JULIE ROBERTS (Nominated for Horizon Award.)
Julie Roberts grew up singing along to the Country hits on the radio in her hometown of Lancaster, S.C. Realizing she had talent, Roberts started competing in pageants, and was soon singing at fairs and festivals. She moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University and pursue singing. After graduating, Roberts worked as an assistant to Luke Lewis, Co-Chairman of Universal Music Group Nashville, but kept her singing aspirations to herself. However, Brent Rowan, a prominent Nashville producer, played Lewis some demos Rowan had been working on with Roberts, and Lewis demanded to know the identity of the sultry, blues-infused singer. Rowan said that Lewis had to look no further than down the hall at his assistant. Roberts signed with Mercury Nashville in 2003 and released her self-titled debut album, which subsequently went Gold and gave Roberts her first hits "Break Down Here" and "Wake Up Older." Roberts is currently working with producer Byron Gallimore on her second album, which is scheduled for release in early 2006.
CMA Nominations:
2004 Horizon Award
2005 Horizon Award
(Bio and Award Listing courtesy the Country Music Association)
