Stevie Connor

Bio:

Scottish born Stevie started to play the Highland Bagpipes at the age of ten, receiving tuition from his father Danny , Five Times World Champion and later from the Incredible Charlie Macleod Williamson of Edinburgh

Always interested in other styles of music Stevie not only Plays The Highland Bagpipes but also sings , plays the guitar , small pipes , Celtic whistles and bodhran

He Currently lives in Ontario , Canada having moved there in late 2009 and has spent most of 2010 writing new material and performing acoustic sets at a few selected venues , he is currently recruiting a band and has some exciting new projects in the Pipeline for 2011....watch for the updates

His compositions have been featured on the BBC , and have been recorded and published by other artists such as Dougie Pincock and Wolfstone

Stevie has appeared with bands on British , Italian and Japanese Television , various recordings for BBC Radio over the years , and on his own on radio broadcasts in Scotland featuring his debut CD 'Footprints"

Footprints was recorded at the sound Cafe Recording Studio , in the Pentland hills near Edinburgh by Dave Gray ... ..What they said.....

' Scottish Recording Studio The Sound Cafe, have been producing an eclectic range of titles, but none so far have been as accomplished, or affecting, as 'Footprints', the debut album from Kings Of Cheeze Bagpipe-player, Stevie Connor. '.......Review by Whisperin' and Hollerin

" Intriguing thoughts and Intriguing music " ......Alasdair Maclean , The Scots Magazine .. " Obviously a very talented Musician and Singer / Songwriter " ......Karen Ingram,Radio Borders .. " Think of a Scottish Ry Cooder, and you're on the right track........ Sometimes, you just have to take a chance with unknown artists. This is your chance "......Review by Whisperin' and Hollerin' ..

Discography

The Centennial Album Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band ,on Lismore Recordings

Out Of The Blue The Scottish Gas Pipe Band , on Lismore Recordings

The Chase Wolfstone , on Green Linnet Recordings

A Gem So Small Dougie Pincock , on Temple Records

KOC EP The Kings Of Cheeze ,on Beenies Hoose

Muff The Kings Of Cheeze , on Beenies Hoose

Red Beaver Fever The Kings Of Cheeze . on Beenies Hoose

The Best Of KOC The Kings Of Cheeze , on Beenies Hoose

It's All About Water Various Compilation , on Indie

From 2004 until 2008 Stevie was a member of ' The Kings Of Cheeze' an eclectic Folk / Ska / Jazz Rock band with a Celtic twist , recording three EP's and an acclaimed album ,receiving national airplay .

Stevie was a member of The world renowned Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band representing Scotland at some prestigious events and competitions all over the world , with the Band he won numerous places at competitions over the years which included the Worlds Championships , The Cowal Gathering , The British , Scottish and European Championships and Won The Intercontinental Championships in Antigonish , Nova Scotia , Canada

Some Highlights of Stevie's Career to date are appearing and playing at...........

The Halifax Military Tattoo in Nova Scotia , Canada , The Berlin Military Tattoo in Germany , the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland , The World Premiere of the Movie "Rob Roy', at The Java St Andrew Society ball in Jakarta , he has appeared also for many members of the British Royal family and other Heads of State , at the televised World Curling Championships , and playing 'Amazing Grace' for a packed Stadium at a Rod Stewart Concert in Glasgow

Festivals he has appeared at Include.......

The Kilsyth International Music Festival , The Bladnoch Blues and Folk Festival , Traquair Folk music festival........

Pipe Bands Stevie has played with include ....

Craigmount High School Pipe Band , Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band , The City of Glasgow Pipe Band, The Scottish Gas Pipe Band ,West Linton and District Pipe band - which he was Pipe Major of for four years - and Carnegie Mellon University Pipe Band from Pittsburgh , USA .

Background Photo By IrishViews.com
Layout By IrishMyspace.com
..

Members:

Stevie Connor- - vocals, guitars, highland pipes, whistles, percussion Dave Gray- - guitars, backing vocals, percussion,sax Trish Murray- - backing vocals Roy Middleton- - bass John Rae- - drums, percussion Rosemary McKerchar- - clarsach Murray Campbell- - fiddle Angus Taylor- didgeredoo

..

Throughout his career Stevie has played with many leading musicians , who have included......

Dave Gray . Mike Williams . Dougie Pincock . John Rae . Murray Campbell . Dave Arcari . Iain MacInnes. Rosemary McKerchar . Mike Katz . Alasdair Gillies . Jim Johnstone and his band Marie Fielding . Trish Murray . Roy Middleton and Stuart Sinclair .

REVIEW of 'FOOTPRINTS' from Whisperin' and Hollerin' (http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=4196)


- Label: Unsigned - Genre: 'Folk' - Release Date: '30.09.06'

Our Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

For the last couple of years, Scottish Recording Studio, The Sound Cafe have been producing an eclectic range of titles, but none so far have been as accomplished, or affecting, as 'Footprints', the debut album from Kings Of Cheeze pipe-player, Stevie Connor.

Connor's highland pipes have been a highlight of many a Kings Of Cheeze gig, and on 'Footprints' he, for the most part, manages to successfully replicate that energy. His arrangements of traditional highland pipe music sit effortlessly alongside self-penned work such as the rock-influenced 'Images'.

Vocally, Connor is eerily reminiscent of fellow Scot Mike Scott, and it comes as no surprise to find a lovely version of the Waterboy's 'When You Go Away' buried away near the end of the album.

The traditional Irish lament 'A Trip Over The Mountains' is a definite highpoint, but it's the haunting, atmospheric 'The Gael' which really hints at possible future brilliance from Connor. Think of a Scottish Ry Cooder, and you're on the right track.

Connor is helped out on 'Footprints' by fellow Cheeze members, guitarist Dave Gray, vocalist Trish Murray and bassist Roy Middleton. Murray, in particular, deserves special mention for the evocative backing she gives to some of the tracks.

Sometimes, you just have to take a chance with unknown artists. This is your chance.

author: Leckers