VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Country music is a staple in American culture. We can all probably name a couple of big country music acts right off the top of our heads. But an act coming to Virginia Beach is amplifying voices that are sometimes overlooked in the country music genre.
The Black Opry is a collective of Black country music artists, producers, and songwriters. It exists to amplify voices that aren’t always heard in country music but have always been a part of country music.
Roberta Lea is one of those musicians. She says country music "has its roots from gospel, from the blues, from Negro spirituals.”
From Lil Nas X and Beyoncé to Tracy Chapman and Whitney Houston, Lea notes Black voices have intertwined with country music for decades.
Lea is a born and raised Virginian and a talented musician.
“I have a bit of a twang that my husband will call me out on every now and then," Lea joked with a laugh. “I play piano and guitar. And if I have to, I’ll hold it down on the drums and the bass for you if you need me to.”
In 2021 she made what she calls a “pandemic pivot.” Once a Spanish teacher at Booker T. Washington and Lake Taylor High Schools, she turned her passion for music into a full-time career.
She has sung and played instruments since childhood. Her inspirations range from Tina Turner and Bill Withers to Patsy Cline, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain.
Lea blends a lot of genres but ultimately, she’s a country music artist. It’s a genre in which Black voices aren’t always heard, but Lea says Black voices have been in country music since the start.
“If we look at the history of country music, we don’t have to do a lot of convincing to marry the two ideas together," Lea said. "Country music is Black music. All American music is Black music. It has its roots from gospel, from the blues, from Negro spirituals.”
Turning on country radio or watching the CMA awards on ABC, country music artists may look and sound similar which can often sideline performers who don’t fit that mold.
“Country music radio, Black people are almost non-existent," Lea said.
This is where the Black Opry Revue steps in.
“We are a collective of Black artists that is moving to change the narrative around what country music really is," she said.
Lea noted a lot of popular music has the same roots, originating from older genres like the blues and folk. She said country music has more in common with rhythm and blues, for example, than people might think.
“Country music and R&B are practically cousins," she said. “Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ is the number one R&B record of all time after being recorded by Whitney Houston... the number one country hit 'Amazed' by Lonestar back in the '90s was actually written for Boys II Men.”
Lea continued: “Slight changes in instrumentation, slight changes in delivery, maybe tone and delivery vocally. But essentially, it’s the same music.”
There’s a more modern example that you can hear on country radio, right now. Tracy Chapman’s music is often described as alternative or indie. She’s known for her 1988 hit “Fast Car.” Decades after its release, country music star Luke Combs covered the single, turning it into a country music hit.
Lea said she's "glad" a woman like Tracy Chapman inspired Combs' "instrumentation and storytelling."
That's not the only recent example. Just this week, Beyoncé released two country music songs: "16 Carriages" and "Texas Hold ‘Em." And who could forget Lil Nas X's hit "Old Town Road" he recorded with country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus? Many described that song as "country rap."
The Black Opry Revue has toured all over the country and, finally, it’s coming to Hampton Roads to shine a spotlight on country music acts.
“I want people to understand that there’s room for everybody in this particular genre," Lea said. "I want people to understand that there are different stories and there are different perspectives that are going to enrich country music. It’s not going to take away from country music. It’s going to add to country music. It’s going to add to the community.”
The Black Opry Revue is performing Friday, February 16, at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach. You can buy tickets at the door or purchase tickets online.