“Getting back on stage was a great feeling. I got itchy feet for like the past five months, and singing is my passion.
“That’s what I love to do.”
In fact, it had been seven long months since Jerri Rouw, or Just Jerri when she’s onstage, was able to perform live in front of a crowd — the COVID-19 pandemic closing down venues, and musicians.
Saturday at Slackwater Brewing, Rouw was back on stage, and sang her heart out.
“Not being able to sing gets depressing — when you’re not able to play an instrument or do what you want to do,” added Rouw. “It’s nice to get in front of a crowd again and make everyone happy and dance, and share my talent.”
Of course, things have changed since Rouw played her last live set Jan. 25 at Slackwater.
A big piece of plexiglass now hangs in front of the stage, protecting musicians and patrons.
“It makes the acoustics sound a little bit weird, it definitely bounces back the sound, and you’re staring through a piece of plexiglass,” she offered. “I guess that’s the new normal with us for musicians.”
Just Jerri entertained the Slackwater crowd with a variety of music, from rock and roll, to jazz, to soul.
Since it was the first time on stage for Jerri and guitar player Kevin Fai in more than half a year, a couple songs didn’t start out as planned, resulting in a brief stoppage, and restart.
“It’s an interesting feeling where we haven’t been onstage for a long time, so of course you’re going to be a little bit rough,” she said. “You have to work out the kinks. But it happens, and you just have to keep going.
“It will take time — once we get back into the flow and everything starts to open up again.”
Rouw says it’s been tough to start booking shows with COVID-19 still affecting so many people.
“Not at the moment. A lot of places are opening up, then closing down, then opening up again,” she said. “I’ve had weddings cancelled. I’ve had winery gigs cancelled. I used to play the casino, but they’re not going to open up probably until a vaccine comes out.”
In somewhat of a blessing, COVID-19 has pushed Jerri Rouw to think bigger when it comes to her music career.
“We’re just laying low and recorded a lot of music at home," said Jerri. "Right now I’m recording an album. It’s going to be released in the fall on all platforms of social media.
“Yeah, that’s been a project I’ve been working on all summer. With COVID you can’t perform out, so you might as well make music at home.”
Not performing has also put a financial strain on Jerri Rouw, as it has with many musicians who could not perform live in recent months.
“It’s financially tough for sure," she said. "Over the summer I had so many gigs booked, and probably lost out on thousands of dollars. They have CERB for people working 9 to 5 jobs, but not for musicians. So I’m thankful I work three other jobs.”
Rouw would love to sing and record and perform full time — a career path she can’t go down at this point until the world rids itself of coronavirus.
“Oh yes, for sure. If I really put my heart and soul into it and made the full on effort," said Rouw. "But I just like playing around town for now, and doing a lot of recording.
“It’s more of a fun little chill hobby than anything.”
Just Jerri will be back to perform at Slackwater Brewing Sept. 26.
