Stevie Connor profile picture

Stevie Connor

About Me

Edinburgh-born Stevie started to play the Highland Bagpipes at the age of ten, receiving tuition from his father Danny and later from Charlie Macleod Williamson of the Seaforth Highlanders.

As a teenager, he joined the Craigmount High School Pipe Band, and competed in numerous band and solo competitions , featuring in the prize lists regularly.

Stevie joined The world renowned Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band (Formerly The Edinburgh City Police ) representing Scotland at some prestigious events and competitions all over the world, Highlights of which were Playing at The Halifax Military Tattoo followed by a two week tour of Nova Scotia.playing at The Java St Andrew Society ball in Jakarta , for which Stevie composed and presented a tune to the society,playing for many members of the Royal family and appearing at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which for an Edinburgh born performer was a very proud moment, He has also played with the City of Glasgow Pipe Band, The Scottish Gas Pipe Band, as well as Highlander, an Edinburgh based folk rock band. Stevie has also won the Lothian and Borders solo piping competition two years in succession in the late eighties.

Always interested in other styles of music Stevie not only sings but also plays the guitar/small pipes/whistles/bodhran. He writes his own material; his compositions have been featured on the BBC, on Wolfstone's Album, 'The Chase' and have been recorded and published by other artists such as Dougie Pincock (Ex Battlefield Band and Director of Music at the Traditional School of Excellence in Plockton).

Stevie was a member of The Kings Of Cheeze an eclectic Folk / Ska / Jazz Rock band with a Celtic twist who have been featured on the Tom Morton show on Radio Scotland.(www.myspace.com/kingsofcheeze)

Footprints was recorded at the sound Cafe studio(www.soundcafe.com) in the Pentland hills near Edinburgh by Dave Gray on the beenies hoose label. check out the website at www.beenieshoose.com purchase a copy from footstompin' Celtic music...Visit the website...www.footstompin.com/footstompinrecords.

Other recordings Stevie has contributed to or appeared on areThe Centennial Album , Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band - Out Of The Blue , The Scottish Gas Pipe Band - The Chase , Wolfstone - A Gem So Small , Dougie Pincock - The Kings Of Cheeze EP - Muff EP by The Kings Of Cheeze - Red Beaver Fever EP by The Kings Of Cheeze - The Kings of Cheeze - self titled albumAs well as various recordings for the BBC over the years.Stevie has written some more material in the last few months....watch for the updatesBackground Photo By IrishViews.com
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/2/2006
Band Website: http://www.beenieshoose.com
Band 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

....
REVIEW of 'FOOTPRINTS' from Whisperin' and Hollerin' (http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=4 196)

- Label: 'BEENIE'S HOOSE' - Genre: 'Folk' - Release Date: '30.09.06'

Our Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

For the last couple of years, Scottish label Beenie's Hoose 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.

www.beenieshoose.com
author: Leckers

.. Stevie is appearing On Radio Borders giving a live interview at 8pm on August 12th on The Getherin,with Karin Ingram,playing some tracks from the album and a few more from bands that have influenced him............Review of Footprints in Mays edition of The Scots Magazine,calling it.......' Toe tapping piping to emotive slow airs,and some politically relevant vocals as well , Intriguing thoughts and Intriguing music'......read the full review in The Scots Magazine,review by Alasdair Maclean.............Stevie is also a member of The Kings Of Cheeze who have just released their third CD 'Red Beaver Fever'..........The Aliens feature Kings Of Cheeze on their musicblog! Check it out at http://thealiens.musicblog.co.uk..........Kings Of Cheeze Selected as one of the TOP 4 to listen to by Music News Scotland for the month of September..........Kings of Cheeze featured on The Tom Morton show on Radio Scotland.........Kings Of Cheeze Debut single 'Throw it Away' was featured on the soupy Gato Podcast ..37 on 19 September 2006
Influences: Too numerous to mention all,some include,Wolfstone,Dougie Pincock,The Battlefield band,The Tannahill Weavers,Mike Scott (Waterboys),Capercaille,Dougie Maclean,Runrig,Alabama 3,The Betty Swollocks Quintet(I didn't make that up,they are the ceilidh band of the Scottish Gas Pipe Band),The Kings Of Cheeze,My Father and the list could go on.
Sounds Like: Me !!
Record Label: Beenie's Hoose Music

My Blog

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my Friends....2009 has started with a bang..I played my first gig of the year on New Years Eve / New Years day ...early hours at Auchen Castle in Dumfries and Galloway,It was a f...
Posted by on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:13:00 GMT

Kings Of Cheeze-New Album

The Album has finally arrived...12 excellent tracks form The Best Of The KOC over the past three years,yeah time goes quick when you are enjoying yourself !It's a must have for the die hard Cheeze fan...
Posted by on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:51:00 GMT

New Year

Well...New Year is over,and just wanted to take the opportunity to say thanks to everyone who came out and supported the KOC at the Ramsay, not our gig,just a session,which went well,15 musicians play...
Posted by on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:43:00 GMT

Easgate Theatre with Dave Arcari

What a fantastic gig , Thanks to the KOC and Dave Arcari , such a nice guy offstage is Dave and his partner was a lovely lady , she certainly keeps him busy with gigs,he was off to the midlands straig...
Posted by on Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:28:00 GMT

Manic Year of Whistle playing and Piping

Phew !!! what a year so far,one year since the Album was released,non stop Piping with the Pipe Band and amazing gigs with The Kings Of Cheeze . being on the Radio !! amazing reviews of the album !!Th...
Posted by on Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:33:00 GMT

Live on Radio Borders

I have been invited onto Karin Ingrams show,the getherin on August 12th,at 8pm for an hours interview and playing some tracks from the album,plus a few from people that have influenced me.Looking forw...
Posted by on Tue, 22 May 2007 11:11:00 GMT

In the Studio

Currently working on The Kings Of Cheeze Album , which should be out in the summer , and looking forward to some great gigs , Traquair should be a great one and also excited about appearing at the Eas...
Posted by on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:45:00 GMT

Cheezers New CD 'Red Beaver Fever'

The Kings of Cheeze have just released their Third CD  'Red Beaver Fever',three original tracks available at our gigs or purchase a copy at www.scotloads.co.uk.We are back in the studio...
Posted by on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 04:51:00 GMT

Supporting Ragni

With the Kings of Cheeze,we are supporting Canadian Touring band Ragni on the 12th November at the Cafe Royale in Edinburgh,visit the Kings of Cheeze website for more details
Posted by on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 07:47:00 GMT

The Album Launch Party

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the Cheezers for supporting me at the launch.....it was a fantastic night,extremely busy and I didn't get time to speak to everyone,thanks to ...
Posted by on Sun, 08 Oct 2006 05:05:00 GMT