Album Notes

Connor O'Brien - The Story
(c) 1999-2000 Connorobrien.com

Connor Bogart O'Brien was born in the small town of Ashtabula, Ohio
in 1979. After noticing that he loved to perform, using the
fireplace ledge as his tiny stage, his parents enrolled him into
playing the violin, thinking that he might take to music. Connor,
who grew up on a small farm, never realized that he could sing until
he entered his high school years. "It really kind of came as a
surprise to me that not everyone else in the world could do what I
did. I just assumed everyone could sing."

While performing with different bands, groups, and shows in high
school, it became obvious to Connor that his first love was singing,
and that he wanted to make a career out of it. "I guess it wasn't
a 'career' choice so to speak. All I knew was that I absolutely
loved to sing, and wanted to do it for the rest of my life. I knew
that it was what I was going to do, no question about it... and it
helped that people seemed to think that I could."

Following his classical training, Connor decided to enroll into the
prestigious Eastman School of Music in New York, majoring in
Vocal/Opera performance. "It was a difficult decision for me to go
to Eastman, only because I had auditioned at so many schools, and
was planning on majoring in Musical Theatre at one of the lesser
known institutions. But after some friends, colleagues, and most
importantly my parents spoke to me about the level Eastman was on,
and what I would get out of it, I decided to go. It turned out to
be one of the best decisions of my life."

It was in college that Connor met, trained, and performed with some
of the best young musicians in the nation. "The level of talent and
dedication that these kids were on amazed me. I created friendships
and connections that would last a lifetime. And it definitely
didn't hurt being trained in opera of all things." It was also
there that Connor auditioned for, and was accepted into, the
nationally recognized all-male a cappella group, The University of
Rochester Yellowjackets. For two years with the group he vigorously
rehearsed, recorded two studio albums, and traveled all over the
country, including a tour of California. "I could write a book on
my time with the Jackets. It was both the most intense and most
incredible thing I had ever participated in at that point in my life.
It's truly one of the best a cappella groups in the nation."

During his college years, it quickly became apparent to Connor that
he had something special after he was offered the understudy to the
leading role in The National German Touring Production of Miss Saigon,
and only a few years later made it to the final round of New York City
auditions in ABC's "Making The Band". "Making The Band was an
experience no one could even try to forget. It really gave you an idea
of what you were up against, and I felt pretty well being there at the
end of the second audition day, after 250 others had been sent home."

Now, having completed his training, Connor has begun his journey
into the music industry as one of the hottest young performers on the
market, showcasing his complete devotion to bringing his own
uniqueness and originality to today's music. "I see a huge void
waiting to be filled in the pop music field. New acts are continuing
to follow and imitate the original trendsetters, not willing to take
a chance and carve their own niche; and that is exactly what I'm going
to do. Create different songs, push my voice to the limit, and
collaborate with artists no one would expect you to. That is how you
make it to the top. But more importantly... that is how you stay at
the top."