A Dirty Dozen with MAGGIE MCCLURE and SHANE HENRY from THE IMAGINARIES – November 2019

According to a recent press release: “Oklahoma husband / wife duo, The Imaginaries, Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals), announce holiday album Hometown Christmas just in time for their 25-date tour with The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s “Christmas Rocks! Tour,” which begins November 15 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, MN – purchase tickets HERE.  The album features 13 tracks (track listing below) of originals, including the title track “Hometown Christmas” which they debuted on FOX’s Living Oklahoma yesterday, and holiday favorites, and will be out November 15th. The Imaginaries, who’s holiday songs are featured in numerous Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, in rotation at restaurants/retailers like a Macy’s, FedEx, Walgreens, Panera Bread, and Kohl’s, and on the radio throughout the world, will be playing holiday favorites, originals, and new songs off their upcoming debut album (out 2020), throughout the tour.  They’ve also performed at numerous NBA halftime shows including at the NY Knicks, OKC Thunder, and Charlotte Hornets.” We get Shane and Maggie to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Maggie: We are super excited about the recent release of our debut original single, “Thinking ‘Bout You”! It’s been a long time coming and we are thrilled to have this song out there for the world to hear as we begin the rollout of our debut album. We’re also really looking forward to the upcoming release of our new original holiday single, “Hometown Christmas”! There’s always hidden nuggets we put in the recordings!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Shane: My parents introduced me to some great music growing up. I knew I wanted to be a musician when my dad took me to see BB King and also Tom Petty when I was in middle school.

Maggie: My mom and dad got me my first keyboard when I was 1 year old. I distinctly remember playing around on it and loving every moment. I started piano lessons when I was 5 and have always known I wanted to be a musician.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Shane: BB King and Tom Petty live, as mentioned. Stevie Ray Vaughn also had a huge influence on my musical taste.

Maggie: Bonnie Raitt, Amy Grant and Sarah McLachlan certainly guided my musical taste.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Shane: Between the two of us and with The Imaginaries in mind, I’d say our main five musical influences are Tom Petty, Allison Krauss and Robert Plant, Bonnie Raitt, The Beatles, and Fleetwood Mac.

5. If you could call on any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Maggie: It would be amazing to do a song with Paul McCartney. We sometimes cover “Eleanor Rigby” and it’d be a dream come true to perform it with him! We saw him in concert a few years back and his show and performance was incredibly impressive.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Shane: Our music is singer/songwriter Americana with a touch of blues, rock, and folk. Thankfully reviewers have been pretty spot on when comparing us to other musical acts!

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Maggie: I’m definitely the cook and Shane would be the one to crack out the acoustic guitar for a singalong!

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Shane: We recently ran into filmmaker/actor Ron Howard at a hotel we were performing a private event at. He ended up coming to the event and listening to us play a few songs! He was very friendly, but we were definitely star struck!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Maggie: The best part of being a musician is having the gift to create and perform music to inspire and move others. If I could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, whatever I did, I would want to help others (perhaps I would be a writer, life coach or counselor).

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Shane: I always have wanted an interviewer to ask what other hobbies I have besides music. I have always loved to work on classic trucks!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Maggie: No. I truly feel like everything has happened the way it was always supposed to and I’m grateful for each step along the way. Life is too short for regrets!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Shane: It would be amazing to be a part of Tom Petty’s Wildflowers. That record has some of the best songwriting ever and it just connects when you listen to it.

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Category: Interviews