Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Gabriel.
Hi Jade, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Jade Gabriel, my story starts as a little girl slowly following in my father’s (Wetzel Robertson Jr.) footsteps. He was in a band in the early 90’s called Barfly Celebrity and quickly the band became a local legend. I first found my voice at three years old, I would call my dad while he was at work and my mom was home with me and I could recite every word to Don McLean’s “American Pie” over the phone. Putting on concerts in our living room became a regular thing from there on out. As I grew older I played in school, the trumpet, cello, choir etc. But it never felt as natural as enjoying the music I really loved. When I turned 13, my father took me to my first open mic at a local pub, we then started gigging together from then on out, he taught me everything he knew, stage presence, guitar and how to stretch my vocals to the best of my ability. Fast forward several years later I ended up meeting my (now) husband at an open mic in Hanover, PA and the rest was history, we stayed in touch over the years, doing our own things, I was still gigging regularly with my dad and frequenting local open mics as often as I could. In 2020 when COVID-19 hit, the gigging came to a halt. However, Facebook live was a way that my dad and I could still put on those living room concerts while also giving people something to smile about. Unfortunately in January of 2022, the pandemic had deeply affected my family and we lost my dad. I lost my passion for music, it didn’t feel the same. In March of 2022, after two years of hiatus, Ryan (my husband) reached out to me and we started our own duo (Vir & Allo) I got my passion back, we started gigging full time, paying our bills off of the late night shows and tips that we earned. Each of us played in other groups, I myself partnering with an original “Barfly Celebrity” member (Aaron Shadis) and starting “Omaha Peach”. It has been such an honor to bring my own sound to Baltimore while also remembering my dad and bringing his music back to the city he loved. My husband and I welcomed our little boy into the world April of last year so it has slowed down for me a bit gig wise BUT, Vir & Allo is about to do a complete re-brand, to our group and also renaming the band, the new group name is “The Mooring Lines” which will include the addition of 3 new members, Susanna Bainbridge as a vocalist, Steven Bainbridge as the cellist and Eric Gabriel on the keys. We are actively looking for a guitarist to add as well. This is is exciting for all of us and we are looking forward to the opportunities it will bring collectively and individually!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Music is not a smooth road, ever. Playing the bar gigs 3-5 days a week for 3-4 hours can be stressful, especially if you are relying on shows for your main source of income, it will always be hit or miss no matter how much marketing you do. What makes it easier is the family, friends and followers you gain along the way that come out to support you no matter where or no matter what.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the lead singer and guitarist of a group currently called Vir & Allo with my Husband Ryan Gabriel as well as (I like to say) 1/2 of Omaha Peach, doing both singing and guitar along with my partner Aaron Shadis who has been an excellent mentor and friend. I preform cover songs and original songs at local bars and restaurants, some say I am most known for my rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Bobby McGee” which I used to cover with my father prior to his passing, it has been my signature show closer for a decade. I am also known for bringing my dad’s original music back to life the most popular being “Head of God” that he preformed with his previous band Barfly Celebrity. As of now my husband and I are working on writing an EP which we hope to have released by the fall with the added members to our group coming up.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love about Baltimore is how much the community cares for one another and supports each other, what I least like is the misconceptions made about the city based on predisposition and misinformation. I saw a quote once that said “people love to hate Baltimore except for the people who LIVE in Baltimore.” and it is so true, the city is so much more than what people think it is, especially for the artists that work in it.
Pricing:
- $1,200 Full Band 3 Hour
- $600 Trio 3 Hour
- $400 Duo 3 Hour
- $300 Solo 3 Hour
Contact Info:
