Julie Roberts was born in Lancaster, South Carolina 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 Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure there, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape. Producer Brent Rowan liked what he heard and invited Lewis to hear the tape.
Current Country Music Career
Lewis liked what he heard, but it was only after he asked for the singer's identity that he learned it was Roberts. Roberts was signed to Mercury Records by Lewis almost immediatley. Soon Roberts was out and recording for Mercury. Her debut album Julie Roberts was released May 25, 2004. She released her first single "Break Down Here" that same year. "Break Down Here" was a success for Roberts, going to #18 on the Country charts, breaking the Top 20, making the song a Country hit for Roberts. The song also reached #1 on the Country Music Single Sales Chart when it was released. Overnight, Roberts was turned into a Country Music star, with the biggest names in the business.
Her follow-up singles from her 2004 album failed to gain success, like "The Chance" and "Wake Up Older". The songs didn't even make the Top 40. On June 27, 2006, Roberts released a new album called Men & Mascara. She released two more singles, which included the title track, along with a remake of Saving Jane's hit "Girl Next Door". Roberts has yet to achieve another hit on the Country charts.
