“I had good intentions of reaching out sooner to invite Jaelee to make her Opry debut, so when I saw her at Bobby Osborne’s funeral, it occurred to me that this might be an unusual yet perfect time to extend that special ask and shine some happiness on a solemn day,” says Keltner. “It was a chance to demonstrate that even though we were all reeling from the loss of both Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds that week, bluegrass music was in good hands and would carry on with talented artists such as Jaelee.”

Roberts began coming to the Opry when she was just four years old, joining her father Danny Roberts, founding member of The Grascals, backstage when he was there to perform.

“Playing the Grand Ole Opry has been a dream of mine literally as long as I can remember! I’ve been blessed to grow up backstage at the Opry watching my dad play on that iconic stage and seeing my mom handle the business side of the music, but to be invited to debut myself is an incredible feeling. Every country and bluegrass artist – really any genre of music – dreams about walking on that stage and stepping into that circle.”

This is an exciting time for Roberts. Not only is she nominated for three IBMA Awards (Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year/Sister Sadie, and Song of the Year – “Diane”/Sister Sadie), but she also recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Commercial Songwriting from the College of Media and Entertainment. Her debut solo album, Something You Didn’t Count On, was released in May 2022, debuted Top 10 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album Chart, and has had eight singles appear across both bluegrass and gospel music charts. In addition to her upcoming Opry appearance, Roberts will continue touring with Sister Sadie.

ABOUT JAELEE ROBERTS:
Jaelee Roberts is an internationally recognized vocal performer, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and songwriter. In addition to a thriving solo career, Roberts is also a member of the multi-award-winning, all-female bluegrass band Sister Sadie. Although only 22 years old, she has performed on many historically significant stages and bluegrass festivals across the country. In 2021, she was awarded Vocalist of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Awards, a presentation dedicated specifically to recognizing and rewarding the talents of emerging artists and up-and-coming industry professionals. In 2022, she released her debut full-length album, Something You Didn’t Count On, for Mountain Home Records—earning her a nomination for IBMA New Artist of the Year. She was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2023 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) awards show, and Something You Didn’t Count On took home the title of Album of the Year. Most recently, she received a nomination for the 2023 IBMA Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. She has also been recognized as a member of bluegrass’ preeminent all-female band, Sister Sadie, with a 2021 win for IBMA Vocal Group of the Year and 2023 IBMA nominations for Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year (“Diane”).