Connor was sitting outside a coffee shop in Oregon and I was in my kitchen on a windy day in Livingston, if you can imagine such a thing.

JG: We’ve decided to do our monthly spotlight on you this month, Connor. You’ve made it, you’ve hit the big time!

CG: Yay! That’s very cool.

JG: Where are you right now? Tell me what you’ve been doing.

CG: Right now I’m sitting in Portland, Oregon. I’ve got a show here tomorrow night. I’m playing a few shows, but am extending this West Coast tour — I used to live in Oregon, so I’m taking the chance to visit with some people, hang out and enjoy some sunshine. I’m living in Maine now, and will be back there next week after a show in Seattle.

JG: So, it’s not ONLY that you’re drawn to places that have Portland’s in them? Not just Oregon and Maine -you are diversified.

CG: I AM diversified! You know, Bozeman has the same amount of letters as Portland, maybe that was part of the draw for me.

JG: I knew there must be some kind of mythic thing that draws you back.

CG: There MUST be. Actually, I just said that before I counted them in my head. I think it’s right though.

JG: I hope you’re right. You know, the Bozeman readers will have their pencils out, trying to cypher this one out — Jethro style.

CG: (laughter)

JG: Give me a little background — how’d you get into music and start writing those cool songs?

CG: I started writing songs on guitar — back in the 7th grade. I started playing drums first, but my best friend was a better drummer than me. I figured if I played guitar, we could start a band — and we did. I started writing songs at a pretty early age. My dad was a songwriter, so I got some tips from him, which was fantastic. I played with a band for a long time and always did an acoustic thing on my own. Even as I would be playing with an alternative rock band or a funk band in college I’d be working on my acoustic, low key, folk driven stuff. Four   years ago I started to dive into that full time. Started hitting the road — always enjoyed touring. For better or worse, I love playing for small crowds all over the country. I don’t have a big crowd anywhere!

JG: Do you remember the first song you ever played in front of people?
CG: I do. The first song I ever sang in a band in a live setting was actually an original song called “Mr. Down and Out.” We performed two songs — that and we followed that up with a Collective Soul song called “The World I Know.“

JG: Have you been able to work “Mr. Down and Out” into your sets since, is it something you’ll play tonight?
CG: God, no. (laughter)

JG: I remember you coming out to the hot springs and everyone would go all agog about you. Whenever we   have you booked out there, I must say, the telephone calls from humans of the female persuasion jumped way up. You seem to have an estrogen draw, my friend.

CG: An estrogen draw! (laughter) Oh, man. Maybe it’s cause I have a high voice?

JG: It’s funny. They don’t pronounce your name with two syllables — like Connor. It’s more like Coooooonnnnnnnorrrrrr, like a moaning sound. I guess – well done! You got in a band for all the reasons every guy I know got in a band. It’s working!

CG: How do you portray blushing in a magazine article?

JG: I think it will work out. (laughter) I really like your songs, Connor.

CG: Thanks, Joanne.

JG: It’s a pleasure to listen to you. I feel like they’re so well structured and personal. It feels like each show I’ve seen you do seems really spontaneous — like you come up with it to match the mood of the crowd. It doesn’t feel like you lay it out ahead of time. Am I crazy?
CG: I definitely strive to have a spontaneous show. Sometimes it works out really well but every once in a while it bites me in the butt.   I hope the songs are crafted, but the flow of the show often takes on a bit of influence from the day, from the event. The crowd has such input — I’m glad so many of my shows are made up of really good people — makes for a good night.

JG: Makes people want to come see you over and over, cause you do get something different each time.

CG: That’s good to hear.

JG: I hear you’re doing a special project while you’re in Bozeman. Wanna talk about it or is it secret?

CG: No, it’s not secret. I’ve been talking it up. I’m working with Shannon Wurst on her new album in a producer role. We’re working with Chris Cunningham on it — his voice will be a part of this. It’s a team effort — we’re talking about songs. Our styles are really different which will make for an interesting project. I love her style — she’s into a little more of a country thing — but I can feel like I can bring some different flavors into it.

JG: Is she going to be joining you at your Norris Hot Springs gig in April?

CG: I believe she will, yep.

JG: Terribly exciting. I know you cross the country, stopping in states whether they have a Portland or not. Are there a lot of gigs where you play at a hot springs in a bubble with half naked people in front of you eating organic food?

CG: Absolutely not. It’s the only one I’ve played at like that.   I’ve heard rumors of other hot springs playing music, but I can’t imagine they’re anywhere as cool as Norris.

JG: Well played, sir!

CG: It is true — it is a unique place to play — and it takes learning how to play it, I feel. And showing up two hours early so you can soak and get into the mood of the place.

JG: You’ve been playing some shows with Tom Murphy, I hear.

CG: Definitely been playing some shows with Tom. We had a great time playing some Minnesota shows over the last couple of summers. Always good to play with him in different settings. I’m hoping he’ll be involved in this Shannon project as well. He’s a special guy and an inspirational player. There are a lot of great musicians in Bozeman that I’m hoping to use on this project. — it’s one of   the reasons we’re recording there. Shannon lives in Arkansas, I’m in Maine but we wanted to come to Bozeman.

JG: Do you have a summer full of touring plans?

CG: I have an exciting summer — not touring as aggressively as the past few. I’ve got a wedding to go to, and have been working with this group from Israel and Palestine so I might not make it out West this summer. A lot of great shows and house concerts are coming up mostly in the East. I’m starting to feel some momentum building up out there..it’s a little inspiring. I feel lucky to be on this path I’m on.

JG: Whenever I’m around you, I feel like you feel you’re lucky but also know that you’re driving that train, Connor. Well done on being the luckiest man I know. Hey, to wrap this up —if anyone wants to request “Mr. Down and Out” when you’re playing at Norris, would you consider doing it?

CG: Oh….(laughter). I’m sure I can at least give a verse and chorus..

JG: Just want you to be ready. See you out there, Connor.

Connor will appear at Norris with several special guests on Sunday, April   8th — Easter Sunday. Music begins at 7 pm. For more information on Norris, please go to www.norrishotsprings.com. For more information on Connor, please go to www.connorgarveysongs.com