Take a listen to ‘Christmas Time’ whilst you read
https://soundcloud.com/maggiemcclure/christmastime-again-1
What are your names?
Maggie McClure and Shane Henry
What is your genre of music?
Maggie McClure: Singer/Songwriter, Pop/Rock
Shane Henry:
Rock/Blues
Give us a little bio about you as a duo and individuals:
About Maggie McClure
The Norman, Okla-bred, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/pianist Maggie McClure has spent a good amount of her career placing her songs on TV shows such as Dr. Phil, Cougar Town, The Real World, The Vineyard, and The Hills, as well as in feature films like Cowgirls N’ Angels. Her smooth, confessional songwriting has made her a natural for these formats. Maggie has performed more than 1000 shows throughout her career in over 40+ states in the U.S. at iconic venues such as The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles to Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, and everywhere in between. Her original piano-driven songs empower and inspire listeners with a positive message of hope, love, and faith. Maggie’s third and newest album, Time Moves On — produced by Justin Glasco, whose work includes Dan Wilson (songwriter of Adele’s hit “Someone Like You”), Gary Jules, & Tyler Hilton – chronicles her move from Oklahoma to L.A. and centers on the mental and physical bravery it takes to push yourself in an unknown city and make people pay attention and convince them to be part of your dream. Maggie has recently opened for Sara Bareilles, Alicia Witt, Walk Off The Earth, Tony Lucca, and others. Additionally, you can hear her singing on ABC Family/Freeform’s “The Mistle-Tones”, as well as Disney’s “Violetta”, where she sang the English role of Violetta for Season 1 now airing worldwide on Disney Channel. You can catch her singing on an American Girl / Megabloks National Commercial now airing on TV networks such as Disney Channel and Nikelodeon. Maggie also had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at the very first NBA playoff game in Oklahoma history with more than 18,000 people in attendance.
About Shane Henry
Shane Henry, singer/songwriter/guitarist originally from Oklahoma City and now living in Los Angeles, began his musical journey at age 19 when he played 30 national dates on the B.B. King Festival Tour opening for B.B. King. He then signed with noteworthy indie label Shanachie Records, and with fellow musicians Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Kevin Bowe, Shane’s album, Deliverance, was recorded and distributed in stores nation-wide. Shane’s musical style has evolved over the years from a heavy blues-influenced style to what is now an eclectic blend of rock, soul, blues, and pop. Listeners compare his sound to Lenny Kravitz, The Black Keys, and Gary Clark Jr. Shane has opened for many notable acts such as Etta James, The Neville Brothers, Jonny Lang, Doyle Bramhall II, Edwin McCain, Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, and many others. He is currently playing shows across the country, from national festivals to popular venues and events. Shane’s new album Light in the Dark, which was fan-funded via Kickstarter, will be released in April 2017. Many TV shows including The Young and The Restless and Running Wild with Bear Grylls plus feature films such as Approaching the Unknown (starring Mark Strong and Luke Wilson) are presently featuring Shane’s music.
Maggie and Shane tour, write, record, and work together often. The dynamic duo has performed hundreds, if not thousands of shows together, including their performance of the Official Holiday Halftime Show and the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the NY Knicks in December 2015. You can hear their original holiday single “First Thing On My Christmas List” in rotation on Magic 104.1 during the holiday season. To follow up their 2015 release of EP “Happiest of Holidays”, the duo just released a new original holiday single, “Christmastime Again”.
Are you signed?
We currently are not signed, but have both had deals in the past.
Tell us more about your track ‘Christmastime Again”.
It’s a fun new original holiday track of ours that mentions many of the classic holiday songs that we all know and love. It also shines a light on the real reason for the season.
What was the writing process like for ‘Christmastime Again’ ?
Shane and I came up with the musical idea and melody for “Christmastime Again” in early 2016 and had a co-writing session specifically for the song with our co-writer Jeff Silbar in May 2016. We spent an entire day writing it, and just like the other holiday songs we’ve written with Jeff, it came very naturally. Jeff had the idea to reference well-known Christmas carols/songs in the chorus, which we agreed it made for a good chorus hook.
Will you be releasing an EP or album If so will you be doing a christmas one together or maybe a EP individually?
This year we are releasing the holiday single. Last year we released a holiday EP and next year we plan to release a holiday album. Shane is releasing a new album in 2017 and I am releasing a new EP in 2017.
Will you be touring this year?
We will both be touring for the remainder of this year and in 2017, individually and together.
If So where will you be heading?
We have a few holiday shows lined up in Dallas, TX, Norman, OK, and surrounding areas. Then in 2017 we will be on a national US tour.
What made you go in to music?
We both have always had a deep love for music. It’s an amazing form of communication. The love of music and performing both got us interested in music careers.
Maggie your music has been heard on many tv networks in the US,how was that?
It’s been awesome having my songs on many tv networks all over the world. It is very surreal to hear something in a movie theater or on TV that I wrote and am singing on.
Which one has been your favourite?
My favorite time so far of my music being featured in film/tv would have to be the opening credits of feature film, “Cowgirls N’ Angels”.
Shane you have opened up for many great musicians, did you get any advice from them?
“If you ever find yourself in a rut, write yourself out of it.”
Do you play any instruments? Maggie – I play piano.
Shane – I play guitar.
Who are your influences?
Maggie – Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLachlan
Shane – Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Buckley, Otis Redding
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
We get inspired to write songs from our life experiences, conversations, relationships, observations, our faith, nature, other music, poetry, films, and much more. We try to see the inspiration in all that we can.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In 5 years we hope to be still making music, releasing records, touring, appearing in film/tv, having our music in film/tv/commercials, taking things to the next level in general. We definitely hope to be touring internationally in the next 5 years.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Maggie – I recently found out that I’m allergic to A LOT of foods, so I’ve found that I love to bake and cook with my dietary restrictions (gluten free is the biggest one, but I’m also allergic to a dozen other foods).
Shane – I enjoy restoring classic Chevrolet trucks and sharing that hobby with my grandpa, dad, and friends.
What was the publics reaction after the release?
So far we’ve had a great response from the release! We hope more and more people will hear the song and enjoy it as it gets closer to Christmas.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
It’s not in either of our hometowns, but we’d both love to play in Tulsa, OK at Cain’s Ballroom. In Los Angeles, we’d love to play at the Troubadour.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
Maggie – I’d love to collaborate with Coldplay.
Shane – James Morrison.
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
Maggie – I’d love to collaborate with Sarah McLachlan.
Shane – Stevie Wonder.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Maggie – I don’t really think there is one song that most influenced me to have a career in music. I feel like it’s a combination of many many songs that lead to my discovery of finding that I was meant to have a career in music. But some of my very favorite songs are “Yesterday” by The Beatles and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
To be “positively persistent” when it comes to networking and following up with people in the industry.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Follow your heart, stay true to yourself, play to your strengths, keep the faith, and make a difference.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. –Henry David Thoreau
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Set lists, lots of water, merchandise, instruments, and a mental pep talk/prayer before going on stage.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes!
Maggie –
Instagram: @maggiemcclure / Twitter: @maggiemcclure / Facebook: www.facebook.com/maggiemccluremusic / YouTube: www.youtube.com/maggiemccluremusic
Shane –
Instagram: @shanehenrymusic / Twitter: @shanehenrymusic / Facebook: www.facebook.com/shanehenrymusic / YouTube: www.youtube.com/shanehenrymusic
