Emily Ann Roberts on ‘deep pink’ outfit: ‘I bleed orange, OK?’
Emily Ann Roberts assures the Knoxville crowd she’s a Tennessee Vols fan despite her crimson outfit during her Bijou Theater concert on Nov. 7, 2025.
- Knoxville native Emily Ann Roberts was back in town Nov. 7 for the first of two sold-out nights headlining at the Bijou Theatre.
- The season 9 runner-up on “The Voice”-turned-country star released her latest EP, “Memory Lane,” last month.
- Her first Bijou show featured new and familiar music and her signature ‘bam girl’ looks.
Emily Ann Roberts’ return to the Bijou Theatre wasn’t just a homecoming, it was a heartwarming celebration of country music and East Tennessee pride, with lots of stories and good fun in between.
Couples, families and friends of all ages packed the theater Nov. 7 for the first of two sold-out shows headlined by the season 9 “The Voice” runner-up.
“We have been looking forward to this since February and it just means the world to be back here at the Bijou,” Roberts said after performing two songs.
The Knoxville native released her latest EP, “Memory Lane,” last month. It’s her first release with her new Sony Music Nashville label. The hometown crowd was treated to performances of the new tunes, including “Jack & Jill Daniel’s,” a first listen of unreleased material and classic country songs that had everyone singing along.
What was the ‘bam girl’ outfit for night one
If you’ve ever seen Roberts onstage or on social media, you know she loves showing off her “bam girl” outfits. They’re usually shimmering, dangling or flowing and often some shade of pink.
“When it comes to colors and being girly, I think that it can really just become your personality. And it has become mine. And I own it,” she said.
Roberts opened night one in a deep purple dress with a matching fur jacket and purple boots that were paired with a sparkling choker, earrings and bracelet. But the true “bam” moment came when she removed the jacket mid-song to reveal two big purple flowers embellished on the dress.
“My husband, who is tragically an Alabama fan, would probably think that maybe this was leaning a little crimson. But I’m here to tell you, I bleed orange, OK? Don’t be confused,” Roberts said. “I just think that a deep pink like this is my color.”
It’s a love story
Roberts’ show unfolded almost like a musical love letter to her husband Chris Sasser, to country music and to Knoxville.
Between songs, she opened up about her relationship with Sasser. The two met in Spanish class at Karns High School, have been together 10 years and celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on Nov. 6. A lot of her songs are about the special love they share – but it’s not always “howdy-doody, tutti-fruiti.”
“You have to learn when to pick your battles. ‘Cause you don’t want to get in a knock down drag out in the front yard. You know what I’m saying? You don’t want to end up there.”
Sasser is a “good fella,” though. He spent their anniversary helping Roberts throw a crochet party. And during a recent chaotic period on the road, he offered to help his overwhelmed wife by washing her hair extensions – except he didn’t rinse out the hair conditioner.
“I’m standing there trying to get that brush through that hair and it won’t go. And I’m standing there and I’m thinking: Pick your battles. You did, in fact, ask a bald-headed man to wash your hair,” Roberts recalled.
From Loretta and Dolly to Carrie and Miranda
A standout moment of the night was a powerhouse medley honoring women of country music. She belted “You Ain’t Woman Enough” (Loretta Lynn), “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” (Dolly Parton), “Fancy” (Bobbie Gentry), “This One’s for the Girls” (Martina McBride), “Any Man of Mine” (Shania Twain), “Before He Cheats” (Carrie Underwood) and “Gunpowder & Lead” (Miranda Lambert).
Throughout the tribute, the crowd sang along, and some were roused out of their seats to dance.
Pretty in pink
On stage, Roberts acknowledged the women who paved the way for her, but seated in the audience were the ones who will come after. During “Pretty in Pink,” Roberts spotted a group of young girls wearing cowgirl hats.
“Come closer so I can see you,” she said to them. The girls rushed to the stage while Roberts kneeled and sang to them. It was a touching and genuine moment.
Special songs just for Knoxville
Roberts made sure her hometown got a show like no other. She performed an unreleased song, “Come Home to You,” and closed the show with “See You Down the Road,” a song she specifically wrote while thinking about performing in Knoxville.
She also debuted a heartfelt ballad that hasn’t even been recorded yet, called “Things You Didn’t Know.” She dedicated the song to her dad, who was in the audience, along with other family members. He suffered a back injury at 21 and was told he’d never walk again. But through faith, determination and rehabilitation, he learned to walk with braces and has lived a full life.
“He’s been such an encouragement to me and my biggest fan,” Roberts said. “He was the first one to show me three cords on the guitar and, really, he introduced me to the style of music that I think shaped who I am as an artist today.”
“Mama had a little part in it,” Roberts added. “Mama was very straightlaced. She liked Gaither, you know?” she said, referencing the southern gospel vocal group.
Other songs Roberts performed during the concert included “Memory Lane,” “Easy Does It,” “The Fence,” “Bus to Augusta,” “Whole Lotta Little,” “Back Home,” “Sixteen Tons,” “The Building” and “9 to 5.”
All roads lead back to the Bijou
Before closing the nearly two-hour show, Roberts brought out her opening act, Carson Peters, for a fiddle-filled performance of “Rocky Top.” Peters is also from East Tennessee and a former “Voice” contestant. Roberts first saw him perform at the Bijou when he was around 10 years old.
“I feel like there’s a big old crop of young’uns coming up right now that are just country as cornbread. And it makes me so happy to be a part of it,” Roberts said.
Roberts has always kept her hometown part of her music journey. Her sold-out Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 shows come after hosting her album release show at the Bijou in 2023. She played Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center earlier this year as part of Blake Shelton’s “Friends and Heroes” tour. And she recently had a performing stint at Dollywood.
“I’m so proud to be an East Tennessee girl,” she told the Nov. 7 crowd. “I say to y’all all the time ‘I love you, I love you’ and I mean it. … I mean it from the bottom of the heart. Thank you for letting me and allowing me to do what I love.”
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected].
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