When you listen to tracks like “Free,” “Fire On The Mountain,” “High Heel High,” and “Bad Habit,” you’ll wish you had a pair of cowboy boots to stomp along to the fierce beats and powerhouse vocals of Miss Jacquie Roar. Whether you’re a country music fan or not, Jacquie stands out—and not just musically. Her effortless fashion sense, commanding stage presence, and sugar-and-spice personality perfectly complement her sound, making it easy to become a fan after just one listen.
It’s no surprise Jacquie earned a Four-Chair Turn on season 24 of The Voice, where she wowed the judges and made it all the way to the finale. Since then, she’s lit up stages at major Nashville events like CMA Fest, the Opry Plaza, and the legendary Whiskey Jam.
She’s shared the spotlight with country greats like Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Gary Allan, and Kelsea Ballerini. And in true bad-ass fashion, Jacquie made history performing alongside Jelly Roll at the Oregon State Penitentiary—the first live music event on the prison yard in over two decades.
StarShine is proud to present our July 2025 cover artist: Jacquie Roar! Be sure to stream her on Spotify as you read her exclusive interview—you won’t be disappointed.
Cover photo by Allie Tellez
First, I want to say how much I love your vibe! In your own words, how would you describe yourself, your music, and your message?
Awe, thank you! Well, I would say I’m complicated. One minute it feels like we’re sky diving to a rock-driven song like “Free,” the next we’re partying together to my song “That’s the Spirit” and then, after that, we could be crying to a ballad I’ve written. I try to make you feel whatever I was feeling that day when I wrote the song. It’s much like me personally.
I’m an empath, so sometimes I write songs from a perspective of how someone else felt because I can certainly feel their pain. I’m complicated because one morning I’ll wake up feeling completely introverted and needing a break from socializing. The next day (or even a cat nap later!), I could wake up trying to throw together a last-minute crab boil feast for 30 people. I just enjoy my chaos because no matter what, I’m always doing what makes me happy.
I think the message I try to portray as an artist, mom, or even through my music, is to work hard, have fun, be healthy, find happiness and do what you love because life is so short! My music should make you feel everything from one song to the next. 🫶🏻
Who are some of your musical influences?
You can hear the 90’s through and through! I mean, give me that Stevie Nicks, Wynonna Judd all the way to Metallica and Alice In Chains. You’ll hear nods to Queen, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac. They’re like Easter eggs in my songs. I love to mix grunge rock with country. It’s a modern Lynyrd Skynyrd with a slap of Gretchen Wilson, and I’m 10 toes down on my music. It’s a much-needed lane.
You don’t seem like someone who intimidates easily, but on The Voice, were you intimidated performing for the judges and alongside Reba?
Oh, boy. I was terrified! Intimidated wasn’t even the word or feeling. I was petrified! My nerves were so bad, and I didn’t want to fail in front of my daughter. The Blinds were the worst part, if you ask me. The judges made me earn that almost all the way to the end of the song!
Singing with Reba – I was a little scared, but because my adrenaline was pumping, I was telling myself: ‘Girl, HELL YA! You’re singing with Reba!’ She made me feel confident, so it was more of me just not wanting to mess up such a cool moment.
You have such an amazing fashion sense. What are your favorite clothing stores?
You are just full of compliments! Thank you!! Okay, you’re going to laugh… but Amazon and Temu are my favorite places to look for fun outfits. I also go to Wetkiss.com for my boots, and they even created a “Jacquie Roar” boot for me because of how often I shopped there. 😆 Sometimes I get stuff and then I’ll “zhuzh it up” a bit with rhinestones or fringe, too.
With five singles released in 2025, you’re keeping busy! Is a full album in the near future?
I’m not quite big enough yet to make a whole album count. To be honest, recording music properly is so expensive. $5k-$7k per song when all is said and done, so if I released a whole album instead of one song a month, I’d be tossing $60k or so into the trash with so little streaming awareness. I’m releasing singles because it just makes more sense financially. However, once I have about 15 songs, I’ll revamp them all into an album and start selling hard copies!
Your newest single, “Free” just came out. What was the inspiration behind that song?
I have written so many songs, and a lot of them are light-hearted or vocally controlled. I wanted a song that really let me cut loose and let me belt my lungs out. I also wanted to write a song that was heavy-hitting and almost rock, but still country. Pushing the limits is what I do when it comes to art. I don’t want to be locked in a sub-genre, anyway! Some of my songs are more on the pop side and some are more on the rock side. This one by far represents me the MOST though.
In your experience, what is the best part about being a music artist? What is the worst part about it?
The best is the traveling part. I get to see things I’ve only seen in pictures and, trust me, it’s even more beautiful. I also get to meet so many people that love my art or just love me as a human. It’s nice to finally feel that love after so many years of bullying and rejection. I get to give love and receive it. The worst part is also the traveling part because I have to be away from my family, and I miss them dearly. My daughter and I are so close, so it’s hard on her sometimes to share me with the world. My goal though, is to become so close, so it’s hard on her sometimes to share me with the world. My goal though, is to become so huge that I can just afford to bring them all with me everywhere! 😂
Recently, you performed with Jelly Roll at the Oregon State Penitentiary. What made you decide to do that and how was the experience? Any interesting stories from that event?
There’s a lot to say about this event! This is probably going to be a long read here LOL. First of all, when I got the call, the gentleman had to disclose to me that he was one of the inmates and he was in charge of setting this show up. He obviously had a superior that was not an inmate, but he wanted to make sure he was transparent and that I was comfortable. When he explained the event, there was no mention of Jelly Roll. In fact, it was supposed to be me and one other artist from another singing competition television show. I said I would do it once they explained the safety precautions they have in place and that I would be performing for people who have been on their best behavior and/or are close to the end of their sentences.
About a month or two after I agreed, I got an email from an industry person asking me if I could talk Huntley into performing there as well, since I brought him to the Oregon State Fair. That’s also when I found out Jelly Roll was going to perform. Needless to say, it didn’t take much for Huntley to say yes! Now…here comes the juicy stuff! I have never in my life been in a prison yard, so coming through the gate was definitely intimidating. I invited my whole band to come, even though it was just an acoustic performance, because I wanted them to share the experience and meet Jelly Roll, too. When we walked in, the yard started chanting my name. I was overwhelmed. The staff was so kind. They knew I was missing lunch because of the time crunch between sound check at the Oregon State Fair and performing at OSP and then having to run back to the State Fair to start my show on time, so they had lunch and snacks prepared for me and my band!
The AICs (Adults in Custody) created their own “ticket stubs” and laminated passes for the show. It was so cute. I realized once I got my bearings that the AIC’s had also set up a full backline. They set up a drum kit and had guitars that the Prison Blues department actually handmade! I looked at my bandmates and I said, ‘Let’s give them an actual show. We gotta do it!’ I know it was a risky move because you never want to upstage any artist, and I knew Huntley and Jelly were doing acoustic, but I just had to! They put all that effort in, and I swear the AIC sound guy had puppy eyes just begging for a full show.
Before I went on stage, I saw there were orange vests and I asked what they were for. The staff told me if I wanted to go into the yard to talk to the AICs that I could, but I had to wear a vest so they could keep me safe. So, I threw one on and went into the yard. I instantly felt protected by the AICs. They were keeping the eager ones in line, and it was actually not scary anymore. The staff allowed the AICs to present me with gifts, as well. The inmates had painted pictures of me, made me keepsakes, and even made me a Prison Blues jacket. They also gave one of my guitarists a Prison Blues guitar they made.
I performed a 45-minute set, cracked some jokes in between, and by the end of it they were all chanting my name. I was shedding tears. It was intense. While Huntley was getting settled in to prepare for his set, I went back out to sign things for the guys and give them all a true thank you. Then, Jelly Roll came in. I waited a few minutes before I approached him, and when I did, he was like “Yo! I know you! You sang my song on The Voice with my boy with the hair (Bias). I follow you on IG!” I said, “Yes, Jelly!! First of all, so nice to meet you, and second of all, Bunny is so HOT!!!” He started cracking up. That’s when I asked him to sign my Prison Blues jacket.
After a few minutes of shooting the breeze, I got the guts up to ask him if he would do a TikTok with me, and he asked me what I wanted to do. I said “Sing your song…” and that’s when he said “No, just get on stage with me and sing it!” I was floored. That dude is so cool. That whole situation was so cool. I was so imprinted on by that experience. I even coordinated with OSP’s mail room to open fan mail for a couple of months. I responded to every single letter I received, and I appreciated every compliment I received.
It was a hard thing for me to decide to be a part of it. On one hand, they are criminals. However, on the other hand, they’re serving their time, and sometimes good people make bad choices. It’s all circumstantial, and it’s not my place to judge. It’s my place to share hope and joy with my gift so I am so glad I did it.
Thank you so much for sharing that experience with us! Do you have any other upcoming news you want to share?
Yes! As of today, I am officially signed to a booking agency. It’s going to make life so much easier and I’ll finally be able to build a tour! Also, I’m releasing another single…so, stay tuned!
What message do you have for your fans and future fans out there?
First, I want to take a moment to thank you for this interview and for allowing your fan base to get to know me. I am grateful for the opportunity. Shout out to my publicist, Colleen Lippert, for setting us up together.
I want everyone to know that there is an artist for everyone out there. No matter what path you’re on, there’s one person that you can relate to. Hopefully, that one person is me! If you haven’t been moved in some way by any of the songs I’ve released yet, I promise that song is coming. I want to earn your support and you will see that through my hard work and consistency.
Music is my heart, soul, and home. It’s like family to me. You’re a part of that and I will always be grateful to my day-one fans and my rookie league just learning my music. I appreciate you all! The best is yet to come! Thank you for spending time getting to know me.
This article was published in our July 2025 issue.
Want the full magazine experience? Flip through the July 2025 issue here!
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Sandy Lo is an author, blogger, journalist, and digital strategist. Her personal story is inspiring. Sandy started StarShine Magazine, an online publication in 2001, at the age of 18. She wrote her first novel in 2009, “Lost In You,” followed by the “Dream Catchers” Series. She was the first person ever to professionally interview Taylor Swift and has received personal endorsements for her books from members of boy bands Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees.
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