On a balmy Tuesday afternoon, the country music world buzzes with anticipation as Emily Ann Roberts prepares for her headlining show at the Grand Ole Opry. The 23-year-old Tennessee native, whose crystalline voice and heartfelt lyrics have won her a devoted following, is carving a path that honors her East Tennessee heritage—a journey deeply influenced by the sage advice of her mentor, Blake Shelton. As the sun dips over Nashville, casting a golden glow on the city’s iconic music venues, Roberts’ story emerges as a testament to authenticity, resilience, and the enduring power of mentorship in an industry often swayed by fleeting trends.

A Voice from the Smokies

Emily Ann Roberts hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, a city nestled in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains, where bluegrass echoes through the valleys and family traditions run deep. Born on October 29, 2001, she grew up singing in church choirs and performing at local fairs, her voice a blend of gospel purity and country soul. Her big break came in 2015 at age 14, when she auditioned for The Voice Season 9 with a stunning rendition of “I Hope You Dance.” Under Team Blake Shelton, she finished as the runner-up, a moment that catapulted her into the national spotlight and set the stage for a career rooted in her upbringing.

Roberts’ early years were shaped by her family’s love for music. Her grandfather, a bluegrass fiddler, and her mother, a singer, instilled in her a reverence for the genre’s storytelling tradition. “Growing up, we’d sit on the porch with a guitar and sing hymns,” she recalled in a 2023 interview with Country Living. “That’s where my heart is—those simple, honest songs.” This connection to her roots has become the cornerstone of her artistry, a commitment that has only strengthened with time, thanks in large part to Shelton’s guidance.

The Mentor’s Influence

Blake Shelton, a towering figure in country music with 28 number-one hits and a coaching tenure on The Voice that spanned over two decades, saw something special in Roberts from the start. During Season 9, he praised her “old soul” voice, comparing it to icons like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. But it wasn’t just her talent that impressed him—it was her authenticity. “She’s got this raw, unpolished edge that you can’t teach,” Shelton said in a post-show interview. “I told her to hold onto that, no matter what.”

Their mentorship deepened after the show. Shelton, who left The Voice in 2023 to focus on his own music and family life with Gwen Stefani, kept in touch with Roberts, offering advice during her transition from teen contestant to recording artist. In 2017, she signed with Big Loud Records, and Shelton’s counsel became a guiding light. “He told me, ‘Don’t let Nashville change you,’” Roberts shared during a recent Opry performance. “He said to keep singing the songs that feel like home, even if the industry pushes for something shinier.”

This advice proved pivotal as Roberts navigated the pressures of the music business. In an era where pop-infused country dominates the charts, she resisted the urge to pivot, instead releasing her 2020 EP Can’t Hide Country, a collection of tracks that showcase her twangy vocals and narratives of rural life. Shelton’s influence is evident in her choice to collaborate with traditionalists like Vince Gill and Rhonda Vincent, ensuring her sound remains a bridge between past and present.

Staying True in a Changing Industry

The country music landscape in 2025 is a battleground of styles, with artists like Morgan Wallen blending hip-hop beats and Luke Combs leaning into rock influences. For a young artist like Roberts, staying true to her roots could have been a risky move, yet it’s paid off. Her 2023 album Smoky Mountain Soul, released to critical acclaim, debuted at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, with the single “Holler Back Home” earning a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance. The album’s lead track, a tribute to her Knoxville childhood, features banjo riffs and lyrics about picking blackberries with her grandmother—details that resonate with fans who value authenticity.

Shelton’s advice echoes through these choices. In a 2024 podcast with Bobby Bones, he reflected on his own career, noting how straying from his Oklahoma roots early on nearly derailed him. “I had to get back to the barn dances and the dirt roads,” he said. “I told Emily the same—your roots are your strength.” This philosophy has guided Roberts to avoid overproduced tracks, opting instead for live instrumentation and storytelling that mirrors the front-porch sessions of her youth.

Her recent activities underscore this commitment. On July 10, 2025, she performed at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a festival celebrating Appalachian music, where she debuted an unreleased song, “Mountain Prayer,” written with her mother. The performance, streamed live on YouTube, drew 1.2 million views in 24 hours, with fans praising its raw emotion. “It’s like she’s singing my life,” posted one viewer on X, a sentiment that aligns with trending discussions about the resurgence of traditional country among younger audiences.

A Mentor’s Legacy and a Protégé’s Growth

Shelton’s impact extends beyond musical direction. Known for his gruff exterior and big heart, he’s mentored numerous Voice contestants, but his bond with Roberts stands out. In 2021, he invited her to perform at his Ole Red bar in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, giving her a platform to connect with his fanbase. “Blake’s like an uncle,” Roberts laughed in a backstage interview. “He’s always texting me, ‘Keep it real, kid,’ or sending me old Merle Haggard records.”

This mentorship has also shaped her business decisions. When Big Loud Records pushed for a duet with a pop artist in 2022, Shelton intervened, suggesting she hold out for a collaboration that fit her style. The result was a 2024 duet with Ashley McBryde, “Tennessee Two-Step,” which climbed to number eight on the country charts and earned praise for its fiddle-driven energy. “Blake taught me to trust my gut,” Roberts said. “He said, ‘If it doesn’t feel like you, don’t do it.’”

Shelton’s own evolution—transitioning from party anthems like “Boys ’Round Here” to introspective tracks like “God’s Country”—mirrors the advice he’s given Roberts. In a recent interview with The Tennessean, he admitted, “I see a lot of myself in Emily. She’s got the talent, but it’s her heart that’ll carry her far.” This mutual respect has fostered a relationship that transcends the typical mentor-protégé dynamic, rooted in a shared love for country’s heritage.

Challenges and Triumphs

Staying true to her roots hasn’t been without challenges. In 2023, Roberts faced criticism from some industry insiders who felt her sound was “too niche” for mainstream success. A scathing review in Rolling Stone called her music “stuck in the past,” a jab that stung but fueled her resolve. Shelton’s response was characteristically blunt: “Let them talk. The fans know what’s real.” His support bolstered her, and she channeled the critique into her next project, a 2025 single, “Smoky Road,” which topped the iTunes Country Chart within hours of release on July 1.

The song’s video, filmed in Sevierville, Tennessee, features Roberts in a gingham dress, dancing with local children against a backdrop of rolling hills—a deliberate nod to her roots. The clip went viral, amassing 5 million views in a week, with fans on X hailing it as “country music’s comeback.” This success reflects a broader trend, with younger listeners seeking authenticity amid the genre’s commercialization, a movement Shelton helped pioneer with his own return to traditional sounds.

Roberts’ personal life also reflects her grounding. Engaged to high school sweetheart Tyler Rich in 2024, she plans a fall wedding in Knoxville, incorporating bluegrass music and a barn reception. “I want my roots in every detail,” she told People magazine. This balance of career and personal life mirrors Shelton’s advice to prioritize family, a lesson he learned after years on the road.

The Opry Moment and Beyond

Roberts is rehearsing at the Grand Ole Opry, her voice filling the historic hall with “Holler Back Home.” The show, set for 07:00 PM CST, will feature special guests including Vince Gill and a surprise appearance by Shelton, who flew in from Oklahoma to support her. “It’s full circle,” Roberts said, her eyes misty. “Blake gave me my start, and now he’s here for this.”

The performance will mark her fifth Opry appearance, a milestone for an artist who once sang there as a teenager. Fans expect a setlist heavy on Smoky Mountain Soul, with potential new tracks from her upcoming album, tentatively titled Back to the Holler, due in October 2025. Shelton’s influence is anticipated in a duet, possibly a reimagined “God’s Country” with a bluegrass twist, a collaboration teased on his Instagram.

Looking ahead, Roberts plans a 2026 tour, “Roots & Rhythms,” visiting small-town venues across the South and Midwest, a deliberate choice to connect with fans where country thrives. “Blake taught me the audience is the heartbeat of this music,” she said. “I want to sing where they live.” This aligns with her goal to launch a foundation supporting music education in rural schools, a project Shelton has pledged to back.

A Legacy of Authenticity

As the Nashville skyline glows at dusk, Emily Ann Roberts stands as a beacon of authenticity in country music. Her journey from a Knoxville porch to the Opry stage, guided by Blake Shelton’s wisdom, is more than a success story—it’s a reminder of the genre’s soul. At 23, she’s not just preserving her roots; she’s planting seeds for a new generation, proving that in a world of change, staying true can be the boldest move of all.

Shelton, watching from the wings, smiles. “She’s got it,” he said recently. “The voice, the heart, the roots. That’s country.” As Roberts takes the stage tonight, the echoes of the Smokies will blend with Nashville’s neon, a harmony forged by a mentor’s faith and a protégé’s courage.