Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Julie Roberts: July 2011
Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2011 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Julie Roberts which she submitted to this site on Wednesday 13 July 2011.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Julie Roberts who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Julie Roberts
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 13 July 2011.
'I've had the great blessing of meeting and sharing the stage with Gene Watson on a couple occasions.
He is a legend in country music and I admire him on so many levels. His vocals have a passion and emotion that is unmatched.
He feels every word that he sings and takes me some place else when I'm listening to him perform'.
Thank you, Julie Roberts, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Julie Roberts...
Julie Roberts was born on Thursday 1 February 1979 in Lancaster, South Carolina and began her life performing in pre-school plays; she was also in school choirs and performed a rendition of 'My Fair Lady' at a singing summer camp.
Julie Roberts began performing country music as a child. When she was in junior high and high school, she toured with her family, playing at festivals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Julie also performed at area nursing homes, where she developed an appreciation for blues music, and worked at Carowinds, a theme park in Charlotte, North Carolina and Dollywood.
Julie Roberts' influences include Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and Tanya Tucker.
Julie first attended USC Lancaster in her hometown from 1997 until 1999 before graduating from Belmont University in Nashville, with a degree in business administration. Julie then began working for Mercury Nashville Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure at the record label, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape.
Julie Roberts signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2004 and saw the release, on Tuesday 25 May 2004, of her self-titled debut album, 'Julie Roberts' (Mercury Records, 2004).
Julie Roberts made her debut that year with the single 'Break Down Here', which reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart.
'Break Down Here' was originally recorded by Trace Adkins as 'I'd Sure Hate To Break Down Here'; Trace included the track on 'Comin' On Strong' (Capitol Records, 2003). However, his version of the song was not released as a single.
Subsequent Billboard singles released from 'Julie Roberts' (Mercury Records, 2004) included 'The Chance' (No.47, 2004) and 'Wake Up Older' (No.46, 2004).
'Julie Roberts' (Mercury Records, 2004) also included 'You Ain't Down Home' (written by Jamie O'Hara) (Jamie O'Hara was one half of the 1980s duo The O'Kanes, the other member being Kieran Kane), 'Unlove Me' (written by Paul Overstreet), 'If You Had Called Yesterday' (written by Kent Blazy), 'No Way Out' (written by Darrell Scott) and 'Rain On A Tin Roof' (written by Trent Willmon).
Jamie O'Hara's 'You Ain't Down Home' was previously recorded by Jann Browne, who included the track on 'Tell Me Why' (Curb Records, 1990).
Darrell Scott's 'No Way Out' was previously recorded by Suzy Bogguss, who included the track on 'Give Me Some Wheels' (Liberty Records, 1996).
Musicians involved in the recording of 'Julie Roberts' (Mercury Records, 2004) included Shannon Forrest (drums), Vince Gill (background vocals on 'Unlove Me' and 'The Chance'), Wes Hightower (background vocals on all tracks except 'Break Down Here' and 'The Chance'), David Hungate (bass guitar), Delbert McClinton (background vocals on 'No Way Out'), Pat McLaughlin (background vocals on 'Break Down Here'), Al Perkins (steel guitar on 'Unlove Me' and 'I Can't Get Over You'), Brent Rowan (electric guitar on all tracks and background vocals and hand claps on 'No Way Out' and Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar on all tracks and mandocello on 'Break Down Here' and 'Pot Of Gold'.
'Julie Roberts' (Mercury Records, 2004) was subsequently certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaked at No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2004.
Julie Roberts' second album for Mercury Records, 'Men & Mascara (Mercury Records, 2006), was released on Tuesday 27 June 2006. Two tracks were released from the album as singles, 'Men And Mascara' and 'Girl Next Door', but neither of them charted.
'Men & Mascara (Mercury Records, 2006) included four of Julie Roberts' compositions; 'Smile' (co-written with Danny Wells and Tony Mullins), 'First To Never Know' (co-written with Danny Wells and Tony Mullins), 'A Bridge That's Burning' (co-written with Danny Wells and Tony Mullins) and 'All I Want Is You' (co-written with Roxie Dean and Mickey Jack Cones).
Julie Roberts' 'Men & Mascara (Mercury Records, 2006) also included 'Mama Don't Cry' (written by Rivers Rutherford and Hillary Lindsey).
Although not charting a single from 'Men & Mascara (Mercury Records, 2006), the album managed to chart even higher than Julie Roberts' debut album. It reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and No.25 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
Julie Roberts made a donation of $124,250 to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital after she, along with contestant Peter Buccellato, won the $100,000 prize in the bonus round on the game show 'Wheel of Fortune' on an episode that aired in February 2007.
John Anderson recorded Julie Roberts' 'A Woman Knows' (co-written with Vicky McGehee and John Rich) and included the track on 'Easy Money' (Raybaw/Warner Bros. Records, 2007).
Julie Roberts and Mercury Records parted company at the beginning of May 2010.
Julie Roberts and Gene Watson at Billy Yates' 'Countriest of the Country' event in Nashville on Wednesday 9 June 2010
Gene Watson and Julie Roberts at Billy Yates' 'Countriest of the Country' event in Nashville on Wednesday 9 June 2010
Julie Roberts was a special guest of Kent Blazy and The For Peace Band at Douglas Corner in Nashville on Friday 28 January 2011; enjoy a performance of the Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 - Thursday 31 March 2011) hit 'Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On'!
Mel McDaniel's seventh album for Capitol Records was 'Let It Roll' (Capitol Records, 1984) and included 'Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On'; the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February/March 1985.
Mel McDaniel: Sunday 6 September 1942 - Thursday 31 March 2011
On Monday 11 May 2011, Julie Roberts issued an official statement stating that she was suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).
Julie Roberts' diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) had taken place in 2006, during the recording sessions for her second album, 'Men & Mascara (Mercury Records, 2006).
After a five-year hiatus from recording, Julie Roberts saw the release, on Tuesday 7 June 2011, of her new independent album project, 'Alive,' which featured the song, 'NASCAR Party'.
The accompanying video for 'NASCAR Party' was posted on Julie Roberts' Official Facebook Profile on Monday 23 May 2011.
Julie Roberts: 'Alive' (2011)
In May 2011, Julie Roberts' newly-designed website was launched.
Visit Julie Roberts' Official Site
Visit Julie Roberts' Official YouTube Channel
Visit Julie Roberts' Official MySpace Site
Visit National Multiple Sclerosis Society