Renowned Gastonia blues musician battling effects of chronic illness in hospital (video)

A celebrated Gastonia blues singer famous for seducing audiences with her soulful voice is now trying to overcome the debilitating effects of a chronic disease.

Robin Rogers is well known in Gaston County and across the country for her talents with a microphone in hand. When not singing at local clubs, she often tours elsewhere in the United States and overseas. In 2009, she performed during the 30^th annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tenn., when she was nominated for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year.

But acting on her love of music has recently taken a backseat to coping with the symptoms of Hepatitis C. Rogers was admitted to Gaston Memorial Hospital on Aug. 18 after suffering from internal bleeding due to varices, or enlarged veins, in her esophagus and other areas — a common symptom of the illness.

“She’s been really, really sick and it’s been really, really scary,” said Rogers’ husband of 12 years, Tony Rogers, who plays guitar in their blues band. “For the most part, she just woke up a day or two ago. She was supposed to go home (Tuesday), but her blood pressure started dropping a few days ago and she started bleeding again.”

Rogers has had three endoscopies and is slated to undergo surgery in Charlotte this week.

“At one point, the doctor told me the biggest problem we’d have is waking her up,” said Tony Rogers. “But she’s had some good moments. Right now, she’s pretty optimistic.”

Triumphing over tragedy

Rogers, 55, is originally from the Tidewater Virginia region. She has long been open about the troubled family life that led her to run away from home as a teenager, which coaxed her into abusing drugs and alcohol as she struggled to take care of herself.

Rogers has led a clean and sober lifestyle for more than two decades. But she believes she contracted Hepatitis C from sharing needles years ago.

“She’s made no secrets about it,” said Tony Rogers. “We found out 12 or 15 years ago when we went to buy her health insurance and she couldn’t get any. She’s taken really good care of herself for 22 years, but it’s finally catching up with her.”

Rogers’ recent story is one of a singer and performer who achieved salvation from substance abuse through the love of her craft. She met Tony Rogers 15 years ago when she was performing country and rock ‘n’ roll house music at several Gastonia clubs.

“When you’re in a house band, you don’t have a career. You have a job,” said Tony Rogers. “I told her me and you could make a living doing this.”

Rogers had been on a 40-day tour of the west coast recently with other renowned blues musicians such as guitar player Debbie Davies. She performed during a festival in Norway with fellow singers Janiva Magness and Thornetta Davis as the “Women Who Cook.”

She and her husband had just returned from a trip to Missouri and Kansas last month when she had to be admitted to the hospital. Her lack of insurance has made her mounting medical bills a daunting reality, and she can’t make money performing while battling her condition.

“Suddenly we’re unemployed,” said Tony Rogers. “They don’t pay unemployment to musicians.”

Support system

Robin Rogers has recorded several CDs over the years, and her newest one, “Back in the Fire,” will be released Sept. 11. A planned CD release party at Gaston College has been canceled due to her illness. But fans can still order the CD and past releases at www.robinrogers.com.

Ordering from that website, instead of other sources such as amazon.com or iTunes, puts more of the money in Robin Rogers’ hands, her husband said.

A pair of fundraisers have also been planned to help with her medical expenses. One will be a nonprofit yard sale held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Bluffs at Northwoods apartment complex in Gastonia. Several bands will also perform during a special concert to benefit Rogers on Oct. 17 in Charlotte at the Double Door Inn, although details are still being worked out.

In the meantime, fans who want to donate directly to the Robin Rogers Medical Trust Fund can do so by making a deposit at any Bank of America, using the account number 0006-5617-0126. Checks may also be mailed to Rachel Pickard, Attorney at Law Trustee, at P.O. Box 547, Gastonia, NC 28053.

Tony Rogers said keeping up with his wife’s Facebook page is the best way to follow her progress. He has been reading her some of the comments and well-wishes fans have left in recent days.

“She’s really thankful and really appreciates it,” he said. “We appreciate all the great prayers.”

You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826.

Want to help?

Fans who would like to offer financial support to Gastonia blues singer Robin Rogers have several options, including the following:

* A nonprofit yard sale to benefit the Robin Rogers Medical Trust Fund will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Bluffs at Northwoods apartments, 1850 Yellowstone Court, Gastonia. New and used items of all kinds will be available, and those who would like to donate goods can call Linda Williams at 704-867-6694.

* Donations to the Robin Rogers Medical Trust Fund may be made at any Bank of America branch by using the account number 0006-5617-0216. Checks may also be mailed to Rachel Pickard, Attorney at Law Trustee, P.O. Box 547, Gastonia, NC 28053.