Ruger performs at Bella Vita
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Since Twin Lakes native Megan Ruger left for Nashville to pursue her rock star dreams, she has gone through the hills and valleys of show business, but continues to persevere.
Ruger, otherwise known as Megan Pflueger, a former contestant of “The Voice” and “American Idol” made a hometown appearance at Bella Vita Banquets in New Munster on April 1.
“I love playing in Wisconsin, I will never forget my roots,” Ruger said. “I have played everywhere, the Brat Stop, and at the Rave for the first time last May.”
However, the 28-year-old, who graduated from Lake Geneva Badger in 2005, acknowledged she has faced struggles in her seven years living in Nashville, where she performed on the Broadway Strip.
The former contestant of two national contests said the fierce competition in Nashville makes it difficult.
“It is always a struggle when you live in Nashville, because there is so much talent there,” Ruger said. “Everybody goes there, everybody lives there.”
Ruger, whose music income consists mainly of tips, has taken on several other jobs in Nashville to offset living expenses.
Additionally, being a female singer whose primary music genre is pop and rock, is another barrier to overcome.
“You have to set yourself apart from everyone else, and I did,” Ruger said. “I did ‘The Voice’ because I have been playing on Broadway in Nashville for tips and it is such a grueling career.”
“If you are a female on top of it, you have a harder struggle. For some reason, men have it easier in Nashville,” she added.
As she follows her dream, she has always maintained a commitment to her hometown Twin Lakes, appearing at the July 4 Libertyfest.
“I love coming back to help the community,” she said.
Prior to her pursuit of music stardom, she reflected on her time as a golf cart attendant at Hawks View Golf Course in Lake Geneva.
“It was actually one of the most favorite jobs I ever had, outside of music,” she said. “I golf myself and have always worked at golf courses.”
Owner Brian Boeckenstedt of Bella Vita recalled a time when he golfed at Hawks View.
“I golfed a lot and remember her serving at the beverage cart,” he said.
Boeckenstedt told the Report the singer wanted to perform at Bella Vita earlier.
“She wanted to come in December, but we didn’t have time to set up and promote it,” Boeckenstedt said. “Then she got ahold of me about two months ago and said she would be in the area.”
Before Ruger left for Nashville, she performed the national anthem at Country Thunder when she was 16 until she left on a whim as a 20-year-old University of Wisconsin-Green Bay student.
“When I left for Nashville, I had no idea what I was getting into,” she explained. “I just thought I would take in the city and then I quickly learned it was about finding who you are.”
As Ruger discovered herself, she snagged opportunities across the United States.
She sang the national anthem at Dover International Speedway, and most recently opened for her idol, Joan Jett, at the Jefferson County Fair.
In 2014, she was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” where she was a member of Blake Shelton’s team.
The full story appears in the April 8 print edition of the Westosha Report