Micah Roberts
Mica Roberts has been a singer in Toby Keith’s band for more than five years. She and Keith will sing a duet, “Let’s Get Trashed,” during Sunday’s concert at Harveys Outdoor Arena. During the tour’s stop in Portland, Ore., Roberts took some time to speak by phone with Lake Tahoe Action.
Q You and Toby Keith are both from Oklahoma. How does that help your working relationship?
A We agree on who’s supposed to win all the football games.
Q Do you come from a musical family?
A I’m the only one who went into music. I found out later my biological family was musical. One was a dancer, and one was a singer.
Q I read that you had five music scholarships but started working instead.
A It just wasn’t the path I wanted to follow. I never had any doubt about what I wanted to do. I went on the road. I got a trailer and traveled three and a half years.
Q Have you always sung country?
A Country’s always been where my heart is. But I’ve had to do other styles just for survival. I sang in a blues group, did showtunes on a cruise ship, and sang ’40s and ’50s music. But of course country music is always where I’ve wanted to be.
Q Who are your favorite singers?
A Willie Nelson is my all-time favorite. He stuck with what he believed in and didn’t let the industry change him, and he’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I really like Eva Cassidy, but I didn’t know about her until after she was dead. Linda Ronstadt is my all-time favorite female singer.
Q What did you learn touring with Faith Hill for four years?
A Faith became like a sister to me. I learned how to be real and how to treat your fans. She was always so patient and good with people.
Q This sounds like it will be a great show.
A All Toby shows are great shows. Everything he does , he bases it on what’s fun for the fans. It’s an amazing fun, fun show.