AUSTIN — Before Thomas Rhett took the stage Thursday night at Moody Center, Emily Ann Roberts made sure the Austin crowd knew exactly who she is: a powerhouse country vocalist with a sharp sense of humor, a deep respect for the genre’s roots and the kind of onstage warmth that turns an opening set into a genuine connection.
Roberts delivered a lively, crowd-friendly set built around songs including “Whole Lotta Little,” “Jack & Jill Daniel’s,” “Laundry,” “Pretty in Pink” and “Whipped.” Her energy stayed high from start to finish, and the audience responded in kind, singing along, cheering her stories and giving the rising country artist a reception that felt bigger than an opening slot.
The standout moment came when Roberts broke into the late Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” a song that carries special meaning in her career. It was a milestone performance for Roberts during her run as a 16-year-old contestant on Season 9 of NBC’s The Voice in 2015, where she finished as the runner-up on Blake Shelton’s team.
At Moody Center, the cover landed like both a tribute and a full-circle moment. Roberts leaned into the song’s familiar spark, and the crowd answered with one of the loudest reactions of her set.
It was a reminder that even as she builds a catalog and identity of her own, she understands how to honor the country women who helped shape the road ahead.
A major CMA moment
Thursday’s show came at a pivotal time for Roberts. She was recently nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, a major recognition for an artist whose steady climb has been built on hard work, strong songwriting and a live show that feels refreshingly unmanufactured.
Roberts’ first CMA Awards nomination brought an emotional, unfiltered reaction from the singer.
Watching the New Artist of the Year nominees announced from her tour bus with husband Chris Sasser, Roberts initially assumed it was not her year after the first names were called. But when she heard her own name, she jumped from her seat, shouted “No way!” repeatedly and rushed to hug and high-five those around her. In her post, Roberts called the honor “more than a dream come true,” adding, “I am speechless. Thank you, CMA.”
The nomination puts Roberts alongside country music’s most closely watched new voices, but she did not carry herself like someone overwhelmed by the moment. Instead, she performed with the confidence of an artist who has spent years earning every new opportunity, from small stages in her native Tennessee to national television, the Grand Ole Opry and now major arena crowds.
Roberts’ journey has been anything but overnight. Since her Voice run, she has developed a sound that blends traditional country, bluegrass influence and modern Nashville polish. That combination was clear in Austin, where she moved easily between playful songs, emotional moments and big vocal showcases.
New music arrives with ‘Lonely Boy’
Roberts also gave fans another reason to pay attention when her new song, “Lonely Boy,” arrived at midnight Friday.
The release adds to an already busy season for the singer, who continues to grow her audience while balancing touring, new music and a rapidly expanding presence beyond the stage. For fans who discovered her through The Voice, Thursday’s performance showed how far she has come.
For newer listeners, “Lonely Boy” offers another entry point into an artist who is clearly stepping into a larger chapter.
CLICK HERE to listen to her new song.
Pretty In Pink
Roberts created another memorable moment in Austin when she welcomed a young fan named Charlotte to the Moody Center stage during “Pretty in Pink.” The appearance doubled as a birthday celebration for Charlotte, giving her a front-row view unlike any other as Roberts made the song’s performance feel personal for both the birthday girl and the crowd.
Emily Ann Roberts holds hands with birthday girl Charlotte after inviting the young fan onstage during “Pretty in Pink” at Moody Center in Austin on Thursday. (PHOTO: Nadia Hoffman, SBG San Antonio)
Roberts has made a habit of creating meaningful fan moments, including at the Grand Ole Opry, where she brought 5-year-old Della Smith onstage during “Pretty in Pink” so the young fan could share the joyful news that she was cancer-free.
Life beyond the spotlight at Sasser House
Part of Roberts’ appeal is that her life offstage feels as authentic as the one she presents under arena lights.
Through Sasser House, her YouTube channel with her husband Chris, Roberts has found another way to connect with fans. The videos center on gardening, canning vegetables and everyday country life, giving viewers a glimpse of the routines and values behind the performer. The channel has attracted millions of views, proving that fans are interested not only in Roberts’ music, but also in the genuine, down-to-earth life she shares with them.
That sincerity carries directly into her live show. Roberts never felt distant from the Moody Center crowd. Her audience interaction was easy, funny and natural, and she performed with the kind of joy that made even a large arena feel more personal.
By the end of her set, Emily Ann Roberts had done what every great opening act hopes to do: leave the audience wanting more. With a CMA nomination, a new song and a growing fan base both onstage and online, she looks ready to make the most of that momentum.
CLICK HERE for more info on Emily.