The trio known as Exposé and solo performer Shannon — who had some of the hottest dance hits in the LGBT nightclubs of the 1980s and have continued to have successful careers ever since — are the headlining performers for Metroball 2018: Lucky No. 13, the annual fundraising party for the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund, being held next Friday, June 29, at S4.
Dallas Voice got the entertainers to sit down and answer a few questions to help their fans gear up for the party.
— Tammye Nash
Dallas Voice: The three of you have been performing together since 1986, and are still drawing crowds. To what do you credit the longevity of Exposé? Exposé: It seems that most people have an Exposé story for us. A memory of when they heard our music from a specific time in their lives. Coming to see us perform reminds them of those memories.
I have seen an interview in which Jeanette Jurado said the three of you are truly like sisters. My sister and I get in arguments sometimes, so I would think you three do, too. How do you settle the arguments? And what role do you think the close relationship between the three of you plays in your continued success? As with siblings. There are various ways to settle arguments, we try to talk things out whenever possible. It’s natural that in life feelings get hurt and opinions vary, but we’ve been together for so long that when something comes up that’s really an issue we try to compromise and consider everyone’s feelings. Performing together definitely plays in our success. How can anyone sing “Point of No Return” while being angry? Never happen!
Musical trends are constantly changing, and a lot of the stars from the 1980s have not adapted. What makes your music from those early years remain so popular, and how has your music evolved through the years? Our music reminds people of a simpler time in their lives. Our world is complicated now ,and hearing those great dance songs has a way of transporting people back to a happier place. We have stayed the course throughout our careers and have done well. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel or be something that we’re not. We have fun and that fun is infectious.
Exposé has always been a gay favorite. What role have your gay fans played in your success through the years? Our gay fans have been with us from the beginning and that’s really where we got our start. Many of our songs came out of the gay clubs and then became popular in the mainstream. Let’s face it — gay clubs play the best music! And the fans are unbelievably loyal. Through thick and thin, we can always count on our gay fan base to keep us going and keep us smiling.
How are your concerts/performances for mainly LGBT audiences — like the one coming up at MetroBall — different from the other performances? We get to let loose and not worry about our show being G-rated. Expect to hear a few crass comments. You’re gonna love it!
What’s your favorite part of touring/performing? And what’s part you dislike the most? Favorite is performing and hanging out with each other. Least favorite part is the flying! Oh, and packing! You’d think we would have it down to a science, but there always seems to be that nagging feeling that we forgot something.
What’s coming up for Exposé ? Where are you headed to after Dallas? We are packed with shows this year and will be headed off the following weekend to Santa Barbara. Really, there are worse places to be.
What have I not asked about that you want people to know? Just how grateful we are to still be out there, performing and getting to know people. Not many artists these days have the opportunity as we all do, and we are constantly reminded of the blessing we have all been given through music and the audience that comes out to have fun with us. Thanks, everyone! See you in Dallas
Shannon
Dallas Voice: For many of us who were coming out in the 1980s and finding our community and ourselves in the gay bars, your music was the soundtrack for much of our lives. Why do you think your music has resonated so well with the LGBT community? Shannon: It represented a new era and genre, coming out. I had the No. 22 best song in the world ever recorded, a top club track that cranks up a party.
How do you think your LGBT fans have affected your career? I have had staying power in the music industry for 35 years and counting because of the LGBT community.
Why do you think you have remained popular for more than 30 years, when others have not? My fans love me. My music is timeless, and so am I.
How has your music evolved over the years? Dance, EDM and Freestyle.
How do you think you as a person have evolved and grown? I believe support and allegiance is the best thing we can do for one another.
What is your life like outside of your music career? What causes/events are especially dear to you? Caring for family and friends. All my events are special.
What’s coming up for you? Tours? New music? Concerts, one hour special of my life’s story( TV One) UNSUNG. New music and classic releases coming up in October and my 35-year anniversary … For updates, join my Instagram page, “Shannon, The Queen of Freestyle.”
What have I not asked about that you want people to know? Shannon is the Queen of Dance, EDM and Freestyle!
