DIRE IMAGE
With the success of her rocking, raucous 2020 hit “Stompin’ Grounds,” Reyna Roberts proved herself a musical force to be reckoned with. In 2022 she opened for Reba McEntire and made her Stagecoach and CMA Fest debut; in addition, she is featured in the Grammy Museum’s Power of Women in Country Music Exhibit. Now the Alabama-raised powerhouse is readying her debut album (the lead single, “Pretty Little Devils” is already heating up the charts), and planning for an even bigger year to come.
HOMETOWN: I was born in Alaska. My parents were in the army and they were stationed there. I don’t remember much about Alaska other than sledding with other children in daycare and being handed from soldier to soldier to watch me when my parents had to work.
YEARS IN NASHVILLE: 3
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START?
I went to the NSAI songwriting camp in 2019 and played for the first time in Nashville. I moved [here] right before the pandemic in 2020.
WHO WERE YOUR EARLY INFLUENCES?
Artists with big voices have always inspired me. Whenever I had a road trip with my parents, we’d be listening to the Here for the Party album by Gretchen Wilson, Stripped by Christina Aguilera, Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin, and Led Zeppelin IV. All of us would be singing out the guitar solos and having full concerts in our car.
BREAKOUT MOMENT:
Mickey Guyton and Carrie Underwood retweeting my cover of “Drinking Alone” was big, as well as my music being placed on ESPN for Monday Night Football. Additionally Leslie Fram [Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT] choosing me for CMT’s Next Women of Country and always supporting me.
MOST EXCITING THING TO HAPPEN IN YOUR CAREER (SO FAR):
It’s hard to choose one! I’ve had a lot of firsts this year, but let’s say doing my first arena show on the Reba tour.
WHAT SONG OF YOURS BEST SUMS UP WHO YOU ARE?
Definitely “Raised Right.”
NEW AND NEXT:
I’m working on my first album that I’m truly excited about. It’ll have songs I’ve written from the age of 18 until now. Basically, I’ve been waiting my whole life to create this record. I’m looking forward to people seeing the different sides of me.