My proudest moments with Weekly Music Commentary have come when I selected an up and coming artist who eventually went on to break into the music business soon after their post There have been several artists featured (Sevyn Streeter) without an album. Some (K Michelle) without a major record deal. This week I have an opportunity to feature an artist without either but creating a major buzz within the music industry. This week, I am featuring young country music singer/songwriter Reyna Roberts. Not close to achieving the iconic status many young artists quickly attain today, Roberts appears ready to forge her path toward certain success. How did she get to this point? Why do most industry insiders feel she is an artist to watch? Like many before her, the answers might be found in her background.
From a young age, Reyna’s parents (both Army veterans) exposed her to many artists across various genres of music: Aretha Franklin, The Chicks, Led Zeppelin, Christina Aguilera, Gretchen Wilson, Destiny’s Child, and Journey to name a few. This early exposure to music created the soundtrack of her life. Reyna’s first performance was at three years old at a bar in Fairbanks, Alaska where she sang “Lady Marmalade.”
One thing that happens in military families is a lot of traveling. In fact, sometimes life can be quite difficult for children of military parents because they never cultivate long time friendships. Roberts’ parents moved and lived in Alaska, Alabama and California. The moves possibly had a great deal to do with her choice in music. It was country music that captured her heart.
In 2014, Reyna recorded her first song, “Lying to Myself,” illustrating a crush on the captain of her high school wrestling team. In addition to her athletic abilities and undying passion for music, Reyna is also an active volunteer within the community. She has performed to assist in fundraising efforts for organizations such as Rett Syndrome Awareness, The Wounded Warrior Project, Teen Impact Affiliates, and the Empowerment Project. Because of family experiences with PTSD and other mental health disorders, Reyna is a committed advocate in supporting military service members and veterans.
Yes, the background of an artist proves to be the catalyst for decisions not only in choice of music, but also social awareness. Reyna Roberts’ story starts like most artists of our day; on social media. The ability to post covers of music provides an opportunity to gain notice. That’s exactly what happened to Reyna Roberts.
The aspiring country music singer posted a video singing the Carrie Underwood song “Drinking Alone”. Reyna Roberts explained what happened next.
“I have to acknowledge Mickey Guyton’s post of my video. Carrie Underwood saw it and retweeted it. It’s important to me to address Mickey’s action because without her, I don’t think Carrie would have ever seen my video. Supporting me at that level allowed my voice, my songs, and my music to be heard around the world. I was in the kitchen with my mom and bonus dad when I saw the retweet. I saw her profile picture, then her name, then the blue check, then did a double-take. I was stunned. I showed my mom the phone, she was speechless, too. I have a hilarious video of the reactions from my dad and my bonus dad when I told them.”
Of course at this point everyone can see that Reyna Roberts is African-American. Of course, she is not the first black artist to look to begin a career in country music. Mickey Guyton, whom I featured a while back, has established herself within the genre. Nevertheless, not many artists of color choose country music, or enjoy career success. That might be changing as time goes on.
In a Billboard.com interview a few months ago, Roberts was asked what could be done in the country music community to make a Black artist feel more welcome? Her answer said a lot in few words.
“Play my songs on the radio and pay tribute to African American country music pioneers. Start by posthumously inducting Rufus Payne and Lesley Riddle into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Women in country aren’t played much on country radio, black women even less. Also, not automatically think that I’m in country music because of the time we’re in. I’ve been writing country music for awhile, not jumping on board. I’m not a gimmick, what you see is what you get. This is me.”
Reyna Roberts displayed great awareness historically and institutionally. Of course there is a push for diversity overall, and Roberts is in the middle of the drive. However, she explained that she did not come to a decision to perform recently. Reyna Roberts has been working at this for a while. She just happens to be a black woman pushing for a music career in country music.
Roberts has delivered a song that might open more ears to the young singer. She continues to lay it all on the line for fans with the unmatched success of her stand-out single, “Stompin’ Grounds.” This hard-hitting Alabama anthem has recently been picked up by ESPN and was featured during Monday Night Football. In addition, “Stompin’ Grounds” can now be found on the official ESPN Music ‘Grind Mode’ playlist on Spotify.
I will say that Reyna Roberts has a tremendous voice. As I listened to Stompin’ Grounds I wondered what could have happened if she chose R & B music instead of country. Most likely her songwriting and influences have lead her to country, and there is nothing wrong with that. Nevertheless, she has the kind of voice that should propel her to some longevity career wise.
Reyna Roberts remains humble and forever thankful for the support of her passions, she continues to make headlines in features for notable media outlets across the world including Rolling Stone, Billboard, American Songwriter, The Boot, and Wide Open Country to name a few. Add Weekly Music Commentary to that list. In fact, I’m looking forward to sometime in the future when I can point to this post and tell readers I featured Reyna Roberts in the beginning of her career.