"The only rule at The Bluebird is to be quiet," Rohan told The Missourian. "There is no conversation allowed . . . It's all about the music there.
"It's nerve-racking, because as a musician, you're used to playing in bars, you're used to some background noise."
Rohan, who grew up in Pacific and now lives in Villa Ridge, won the opportunity for a solo performance at The Bluebird through a tough audition process held almost a year ago, in November 2008. About 100 people auditioned, said Rohan, but only two - he and one other - were invited back to perform live at a Writer's Night.
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Many people in the music industry will come to The Bluebird looking for a hit song to buy, he said.
"You really see a lot of talent out there," Rohan remarked.
So he was truly humbled at the chance to play his music on its hallowed stage. Rohan performed his songs "Golden Rail," "Here Lies My Heart," "One Bar Room Tonight," "Fly" and "Roadhouse," a few of which you can listen to on his My Space page at www.myspace.com/edrohan.
He selected those songs "because they were more "traditional, songwriter songs," he said. "They had more country influence."
Some of the songs were newer, but at least one was a couple of years old. The audience was receptive to the sound, he said.
Rohan describes his music as rock 'n' roll with country influences and says some of his favorite musicians are people like John Mellencamp, James Taylor (for songwriting) and Van Halen, just to name a few. On his My Space page, he adds Waylon Jennings, Jim Croce, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Bob Seger to that list.
"I listen mostly to old music," admits Rohan, but he also is interested in new musicians. He mentioned Jason Mraz, specifically, as someone who is doing something different with music, "quality," "witty."
Rohan recorded his first solo album, "Will Work for Fuel," in 2007. He's currently writing music for a second album, due out in early spring 2010 or late winter 2010.
Rohan, who is a single father to two kids, 8-year-old Emma and 6-year-old Gab, works as an independent contractor during the day and manages Otis Campbell's, a bar and music venue in downtown Washington. He spends some time every day writing for his music, although it may only be a sentence or two.
"You always have to keep writing," he said. "You can't sit around and wait for inspiration."
Rohan performs his music both solo and with his band at bars, wineries and clubs around the area.
Music has been part of Rohan's life since he was a kid. He's always written his own lyrics and music, but only now feels he's writing anything really good.
His parents, Mary Ann and David Rohan, Pacific/Wildwood area, were always supportive, said Rohan. His brother, who works for a church, also plays music and performs with Rohan in the band.
With his first performance at The Bluebird under his belt, Rohan said he looks forward to the day when he can go back to perform again.
"People told me, 'You have to move to Nashville,' but that's just not possible for me right now. I did make a lot of good connections with writers and bands," said Rohan.
And Nashville is just a 5 1/2 hour drive away, he pointed out.
Local Performances
If you would like to hear Ed Rohan perform, he has a number of local shows planned through October:
This Friday, Oct. 9, he will be at Eureka Wine House in Eureka at 7 p.m.;
Saturday, Oct. 10, at Bias Winery in Berger at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, at Augusta Wine and Beer Garden in Augusta at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17, at John G.'s Bier Deck in downtown Washington at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Washington Brewfest After Party in downtown Washington at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24, at Blumenhof Winery in Dutzow at noon; and
Saturday, Nov. 7, at Montelle Winery in Augusta at 1 p.m.
