The "Next Big Star" Performs At The Ashland County Fair

The Ashland County Fair has a history of booking an artist who then, and rather quickly, rockets to superstardom. Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts who performed in Ashland in the early 2000's are perfect examples. It wasn't long after they played here they were earning more than $One Million dollars per show. It doesn't always work that way for example Emerson Drive, Easton Corbin, and Josh Gracin come to mind. That's not to say these were bad bookings, but you know what they say about hindsight.

Emily Ann Roberts, who opened the Joe Nichols show Tuesday night, September 19th, May prove to be the exception. That someone special we caught at just the right time. Someone we can reflect on years down he road and say "remember when she first came out....we knew...we knew"!

A 24-year old Knoxville, Tennessee native, Roberts has a lot going for her. Starting with her career started while she was still in high school. She was a contestant on The Voice in 2015, the year she graduated. Landing on Team Blake didn't hurt. She made it too the finale' finishing second to Jordan Smith from Team Adam. who's new album "Can't Hide Country" will be released Friday September 22nd. Her association with Blake continues as she is represented by the same agency as Blake, Starstruck Entertainment. She will also be touring with Blake.

Roberts wowed the Ashland County crowd with her cover of a song hand-picked by Blake, Dolly Parton's "9 to 5", as well as her medley of hits from Country Women ranging from Loretta Lynn to Martina McBride to Miranda Lambert. Another song, already a crowd favorite for the young singer was "The Building" which received a lot of attention on Christian Radio as well as CMT, sounded great live.

One word that could be used to describe Roberts would be "Talented" and that's an understatement. Throw in "genuine", "bubbly", "sweet", "down to earth" and add in a phrase I heard a number of times at the show "the real deal" and you have an artist who will fit in along side Carly Pearce and Lainey Wilson quite well.

Best of luck goes out to Emily Ann Roberts. We hope to see you back in our area real soon.