Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with IMAAI.
Tell us about your music.
My music is chill rock and roll with country and jazz elements.
When did you start performing?
I’ve been a musician for over 35 years, and spent the first 15 years in bands and taking lessons. I spent 12 years in Denver for college and grad school and work and music. In 2001, my wife and I moved to Rockford, IL. We had a baby on the way and music became an elaborate hobby. I was in bands, but I had to be careful with my time.
About 10 years ago, when my kids were older, I decided it was time to get back into music aggressively. I started taking singing lessons, and learning more from different styles and writing songs and performing.
All those pieces have been coming together nicely, and the project is going great!
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
I grew up in Tulsa, OK which is where I really took a strong interest in music. I consider Tulsa my home in so many ways, from spending my formative years there, it has a rich musical legacy, I have many friends there, and know it for the wonderful city it is.
I dabbled in some lessons as a kid, but my real music development at that time was loving the southern style rock and roll I was surrounded by.
When I graduated from high school, I moved to Denver for college and buried myself in learning guitar.
If I spent a Summer in Tulsa during college, I took lessons. During those years of late teens and twenties, I wanted to be a southern style player/song writer.
That started with Tulsa.
What performers have been your inspiration?
Oh there’s so many, but the ones that spring to mind immediately: Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Cornell and Kimbra.
Eric Clapton always appealed to me even before I started playing an instrument. JJ Cale has the smoothest rock and roll I can think of. He’s one of the original creators of The Tulsa Sound. And, he was a big influence on Clapton. Listen to the record The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale. It’s outstanding.
Stevie Ray came out like a thunderbolt. Everything about him was incredible to me. I couldn’t get enough. I was devastated when he died.
I’ve been a fan of Chris Cornell since Soundgarden, I’ve seen every music project he was in live. His evolution as a songwriter and performer is incredible. Like Stevie, when I heard Chris Cornell had died, it was terrible.
Kimbra is my favorite songwriter right now. She is incredible. I haven’t seen her live, YET, but I’ve seen her videos and she is such a unique and innovative artist. She really stands alone.
What do you base your success on?
I always try to be responsible, respectful and reliable. These are basics and the parts I can control. For the surprises I can’t control, I try to adapt and improvise quickly.
Then, by some miracle I am writing songs that people enjoy listening to. I can’t explain that part, but I am eternally grateful.
What was your latest musical release?
My latest record is titled Travelin’ Light. This record is me, my guitar and my friend Abbey adding a female vocal presence. She is fantastic. I wanted to keep these songs as close to their basic elements as possible, and it worked. This record won Album of the Year in the 2023 Rockford Area Music Industry Awards.
These songs are mainly about my family, and other people I care about. A theme or inspiration behind these songs (all my songs really), is that everyone is fighting a silent battle we know nothing about, so be kind.
If the song isn’t directly carrying that idea in a story, then I hope hearing it gives people a sense that there are good things out there, some people do care. Everything will be OK.
Do you have any news to share?
Yes, I recently started putting together another record. With this one there will be a full band behind the songs. I have some friends that play in a couple different jazz bands locally, and they are going to be that band. I am so excited about that. It is a privilege and a huge compliment. I can’t wait to hear it!
How can fans find you?
My site: www.danmaguiremusic.com
Insta: danmaguiremusic01
FB:www.facebook.com/maguiremusic01
Tik Tok: @danmaguiremusic
Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
I’m having a great time with this music project, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities I have gotten and continue to get with this.
And for all the support from clapping to compliments to likes and shares, thank you. It means the world!
Check my calendar and comes see me.
Thx!