Check The Notes with Roberta Lea
Photo cred: Laura Schneider/@lschneiderphoto
Welcome back, welcome back. I couldn’t be more excited to kick this spring off with my next guest. Roberta Lea might be Virginia’s best kept secret. Hailing all the way from Norfolk, Roberta Lea is on a mission to reimagine what our hearts and minds perceive of music, with a divine gift of melting various genres on top of Country Music. In fact, CMT has already knighted her with the prestigious title as one of the Next Women of Country. She’s blazing a path of her own and has a trajectory somewhere in the stratosphere next to legends like Charley Pride. With Queen Bey releasing the second installment of her Renaissance series, I wanted dive headfirst into the rich history Black creativity its relationship to Country. I truly hope this conversation adds value to the broader conversation at hand, and the bigger one to come on Friday, March 29th. Without further ado—
I want to open this interview by sidestepping the music. If you could, take us back to your adolescence. What was a young Roberta like, what’s happening in the neighborhood and what are your Friday nights like?
I grew up in one of the greatest eras; the 90’s. So, the neighborhood had the cookouts and the music going while me and my friends ran around chasing each other. I was in my big sister's bedroom, painting nails and singing in hairbrushes to SWV and TLC on 103 Jamz. My mom had one of those big ‘ol camcorders that we used to get really creative. My other sister, Renee, and I would put on our own fashion shows. I’d model the clothes we had in the closet while she filmed. I’d walk, stop, then she’d pause the video, I’d run upstairs and change, walk back to the same position and she’d press record. We were making Tik Tok transitions long before it was a thing. My mom was a single mom and we didn’t have much, but what we had our imaginations and that was enough.
How would you describe your musical upbringing? What albums register warm memories from your childhood?
I would describe my musical upbringing as versatile. My mom either had Jazz or Gospel playing on a regular basis, especially Saturdays and Sundays when it was time to clean. My older sister, Deborah, introduced me to the likes of Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morrissette while my other sister jammed to Tupac and Foxy Brown. Classic 90’s R&B and Hip Hop was a staple and then there was CCM that was really starting to pick up as well, like Mercy Me, Casting Crown, Jaci Velasquez and more. So, my musical taste was certainly a melting pot. The Country music space is actually fairly new to me. Although I was familiar with 90’s legends like Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, we didn’t actively listen to Country music. So finding myself occupying this space is surprising but also fitting. I feel right at home.
What’s been the most unexpected part of your journey so far?
Being able to get as far as I’ve gotten without having to move. Most people make the assumption that in order to get anywhere you’d have to make that drastic move to LA or Nashville or New York. But I’m a wife and a mom of two, I didn’t want my dreams to interrupt the stability they needed. So, it’s been a blessing to be able to get as far as I’ve gotten (Black Opry, CMT, Recording Academy) without having to make a drastic change.
Have any skills or life lessons helped you on your transition from teaching to performing?
People often ask if I get nervous getting up to perform in front of a large crowd. Although there have been some major shows that have certainly put butterflies in my stomach, nothing will ever compare to speaking to a bunch of teenagers on the first day of school. That’s a pretty tough crowd, so if you can work with that, you can work with any kind of audience.
Photo cred: Laura Schneider/@lschneiderphoto
You mentioned during your performance at the Bobby BlackHat Music Series that “Dinner, Sunset, Nina Simone” was inspired while listening to Nina Simone over a sunset dinner in the car with your daughter. You also mentioned being inspired to write “King Size” when you overheard your husband making lodging accommodations for a guys trip. With that in mind, how often can your listeners find your lived experiences in your lyrics?
In almost every single song, lol. I think that’s why country music (3 chords and the truth) feels at home for me. I’m a storyteller and I like to walk people through my experience.
Black musicians have been involved in Country since its inception. The melodies of many early Country hits were lifted from hymns performed by Black ministers in the South. From your perspective, what are the barriers that keep the broader Black community from coalescing around the genre?
Although Country music is a genre that Black people have created and influenced, the culture of country music for a long time has been associated with white supremacy, racism and the Confederate South. It’s pretty easy to see why Black people (once before, myself included) are/were hesitant to embrace the genre. That, on top of the fact that our stories, our language, our expressions aren’t there. That’s why, I’m very intentional as a songwriter when it comes to songs like “Dinner, Sunset, Nina Simone”.
Beyonce has without a doubt expanded the conversation about artists crossing genres. Do you feel her decision to immerse herself in Country music will cause the boundaries of the genre to expand also?
I certainly hope so. One of the final frontiers of what black artists are trying to do in country music is convince the Black and Brown communities that it’s a genre for them to. A presence in the genre like mega star like Beyonce will certainly do a lot of heavy lifting.
Virginia’s unique identity in music leaves an outsider to believe this isn’t a music state. There’s not a signature sound, and there’s not a cult following, at least in hiphop and R&B. However, this state is known for sending pivotal artists into the world such as Pharrell, Missy Elliot and so on. Where do you feel Country artists fit within Virginia’s fabric?
Virginia is the birthplace of Country Music. Bristol, VA to be exact. So, country music has a rich history here. Virginia in and of itself has a lot of work to do when it comes to supporting up and coming artistry, but the talent has always been here nonetheless.
Photo cred: Laura Schneider/@lschneiderphoto
Are there any rising Virginia native or based Black Country artists that should be on our radar?
My absolute favorite right now is Shaboozey. He’s from the northern Virginia area and started in Hip Hop/RnB. But he’s recently swung into country and his songs are absolutely FIRE. Adding to that, there’s Tony Jackson who’s been out there killing it for a while. I’m sure there’s plenty more I’ll be on the lookout for myself.
What do you envision for the future of Country?
It’s hard to say right now. Some of the dialogue around black representation in Country music is encouraging and disappointing all at the same time. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but my hope is that Country music becomes more reflective of those who have been a part of it since the beginning.
Where are you finding peace in your life?
My family and the beach. Even better when it’s both. Another one of the reasons why it’s so hard for me to move is the ocean front. I love a good sunset on the water, cozying up next to my husband while my kiddos run around discovering a crab or seashells. I find my peace in the simple things.
From the editor: Thank you for the overflow of love and support, as I attempt to make this space a home for musicians to have authentic conversation about their artistry— I hope you’ve enjoyed the discussion with Roberta Lea! I pray this conversation ignites your love for Country and that you’ll do all the necessary googles to learn about her roots. Especially the connection Country has to R&B. Be sure to check out the five pack I left below, so you can get a sample of what she’s cooking. Please keep her lifted in love and support: buy the EP, debut album and continue to show up when she performs. If she’s not coming to town near you, keep your eyes peeled on CMT. You’ll recognize that big smile and soulful voice.