Bluegrass Born & Raised
“I’m a bluegrass baby,” declared 23-year-old Jaelee Roberts, lead singer/guitarist with Sister Sadie and nominee for IBMA’s 2024 Female Vocalist of the Year, recipient of SPBGMA’s 2023 Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, nominee for IBMA’s 2022 New Artist of the Year, and recipient of IBMA’s 2021 Momentum Vocalist of the Year. Born with her own pedigree, she has bluegrass in her blood. Her dad, Danny Roberts, is mandolinist with The Grascals, a founding member of New Tradition, a former plant manager for Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments and a luthier. Her mom, Andrea Mullins Roberts, is Owner/Agent at The Andrea Roberts Agency and former bassist with Special Consensus and Petticoat Junction.
“I could sing before I could talk. I was around music since I was literally in the womb. My mom said that I would dance in her stomach when she turned on Blue Highway. I grew up singing at Redemption Baptist Church in Christiana, Tennessee.”
Roberts started fiddle at age four. “My fiddle teacher wasGail Johnson. She played in Petticoat Junction with my mom and Gena (Britt). When I got older, I took lessons from both Gail and Deanie Richardson (who is now my band mate). It’s all connected!”
The talented youth wanted to explore more instrumentally. “Around 12 or 13, I wanted to play guitar and got one for Christmas. Dad and Mom both showed me stuff. I also went to Main Stage Music & Dance Studio taking clogging, vocal, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar lessons. I competed in singing, clogging, and instrumental contests and would sing with my dad’s band, The Grascals, once and awhile so I would get some stage time.”
In her mid-teens, Roberts began performing with the Rebekah Long (now Speer) Band. “I played fiddle and sang harmony with her for a couple of years while I was still in high school.”
Her longtime boss shared, “The first time I heard Jaelee sing at Tom T and Dixie’s for the final Daughters of Bluegrass project, I knew she was destined to be a powerhouse in the industry. When I began my solo career and needed a female singer to join me, I didn’t hesitate. I called her mother right away to ask if I could bring Jaelee, just 15 or 16 years old at the time, on the road with me. She played mandolin, fiddle, and sang like a bird. I often told the audience that one day, I’d be carrying her bags!”
About this same time, Roberts began doing studio work. “I started singing harmony on people’s albums.” Thefirst two full albums she sang background vocals on were with Daryl Mosley and Ray Cardwell. “I did a lot of work for Dirk Johnson who is one of my favorite piano players and producers. He produces a lot of individual country andgospel artists and I got to sing harmonies on several of those projects.”
A multi-instrumentalist, Roberts, has lately been focusing on the six-string. “When I got asked to audition for Sister Sadie in 2020, I decided it was time to really, really practice guitar. That’s when I got super-duper serious about it. It was during COVID, so no live shows were happening. I will never forget. I had just gotten out of the shower and I got a call from Deanie. I answered and she asked, ‘Hey, do you know anybody that would be interested in auditioning for a spot in Sister Sadie?’ I told her I could look around. She went on to say, ‘I was wondering if you’d like to audition?’”
The young singer/musician was completely taken off guard. “I asked, ‘Me? You want me to audition?’ I thought there is no way that this is happening. I asked for a list of songs to learn. I was already a fan of Sister Sadie and was listening to both their albums. This was a crazy super group of women that I had looked up to my whole life and the fact that this was happening, and I was just 19 was insane to me. They sent a list of several songs to learn. I practiced those songs day and night. I knew them in and out. I went to Tina Adair’s house for the audition, and we all sat socially distanced out on her back porch and jammed these songs.”
The Sadie ladies felt the audition went well and promised Roberts that she would hear from them soon. “A month passed, Deanie called and said, ‘Hey, we want to try you out in a live setting, but there’s no shows now due to COVID so would you be up to playing the Opry with us?’ My whole body just shut down. I was so excited! I thought, ‘There’s no way that my dream is about to come true.’ It was my first time to play the Grand Ole Opry AND it was my live audition AND it was live on television.”
She readily agreed. “I was so nervous, and it still doesn’t feel real. It was December 5, 2020. We did three songs and it was for the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Bluegrass Music. Not long after that, they texted and wanted to do a group Facetime and they asked, ‘How would you like to be a member of Sister Sadie?’ I freaked out! Eversince then it’s been like dream after dream coming true!”
Deanie noted, “I have known Jaelee Roberts since she was born. I played in a band with her dad, Danny Roberts, when I was a teenager. I remember hearing Jaelee sing as a young girl and knew there was something special there. I watched her from a distance for her younger years and then got to work with her in the Kids on Bluegrass program during the IBMA World of Bluegrass conference. She blew me away.
“Her knowledge of singing and the passion that she was able to put into a song was way beyond her years. She has an ear like no one I’ve worked with. You put her into a recording studio and she will knock out as many parts as you need in no time. She hears harmonies so well. When Sister Sadie needed a new lead singer, we called on Jaelee. That was the best decision we’ve ever made. She is so versatile and has studied the greatest singers in many genres of music. I’ll never forget a road trip she and I did together where we were listening to Whitney Houston. I just sat back and listened to her sing the harmony parts to every line and run that Whitney sang. I was completely freaking out at how good she was.
“Growing up around music like she did, Jaelee knows and loves music like no other. I say on stage every time I introduce her, ‘I’ve traveled all over the world for many years with many singers and she is absolutely one of my top three singers I’ve ever been on stage with.’ She’s a confident, strong, versatile singer who knows exactly how to tell you the story of every song she sings. You will feel it when Jaelee Roberts sings it.”
Sister Sadie banjoist, Gena Britt, chimed in, “When it came time for Sister Sadie to get a new lead vocalist, Jaelee was at the top of our list. Her songwriting, guitar playing, and incredible vocals just keep getting better and better. I worked in a band with her mom, Andrea, in Petticoat Junction and getting to play in a band with Jaelee now is definitely a full circle moment. So, I’ve literally known her since she was a baby. She grew up with both of her parents being in the music industry, and she is very mature musically and professionally. I couldn’t be more proud of her! I cannot wait to see what her future holds. Not only is she talented, but she has the sweetest spirit and makes me laugh constantly. Love her to pieces and I’m SO glad that’s she’s here.”
Roberts became one busy lady. “The age of 19 was a big year for me. I got contacted by Mountain Home Music Company. They signed me to a recording contract and I went to work on an album. It took a while because of COVID, but my debut album, Something You Didn’t Count On, eventually released in May 2022. I’m just blessed and honored for that opportunity. I also started as a freshman at Middle Tennessee State University (in Murfreesboro).”
“Tim Surrett produced my first album. Tim, my parents, and I all sat down and talked about instrumentalists for the album, and it was an all-star band. I grew up around all these insanely talented singers and musicians. I can’t look back at a time and think of them not being in my life. Tony Wray, one of the most amazing musicians that I have ever known, played guitar. Kristin Scott Benson, from The Grascals and one of my favorite banjo players was onbanjo; Alan Bibey played mandolin; Jimmy Mattingly played fiddle and Tim Surrett played bass and Dobro along with some harmony vocals. Kenny & Amanda Smith and Kelsi & Paul Harrigill also sang harmony. Vince Gill sang on ‘Landslide’ with me. I had met him, but didn’t know him at that point. Tim reached out to Vince and that’s how that happened. My debut album is like my baby. I am so proud of it.”
Surrett related, “I’ve known her since she was very small. It was obvious that she was going to be a force in our music. I think she is a generational talent, and I was honored to help in her debut recording!”
Roberts justwrapped up album number two in August. “Thethird single “Between the Two of Us” (from the soon-to-be-released project) just came out. The first two singles were “Stuck in the Middle With You” and “Georgia Rain.” Once again, the new album has a great line-up of incredible musicians. Cody Kilby is on guitar; Byron House is playing bass, Ron Block is playing banjo and guitar, Stuart Duncan played fiddled on several songs and Andy Leftwich is playing fiddle on four songs. Andy Leftwich also plays mandolin; Justin Moses on Dobro, John Gardner on percussion and Russ Pahl on steel. John Cowan, Steven Mougin, and Kelsi Harrigill sang harmony along with my lifetime friend, Grayson Lane. I am so pumped for this album, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the entire album!”
All of this is in addition to recent work with Sister Sadie. “So many new and exciting things are happening for us. Our currentalbum No Fear come out in January and is nominated for IBMA Album of the Year. We just finished recording another album that is on the horizon and we’ll be releasing a new single from that very soon. We’ve had a big year with touring and playing the Grand Ole Opry. We have been so busy, and I am so thankful. We have the best time together and I love the music that we make together. We keep pushing forward.”
Roberts remains busy as solo artist. In the middle of her recent recording session in Asheville, she and her mom drove through the night so she could sing on the Opry with Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland. She said, “They were debuting their new single ‘Outrun the Rain,’ and they invited me to sing it with them and I wasn’t going to miss out on that. Vince Gill and I sang the harmony on the recording which is awesome and I’m so happy to be included. I’ve been doing some cool stuff and a lot of it involves singing BGVs which is one of my absolute favorite things. Life is really going by so fast these days. I graduated a year ago and there were times when I said, ‘I just don’t know if this is going to happen! I’m not going to graduate!’ I was traveling with Sister Sadie and writing papers on the way to the airport or in a van while we were driving five hours in Colorado. It was crazy, but I worked so hard, graduated, and have my degree. I was a commercial songwriting major with a music business focus. I want to give a big shout out to MTSU because that is a huge part of who I am now. I not only learned about music itself, but how to navigate the music business as a girl in the music industry.”
Roberts is a gifted songwriter. “I love songwriting. I started at a really young age, and I have a specific memory that relates to the beginning of my desire to write songs. My mom and I would always park in the driveway and listen to the Opry. One time, when I was seven, I was listening to Little Jimmy Dickens, and the Opry went off and ‘Heartbreaker’ by Dolly Parton came on and I thought I really want to write a song because that song made me feel something. I went inside and wrote a song about an old train station.
“Even before then, I was a big Hanna Montana fan. I had a little Hanna Montana electric guitar and there’s a video of my dad playing that guitar and I’m singing a heartbreak song that I wrote. As I got older, I got more serious about songwriting, and I really started writing more during my teens. It’s such a cool way to express yourself. In college, I started learning more about co-writing and the depth of being a good songwriter and I learned so much about the process from my professors. I really love co-writing because you get to take an idea that you have or someone else has and then the collective thoughts and feelings go into it. I have co-written with Donna Ulisse, Jerry Salley, Dani Flowers, Deanie Richardson, Gena Britt, Jon Weisberger, Odie Blackmon (my songwriting mentor, former professor, and friend), Kristin Leigh Bearfield, Kelli Kingery, Mallory Eagle and Theo McMillian. Theo and I have written several songstogether and I always end up recording songs that we write. I hope to never stop writing.”
Roberts explained her songwriting process. “A lot of times the lyrics come first, but it just depends. I’ll be driving and I’ll have a melody in my head, and I’ll sing it into my phone. Or, sometimes I’ll have the lyrics in my head and I’ll speak them into my voice memo or I’ll pull over and write them in my notes app. I’m usually more of a lyrics person first but it’s not the same every time. Co-writing is always different because you’re mixing your processes with others.”
Creative times vary, too. “I have song ideas that I had three years ago and then I’ll think, ‘I’ve got better ideas to build on to that now’. It all depends. I’ve had songs come fast and I’ve had them come slow.”
Roberts has racked up quite a list of accolades. “Being nominated for an award is the most surreal feeling in the world. When I saw I was nominated for IBMA’s Momentum Award, I thought, ‘This is crazy.’ Anytime that I am nominated for an award I am just honored to be on the list of names and never expect to win. When they called my name for winning the Momentum Award, I was so jumbled, but was so thankful. Then to be nominated for IBMA New Artist of the Year was just incredible to me. I was flabbergasted! Then when I was nominated for 2023 SPBGMA awards, I was over-the-moon just to have my name listed with the others. I sat on the very back row of the room, cheering everyone on, and when they said I won Female Vocalist I went running. I couldn’t even say my speech because I was crying. Then I won Album of the Year and I was like, ‘Excuse me? What?’ It was like a whirlwind. I am honored that people seem to love what I am doing as much as I love doing it. It means the world to me.
“Then to be nominated again this year for IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year is really about more than my heart can take. I am just so grateful for all of the continued support and all of the people that are part of my career are so special to me. Everyone…other artists, DJs, promoters, fans, songwriters are all so important to me. Sister Sadie is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year (No Fear), Song of the Year (“Willow), Video of the Year (“Willow”) along with Gena Britt for Banjo Player of the Year, and Deanie Richardson for Fiddle Player of the Year. We are all so thankful.”
With all Roberts has accomplished, three events in particular have significance to her:
“Last year, one of my biggest heroes, Bobby Osborne passed away. I was a huge fan and he is definitely one of the reasons I sing. I loved that man. At his funeral, Gina Keltner and Opry Dan (Rogers) said, ‘This might be an odd time to ask, but Bobby always did what he could to help youth in music and we want to keep that tradition alive. We’d like to invite you to make your Grand Ole Opry debut as Jaelee Roberts.’ I was already a sobbing mess. I was floored. I hugged them and my parents. Ricky and Sharon Skaggs have always been extremely good to me, and they were there to hear about it. I made my solo debut on September 19, 2023, and I have to say that will always be one of the top highlights of my life. When I pulled in the parking lot and had an Opry debut parking spot, I just about lost it. Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, Alan Bartram, Cody Kilby and Deanie Richardson played with me which was a dream-team!
“One of the songs I performed was ‘Something You Didn’t Count On,’ written with my friend Theo and the title of my debut album. I am a huge lover of traditional country music and besides bluegrass, that’s where my heart lies. I also performed one of my very favorite songs, ‘I’m Not Lisa’, by Jesse Colter. I had always dreamed of standing in the Opry Circle and singing that song and that’s one day I’ll never forget as long as I live.”
“Another was when Sister Sadie got to perform for Patty Loveless’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in November 2023. I sang a song that she wrote when she was a teenager called ‘Sound of Loneliness’. I stood on stage and sang that song to her before she got her medal and was inducted. I cried like a baby after both those things.
“Occasionally I fill in with the female gospel band, High Road, and I got to perform on the Dove Awards with them in October 2022. It was a tribute to the women in southern gospel music. It was an amazing experience and definitely a highlight for me!”
Roberts has done more in the past four years than most people accomplish in a lifetime. “I’m loving life and having the best time just doing what I’m doing: making music and writing songs. I hope to do it successfully for the rest of my life. I cannot imagine doing anything else. I love it so much. I eat, sleep, and breathe music—I always have and I always will.”
Even with all the recognition, the young performer clings closely to her faith and is grateful for her God-given talents. “I’m thankful that God has given me the ability. Everything that I’ve done I owe to my Lord and Savior. He isfirst and foremost in my life. I have to be gone a lot on the weekends nowadays, but when I’m home, I’m usually singing in church. I love to sing with kids at church because that is where I got my start.
“I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given. My advice is to never say “no” to any opportunity you are given. You just take it and run with it even if you’re terrified. I do the best I can with the abilities that I’ve been given and practice my butt off. If you’re trying, you’re not failing.”
Spoken like a true bluegrass baby.
