“Don’t try to fit in. Being different is beautiful. Among other things, it means you’ve got the sense to think for yourself in a world where everyone else is trying to be everyone else.” ~IMAJ And so spawned the IMAJ album. This appropriately self-titled debut by “Country Darling” Imaj is all at once country yet genre-defying. Reflecting the anomaly that she is, this album has a native heart, childlike freedom and old soul. Imaj gracefully blends traditional, folk, bluegrass, Beatles-pop and operatic war cries with lyrics and a pure vocal range as wide and deep as her spirit. “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” a fan favorite and Imaj’s first single, is the love child of her hippie-hillbily nature that will take you for a smooth yet wild ride on a peace train. You can always tell which songs she wrote. They each have a distinct signature about them with outlaw characteristics like “Darkness” shining light on the beauty of black and doubt; “Train Song” ran some of Nashville’s most seasoned musicians off the tracks; and “Passport” a tune with a backstory and vocal range that maintains a reputation for giving all fans alike goosebumps. It’s her clever balance of unusual songwriting and pure vocal tone that makes Imaj like a rare painting fans want to win at an auction and frame for all to see. Imaj is a true artist, with that “IT” factor that industry giants are continuously on the prowl for. She’s not only a great vocalist with cross-over appeal, she’s an artist that has the most sought after trait in the industry: longevity. Snuggle her up with the greats; she’ll fit just fine next to your Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson and Beatles records.