EGAN EAGER
Walter Egan could be considered a modern Zelig of sorts, a man who brushed shoulders with any number of notable artists and entertainers during a career that goes back nearly 45 years. He’s known best for his Top 10 single, “Magnet and Steel,” a song culled from his second album, Not Shy, and featuring shared contributions from Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks during their initial association with Fleetwood Mac. However, it’s the role he played in helping to connect Gram Parsons with Emmylou Harris (he wrote “Hearts on Fire” for Parsons prior to cutting it with his band Sageworth and later seeing it become successful with the group Night) — not to mention his participation in the surf band the Malibooz, the country-rock outfit the Brooklyn Cowboys and in the later incarnations of both the Burrito Brothers and Spirit — that also bolstered his career, even after he was dropped by the major labels and forced to release records on independent labels.
That said, his star connections continued even after his musical career went on hiatus between 1983-99. “Magnet and Steel” saw extended life in the films Boogie Nights and Overnight Delivery. He’s listed as a cowriter on the Eminem hit “We Made You,” courtesy of a bass line borrowed from Egan’s song “Hot Summer Nights.” Still, most surprisingly of all, Egan became known as a game-show champion, becoming a four-time winner on such shows as Catchphrase and Scrabble.
Nevertheless, for the past 20 years, Egan has continued to release records independently, and his latest is Fascination. An astute combination of his trademark Americana with added elements of rockabilly and twang, it shows Egan’s still in fine form.
Goldmine spoke to him recently from his home in Franklin, Tennessee, near Nashville.
GOLDMINE: You’ve had a long and prolific career, one that includes your solo albums as well as occasional efforts with various side projects. What got you started on this career path in the first place?
I started writing songs when I was
