Do you know Jacquie Roar? Believe us, you want to, and you will. This talented North Plains, Oregon native has risen to the very top of NBC's The Voice, captivating worldwide audiences with her powerful set of vocal pipes. This season, Roar grabbed for herself the coveted "Four-Chair Turn" from judges Gwen Steffani, Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, and John Legend, moving onward and upward to the final round.
As small-town Oregonians ourselves, watching Roar skyrocket to stardom has been a dream come true. I personally was born and raised in Forest Grove, a tight-knit community west of Portland and only ten or so miles across the beautiful Tualatin Valley back roads from Roar's hometown. Her journey truly hits home.
Jacquie Roar graciously took time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions about her experience on The Voice, working with Reba McEntire, and what being an Oregonian truly means to her.
Q: Jacquie, many of our readers might be familiar with your stunning performance on The Voice. For those who aren’t, how would you describe your musical style and influences?
A: "A little rock, a little country, and a whole lotta party. I love blending music so I pull inspiration from Adele to Fleetwood Mac to Gin Wigmore to Alice In Chains to Gretchen Wilson. I’m all over the board lol."
Q: Oregon has a rich and diverse music scene. How has growing up in small-town Oregon shaped your musical journey and the kind of songs you write or enjoy singing?
A: "To be honest with you, my kind of music isn’t exactly what the bulk of Oregon likes. I have a small niche of country/rock lovers so it’s helped me get creative on pushing my music out past Oregon and holding on tight to those who love my kind of music here in Oregon. Building relationships with venue owners has been a huge saving Grace when it comes to playing out so people can meet me and hear me."
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Q: Walking onto The Voice's stage and getting a four-chair turn is no small feat. Can you share with us the emotions you felt during that moment?
A: "I was extremely nervous. The biggest worry was that my daughter was going to watch me fail. Before the doors opened, I was bargaining with God. Coming out of the doors to get on stage, she was the first person I saw and it hit me like a ton of bricks. As if I wasn’t nervous already, I was terrified and emotional when I saw her. I just kept walking to the stage, sucked up those -about to be- tears, shook it off and dug my heels in. When I started singing and they hadn’t turned within the first 30 seconds I was talking to myself in my head saying “don’t worry, just get to the bridge and then worry”. When I came out of the bridge and looked up, all of them had turned. It was pure excitement! I couldn’t hold back my smile! Hearing myself back, I also couldn’t contain my growl either haha!"
Q: You had the choice of some of the best artists in the industry. What drew you to select Gwen Stefani as your coach? (I feel like everyone expected you to choose Reba!)
A: "It would have been the predictable choice to pick Reba and I’m not a predictable person. Of course I love Reba and she was on my list too but Gwen is the edge I wanted. I grew up on her No Doubt era listening to her album Tragic Kingdom. People forget she was a rocker before she went mainstream pop. I had been talking with my daughter about the coaches and who I wanted to choose. She loves Gwen’s new music. I really only called Leilani up to help me because I needed reinforcement. I was wavering a little when they gave me their sales pitches. To be honest, I ALMOST picked John. I’m so excited that Reba stole me. She’s like my spirit animal. I just want to make music with her, have her put me under her wing and take me everywhere in the country. I’ve learned so much working with Reba."
Q: Is there a particular spot in Oregon – a landscape, cafe, park, or maybe a hiking trail – that particularly inspires you?
A: "I absolutely love the Oregon Coast. I go at least once a month no matter what season. Garibaldi, Rockaway, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, Seaside… I go to the coast for a quick pick-me-up. However, when it comes to writing songs, I love to sit at home in front of my fired-up pellet stove and write away."
Q: While your roots are in country music, have you ever considered blending other genres or collaborating with artists outside of country, or do you do so already?
A: "I don’t have any collabs in the pipelines but I do have an EP I’ve already recorded in Nashville just waiting to be released! I already blend Rock and country music together which is something I think country radio needs. I’d love to pick up where Gretchen left off. I feel like the country world doesn’t have any kind of female artist like me. The grit, the growl, the dark lyrics. If I had to dream up a country collab it would be with Hardy or Stapleton. If I had to dream up a collab outside of country, hit me with Metallica. Now THAT would be mind-blowing!"
Q: Can your fans, especially those from That Oregon Life, expect any new music or special projects in the near future that speak to your Oregon roots?
A: "People know Oregon by the saying “Keep Portland Weird” but there is so much beauty outside of Portland. There is farmland and countryside. There’s the coast and river bends. There’s mountains with snow and hillsides with waterfalls. There’s even a desert here if you drive southeast from Portland. When I sing country, I’m singing to the people who love the nature in Oregon. I try to bring as much of that in my music as I possibly can."
Q: When you're not working on your music, what are some of your favorite activities or places to visit in Oregon?
A: "I LOVE to eat. I LOVE food. That’s the biggest reason I will drive into the city. I go to Pacific Boil in Tigard for my crab boils. I go to Gagnam KBBQ in Hillsboro for Korean food. I go to Nebbiolo in Oregon City for their steamer clams. Sometimes I drive all the way to Portland for all-you-can-eat brunch at Fogo De Chao. I also love to cook and pickle so I’ll buy some fresh veggies from the farmer’s market in Hillsboro and whip something up in my kitchen. Now I’m hungry."
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Are there any dream venues in Oregon (or elsewhere) where you'd love to perform?
A: "In 5 years? I’m hoping by Summer this coming year I’ll be headlining festivals if not at least opening for big names. I want to be as well known as Lainey Wilson, selling out venues and stadiums. Touring the country with my band mates and having a tutor for my daughter who will tag along sometimes so I don’t have to miss her. I hope to be collaborating with huge artists like Luke Combs, Jellyroll, Hardy and Stapleton. I do have one big bucket list venue and it’s the Red Rocks Amphitheater. That would be the ultimate dream and I have the work ethic to make it happen."
Q: Lastly, for all your fans reading this from Oregon and beyond, do you have a special message or piece of advice you'd like to share?
A: "It took 10 years of my auditioning EVERY year to finally get a yes from The Voice. If you love what you do and you are somewhat successful at it, then don’t let anyone’s “no” stop you from chasing your dreams. Every “no” just lit a bigger fire under my butt and made me work harder. So work hard and never stop dreaming!"
