 'The Lost Files'". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  44. ^ a b "REYNA ROBERTS VIDEO "I'M COMING FOR YA" – Skope Entertainment Inc". 20 December 2016. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  45. ^ 67 (Winchester), retrieved 2021-08-19
  46. ^ Stompin' Grounds, retrieved 2021-08-19
  47. ^ "Meet the Black Female Artists Reshaping Country Music". Nashville Scene. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  48. ^ Raised Right, retrieved 2021-09-16
  49. ^ "Release group "Countdown to Victory" by Reyna Roberts - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  50. ^ www.cmt.com (2021-10-19). "Reyna Roberts Premieres Tennessee Titans-Themed Track On Monday Night Football". Showbizhype. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  51. ^ Grein, Paul (August 14, 2024). "Zach Bryan, Beyoncé & More Lead 2024 People's Choice Country Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
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