Alexa and Avery Roemer are two kids from Orange County with a passion: rescue dogs. They shared that passion with Stagecoach attendees through their band, A. Rae and the Rescue Dogs.
Alexa, 10, and Avery, 9, were born into a musical family. Their mother, Kelly Rae, leads the Kelly Rae Band, which also performed this weekend in the Honky Tonk Tent. Their father, Jack Roemer, plays bass in Rae and the Rescue Dogs and is the songwriter. The two girls began performing last summer—but they’ve been singing for quite a while, thanks to their musical family.
When the A. Rae and the Rescue Dogs performed in the Half-Pint Hootenanny on Saturday, Alexa explained their mission: “We hope our show inspires you to get a dog,” she said.
All of the songs are about dogs, and the girls have even recorded a CD to benefit rescue dogs. They make appearances at animal-related fundraisers and occasionally make an appearance onstage with their mom’s band. During Stagecoach, half of the proceeds from CD sales onsite were earmarked for Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that provides service animals to people with disabilities.
“I’m passionate about rescue dogs, because our dog is a rescue dog,” Alexa Roemer said during an interview in the press tent. “Our Aunt Lisa rescued him, and we were trying to find him a home. He came from an abandoned home. We thought, ‘Wow, there are so many dogs out there that are like that.’ So to think are a lot of dogs put down every week—I think every dog should have a home instead.”
Avery Roemer echoed her sister’s sentiments: “I think every dog should have a home and should be loved and cared for.”
With their parents close by during the interview, Alexa said she’s happy her father is the songwriter for the band.
“I think it’s cool that he writes our songs,” Alexa said. “He’s really good at it, and I’m glad he’s doing it instead of us.”
Both Alexa and Avery said they do feel a bit nervous at times while performing in front of audiences, but they do it out of passion for the cause of rescue dogs.
“I don’t really get nervous except when I mess up the words,” Avery said. “But I like going onstage and singing to the crowd. I also like selling our CDs.”
As for Stagecoach, both were excited to be seeing Carrie Underwood, given they love American Idol, although they were also looking forward to seeing other performers as well.
“I think we can see some people perform and take some influence from them. I think that would be very cool, and I think it’s going to be very fun to perform here,” Alexa said. “I’ve always liked Carrie Underwood’s music.”
Avery agreed.
“Carrie Underwood is one of my favorite singers—along with my mom,” Avery Roemer said. “I’m really excited to see her.”
For more information, visit www.songsaboutdogs.net.
