A Conversation with Dollywood Guest Performer Emily Ann Roberts

• Jennifer Webb

Music is at the heart of any Dollywood day, especially during the Harvest Festival presented by Humana. This year, we have a number of guest performers from several different genres, including East Tennessee’s own Emily Ann Roberts. Emily Ann was a finalist on season nine of NBC’s the Voice in 2015, and has graced our country airwaves since.

Emily Ann debuted her first full length album, “Can’t Hide Country” on Sept. 22, 2023, but not before selling out The Bijou Theatre in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, the night before during her album release show. 

Emily Ann is a talented singer and songwriter who has written or co-written almost every song on her new album. She says she draws inspiration from her marriage to her husband of three years and also from her life and the lives of her friends. “The Building” on her new album, a song Emily Ann says is incredibly special to her, tells the story of her hometown church and how it has played a role in her family’s life for generations. She says not all of her songs come from real-life experiences, though. She also loves to create stories and tell them through her songs, like in her song “Devil Wears Denim,” which was inspired by the Appalachian music and stories she grew up hearing.

And like any good country girl, especially in East Tennessee, Emily Ann was raised on Dolly. She says “9-5” is one of her favorites because it tells the story of hardworking women in a world and genre full of songs about hardworking men.

I was able to sit down for coffee with Emily Ann ahead of her performance at Dollywood. Check out the video below to hear some of our conversation about her favorite Dollywood foods, her new album, songwriting and more.

Emily Ann Roberts is performing at Dollywood in DP’s Celebrity Theater on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Shows are seated on a first come, first served basis and are included in your Dollywood admission.

For a full line up of our Harvest Festival entertainment, visit our website.