Reyna Roberts' Fighting Spirit

Reyna Roberts talks with Sid Evans about her background as a high-school wrestler, how she credits her parents with her rise to fame, and much more.

Get to Know Reyna Roberts

Reyna Roberts was born in Alaska, and since her mom and dad were both in the military, the family often relocated when she was growing up. They eventually settled in Alabama, and Reyna's obsession with music never waned. She learned to play piano at eight years old and has brought different influences like classic rock and pop into her brand of country music. Reyna has continued to gain traction, joining CMT's Next Women of Country for 2021.

What Reyna Roberts Talks About in This Episode

*Living in Alaska

*Growing Up in a Military Family

*Favorite Things About Alabama

*Being a High School Wrestler

*Moving to Nashville During a Pandemic

*Hopes to Play at Awards Shows in the Future

*What Being Southern Means to Her

Quotes from Reyna Roberts

"I tell people I was raised by wolves. It wasn't just my parents. It was their friends who were also in the military, but I feel like they all raised me collectively. And I feel like having parents in the military has shaped me in a way that I'm really determined. I'm really purposeful. I don't seem probably like a 'fighter,' but like I have a fighting spirit in me and I believe that's from my parents, being in the military and their backgrounds."

"That was actually from my mom. She was in school at the time and she talked to her professors and they created a program where they play different genres of music every week. So one week would be country, the next week would be rock, the next week would be classical, and all the genres of music. And because of that, I was able to actually sing before I even started talking. So I was singing and humming. And so when people ask me, 'How long have you been singing?' And I tell them 'my whole life,' I genuinely mean my whole life. I've always sang. I've been listening to music my whole life."

"Nobody can beat my nana's cooking, I'm convinced. My nana, she's a minister. And it's funny because my mom doesn't really know how to cook, but my nana can cook like anything. Growing up she made some pound cake. She made all the things, like banana pudding, biscuits, yams with the marshmallows, greens, everything, all the things."

"By next year I would love to be able to perform at award shows. I just want to have a song that can resonate with people. I want to create a song that can outlive me. And so that is really my goal. That's really what I want. I want to have a song that I'm so in love with I can hear myself singing it 20 years from now. And even when I'm gone, it's a song that people will remember and a song that they love. So that's what I hope to create in this next year."

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your Family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road.

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Stitcher.

Get a transcript of the full interview with Reyna Roberts.