Jenn Rogar

I am a mother, teacher, have a law degree though I don't intend to use it in a traditional manner. I will use it to be part of the human solution for human rights. I am a rabblerouser, a folksinger and a human being in this crazy world. Back in 1992-3 I met Diane Patterson who said hey come hear me play at the Delta of Venus in Davis, CA and I said ok sure, but what's folk? That is the beginning of my love of folk. Around 1996, 1997 I bought a guitar after a few ill-fated attempts to sing in a cover band and I immediately started writing little songs and playing guitar in small coffeehouses in and around the Sacramento area. Then after a few years I had this longtime desire to go to law school and I decided I had better go now before I get to old. So I spent four long years studying the law at Lincoln Law school right here in Sacramento--a great school!- and not playing guitar much and I earned a law degree and then went back to playing and singing and writing new songs. I discovered that it is my passion to write songs and perform for folks. I discovered traditionals when I heard Myrna Lyne playing "Freight Train" by Elizabeth Cotton in a coffeehouse. I was hooked. I've added a lot of traditionals to my show, like "Skip to My Lou", "This Land is Your Land", "Somebody Got Lost in A Storm" and of course "Freight Train". I feel akin to a poet at times only with a guitar. I like sharing words, ideas, thoughts through music and song in the hope that it will help someone, heal or soothe their mind, make them laugh, become aware. I just love the interaction, the learning I get from the audience and other folk singers. I share who I am with others so that they can share and feel connected with others. I hope people like the sound of my voice and I always try to do just a little bit better than the show before. I have played at coffehouses, restaurants, peace rallies, protests, benefits for a variety of causes such as WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) here in Sacramento, CAAC (Central American Action Committee-another great Sacramento non-profit, Loaves and Fishes here in Sac, who feed, educate, employ and provide washroom facilities for the homeless, I've sang on the radio with Che Greenwood at KVMR. I am also part of peace singing group right now called the Impeachment Choir. Other members include Paul and Candy Anderson, longtime peace activists in Sacramento, Doug Austin, Bill, Jeanie Keltner, co-editor of Sacramento's only progressive newspaper, Because People Matter and longtime host of SoapBox! on Cable Channel 17. Through music and words I hope to help heal weary and angry minds including my own. The mind controls what goes on in this world. And I believe that compassion IS the new revolution. Musically, I am very influenced by Joan Baez, Kate Wolf, Holly Near, Catherine Scholz, Diane Patterson, Bob Dylan, Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly), Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger. I fell in love with traditional songs when I heard a great folksinger at the Fox & Goose one night named Myrna singing "Freight Train" by Elizabeth Cotton. I have a Bachelor's degree in history from UC Davis and naturally love these historical and often funny folk songs. I want to keep these great folk songs alive and have made traditional songs are part of my show. My goal is to stay as true to the original folk music as possible--just me and the guitar and maybe an upright bass or fiddle or a simple trio of sorts. Some recent shows I've done: a benefit for the Navajo, Julia Butterfly Hill's Circle of Life, campaign for Dave Lynch who is running for Congress against Doris Matsui, the Acoustic Barn, opening for Craig Carothers, a show at Galleria Tempest as part of the Second Saturday Artwalk in Sacramento, featured singer for the Sacramento Poetry group hosted by Frank Dixon--basically if there's a listening audience, even if its on the streets of Old Sacramento, I'm there. Look for me and say hello. Drop a buck in my tip jar--it always goes to charity! peace, jenn