Julie Roberts
Encyclopedia
Julie Roberts is an American country music
singer. Signed to Mercury Nashville in 2004, Roberts made her debut that year with the single "Break Down Here", a Top 20 hit on the Billboard
Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs
) charts and the first track from her self-titled debut album
. A second album for Mercury, Men & Mascara
, followed in 2006. This album produced two non-charting singles in its title track and a cover of Saving Jane's
"Girl Next Door
".
, in 1979. She began her life performing in pre-school plays. She also was in school choirs and performed in a rendition of "My Fair Lady" at a singing summer camp. 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
. She 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
. She also worked with 60 and 70 year-old men performing at nursing homes. Her influences include Dolly Parton
, Barbara Mandrell
and Tanya Tucker
.
She first attended USC Lancaster
in her hometown from 1997 to 1999 before graduating from Belmont University
in Nashville, Tennessee
, with a degree in business administration. Roberts began working for Mercury Nashville Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure there, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape.
's Mercury Nashville division. Her debut single, "Break Down Here
", was released on February 24, 2004. The song had previously been recorded by Trace Adkins
, however, his version was titled "I'd Sure Hate to Break Down Here", and was not released as a single. Roberts released her self-titled debut album
on May 25, 2004. It charted within the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, peaking at #9. "Break Down Here" became a Top 20 single on the Hot Country Songs
chart, however, she never charted within the Top 40 after that. The two follow-up singles, "The Chance" and "Wake Up Older", peaked at #47 and #46 on the country charts, respectively. The album was then certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
on December 13, 2004.
In 2006, she released her fourth single, "Men & Mascara", which would in-turn be the title track to her second album. Men & Mascara
was released on June 27, 2006. Although not charting a single from this album, it managed to chart even higher than her debut album. It reached #4 on the Top Country Albums and #25 on the all-genre Billboard 200
. Included on the album is a cover version
of Saving Jane
's "Girl Next Door
", however, it failed to chart along with the albums title track.
Roberts and Mercury Records parted ways at the beginning of May 2010. Roberts will release her 3rd cd "Alive" on June 7 as an independent artist,with the first single being "NASCAR Party".
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer. Signed to Mercury Nashville in 2004, Roberts made her debut that year with the single "Break Down Here", a Top 20 hit on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
) charts and the first track from her self-titled debut album
Julie Roberts (album)
-Personnel:As listed in liner notes.*Eric Darken – percussion on "Just 'Cause We Can" and "No Way Out"*Shannon Forrest – drums*Vince Gill – background vocals on "Unlove Me" and "The Chance"...
. A second album for Mercury, Men & Mascara
Men & Mascara
-Chart performance:...
, followed in 2006. This album produced two non-charting singles in its title track and a cover of Saving Jane's
Saving Jane
Saving Jane is a band from Columbus, Ohio who are most famous for their hit songs "Girl Next Door", "Come Down To Me", and "SuperGirl".-2002-2008: Girl Next Door, One Girl Revolution & SuperGirl:...
"Girl Next Door
Girl Next Door (song)
"Girl Next Door" is the name of a single released in late 2005 by American pop rock band Saving Jane. The song was a top 40 success on Billboard charts.-Content:...
".
Biography
Julie Roberts was born in Lancaster, South CarolinaLancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
, in 1979. She began her life performing in pre-school plays. She also was in school choirs and performed in a rendition of "My Fair Lady" at a singing summer camp. 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
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. She 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
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
) and Dollywood
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
. She also worked with 60 and 70 year-old men performing at nursing homes. Her influences include Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
, Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer best known for a 1970s–1980s series of Top 10 hits and TV shows that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of the 1970s and 1980s...
and Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
.
She first attended USC Lancaster
University of South Carolina Lancaster
The University of South Carolina Lancaster is a public university located in Lancaster. It is one of the 4 regional USC campuses and is currently a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited two-year school in the USC System...
in her hometown from 1997 to 1999 before graduating from Belmont University
Belmont University
Belmont University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is the largest Christian university in Tennessee and the second largest private university in the state, behind nearby Vanderbilt University.-Belmont Mansion:Belmont Mansion...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, with a degree in business administration. Roberts began working for Mercury Nashville Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure there, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape.
Country music career
Roberts was signed to Universal Music Group NashvilleUniversal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Group Nashville is Universal Music Group's country music subsidiary. Some of the labels in this group include MCA Nashville Records, Mercury Nashville Records, and Lost Highway Records...
's Mercury Nashville division. Her debut single, "Break Down Here
Break Down Here
"Break Down Here" is the debut single from country music singer Julie Roberts. The single is the lead-off to her self-titled debut album that was released on May 24, 2004, via Mercury Nashville. The song debuted in February 2004 and peaked at number 18 on the country music charts...
", was released on February 24, 2004. The song had previously been recorded by Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins
Tracy Darrell "Trace" Adkins is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1996 with the album Dreamin' Out Loud, released on Capitol Records Nashville. Since then, Adkins has released seven more studio albums and two Greatest Hits compilations...
, however, his version was titled "I'd Sure Hate to Break Down Here", and was not released as a single. Roberts released her self-titled debut album
Julie Roberts (album)
-Personnel:As listed in liner notes.*Eric Darken – percussion on "Just 'Cause We Can" and "No Way Out"*Shannon Forrest – drums*Vince Gill – background vocals on "Unlove Me" and "The Chance"...
on May 25, 2004. It charted within the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, peaking at #9. "Break Down Here" became a Top 20 single on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart, however, she never charted within the Top 40 after that. The two follow-up singles, "The Chance" and "Wake Up Older", peaked at #47 and #46 on the country charts, respectively. The album was then certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
on December 13, 2004.
In 2006, she released her fourth single, "Men & Mascara", which would in-turn be the title track to her second album. Men & Mascara
Men & Mascara
-Chart performance:...
was released on June 27, 2006. Although not charting a single from this album, it managed to chart even higher than her debut album. It reached #4 on the Top Country Albums and #25 on the all-genre Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. Included on the album is a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Saving Jane
Saving Jane
Saving Jane is a band from Columbus, Ohio who are most famous for their hit songs "Girl Next Door", "Come Down To Me", and "SuperGirl".-2002-2008: Girl Next Door, One Girl Revolution & SuperGirl:...
's "Girl Next Door
Girl Next Door (song)
"Girl Next Door" is the name of a single released in late 2005 by American pop rock band Saving Jane. The song was a top 40 success on Billboard charts.-Content:...
", however, it failed to chart along with the albums title track.
Roberts and Mercury Records parted ways at the beginning of May 2010. Roberts will release her 3rd cd "Alive" on June 7 as an independent artist,with the first single being "NASCAR Party".
Charities
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.Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications (sales threshold) |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country |
US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
||||||||
| Julie Roberts Julie Roberts (album) -Personnel:As listed in liner notes.*Eric Darken – percussion on "Just 'Cause We Can" and "No Way Out"*Shannon Forrest – drums*Vince Gill – background vocals on "Unlove Me" and "The Chance"... |
|
9 | 51 |
Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... : Gold |
|||||
| Men & Mascara Men & Mascara -Chart performance:... |
|
4 | 25 | ||||||
| Alive |
|
— | — | ||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
||||
| 2004 | "Break Down Here Break Down Here "Break Down Here" is the debut single from country music singer Julie Roberts. The single is the lead-off to her self-titled debut album that was released on May 24, 2004, via Mercury Nashville. The song debuted in February 2004 and peaked at number 18 on the country music charts... " |
18 | 81 | Julie Roberts | |
| "The Chance" | 47 | — | |||
| 2005 | "Wake Up Older" | 46 | — | ||
| 2006 | "Men & Mascara" | — | — | Men & Mascara | |
| "Girl Next Door Girl Next Door (song) "Girl Next Door" is the name of a single released in late 2005 by American pop rock band Saving Jane. The song was a top 40 success on Billboard charts.-Content:... " |
— | — | |||
| 2011 | "NASCAR Party" | — | — | Alive | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||
Music videos
| Year | Song title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Break Down Here" | Steven Goldmann Steven Goldmann Steven Goldmann is a Canadian music video and film director. He has directed over 200 music videos. Goldmann also directed the movies Broken Bridges and Trailer Park of Terror, and has additionally directed several television programs.-1990-1999:... |
| "The Chance" | Michael McNamara | |
| 2005 | "Wake Up Older" | Steven Goldmann |
| 2006 | "Men & Mascara" | Peter Zavadil Peter Zavadil Peter Zavadil is a music video director who works primarily in the field of country music. He has directed many music videos since the late 1990s.-Music videos directed:109 music videos are currently listed here.-References:... |
| 2011 | "NASCAR Party" | Camp Riley |