Connor Blackley Florida’s Country Crooner

Connor has been very busy this summer and participated in a 4 week theatre camp, where he played Willy Wonka in their production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Connor did an amazing job, and had a great time in the process.

Six months ago, Connor was asked to be the lead singer of a band called United. United is a rock band, which is a little out of Connor’s genre, but he is really enjoying himself and the band is getting quite good. The boys have a unique common ingredient in that each member is 12 years-old. The band consists of, William (on guitar), Nick (on drums) and Joseph (on bass). The band has been playing around the Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, and Fleming Island area and most recently performed for a benefit in Kingsland, Georgia.   … Continue Reading

Connor Blackley “You don’t wanna miss a thing!”

Connor Blackley performing at a local Taste of the Island Festival.

Conner Blackley was first introduced here at Rivenmaster’s Place on January 13, 2010.
Since that time Connor has only continued to improve and his voice has become even richer while still maintaining a fantastic upper register which literally can
Fly Me To The Moon !

The school year has been a busy time for Connor, but he is busting out his summer wings getting ready to fly into performances and competitions which begin as early as this weekend  at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival’s “Generation Next Youth Jazz Competition”.
The competition is for singers and musicians (ages 7 to 21). Last year Connor was the 2nd youngest in the competition and came in 3rd place (he was the highest placing vocalist). Connor is hoping to snag 1st place year and use the $1000 prize towards guitar lessons.

Connor has many opportunities to show is wonderful singing abilities around sunny Florida and is often asked to sing for sport events. In this picture Connor is singing the National Anthem for the Jacksonville Suns at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. In addition to this performance, Connor will also be singing the National Anthem for 2 of USSSA Pride’s (Professional Fast pitch Softball team) games in Orlando, the first one being on June 5th and the second in July. Connor does our Country proud for each and every performance!
This is one young man who lives life to the fullest and enjoys every moment he has to make others happy as he sings.

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Listen to another new recording by Connor, a Tim McGraw song; Live Like you were dying” “Live like you were dying”
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Recently I asked Connor a few questions for which he gave me the following answers.
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Rivenmaster: What is your greatest ambition right now?
Connor: To become a professional singer!
Rivenmaster: Who would you like to sing with if you could sing with anybody?
Connor: That’s a hard question….Brad Paisley. Jon Bon Jovi.
Rivenmaster: What is your most memorable experience so far in your career as a singer?
Connor: Working with Cirque du Soleil in Vegas on the Viva Elvis show.
Rivenmaster: What person in your life is the most inspirational to you?
Connor: My Mom!
Rivenmaster: Who is your Hero?
Connor: I have lots of hero’s: my parents, teachers….but I have to include our military fighting overseas.
Rivenmaster: Do you consider Country Music your favorite choice in music? What other genres do you enjoy if any?
Connor: I really enjoy Country but I love all kinds of music: Jazz, Rock, Oldies, and Christian….all of it.
Rivenmaster: If you could meet any recording artist who would you like to meet?
Connor: There are so many I’d like to meet! Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Usher, Michael Buble.
Rivenmaster: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Connor: Hopefully I will have my own songs playing on the radio and be on tour.

Connor Blackley Jazz Fest 2009

Connor’ school (Lavilla School of the Arts) recently held their end of the year banquet and awards dinner and Connor received 2 medals: one for receiving Superior on his Italian Art song at Solofest in March, and the other for his chorus receiving Superior at the MPA’s earlier in the year.

What else can I add about Connor other than to say that this is one young man who I will have my eye on for several years to come and “I Don’t wanna miss a thing” that this boy records because I for one just can’t get enough!

“Connor Blackley Born to Perform”

When I was a youngster, the adults of my life would ask me “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I don’t remember having a specific answer for that question, as many things looked appealing at different ages.

Connor Blackley

Connor Blackley however, is quite a different story!  If his first cries upon birth could have been interpreted it would most likely have been “I Want To Sing” . Connor, who will become a teenager at the end of this month has been a busy young man lately! Performing and competing in his home state of Florida thrilling record crowds to upwards of 4,000 people.  The biggest stage I ever stood on was only about 1,500 but this kid doesn’t seem to be phased by the experience.  He just keeps belting out the songs to the pleasure of the large audience.   I asked Conner if he ever get’s nervous and he replied “ I don’t really get nervous, but if I start to get a little nervous before hand, it goes away once I’m up on stage.”

Connor most recently was asked by Gator Country WGNE to open their Jacksonville Landing 99.9′s Spring Concert Series by singing the National Anthem.  This years concert series opened with a David Nail concert. Connor performed at Jacksonville Landing last year as well and has become a real favorite of the crowd of country fans.

On a much larger note Conner will be performing at the Suwannee River Music Jam on April 24th, as part of the opening entertainment for the Zac Brown Band, John Michael Montgomery and Colt Ford.  Other performers to perform at the jam will also include Travis Tritt, Kansas, LoCash Cowboys, Jason Michael Carroll, Justin Mooore, Mountain Heart, David Cooler and Josh Thompson!  Connor will be gracing the stage with some of the finest country performers that this country has to offer which is quite an honor for a 13 year old boy!  Way to go Connor!

I also need to report that Connor auditioned for and was accepted into the Chamber Chorus (LaVilla School of the Arts advanced chorus) and will be traveling to Greece with them next year.

This Summer Connor will also be singing at the Jacksonville Summer jazz festival in August in front of over 4000 people.

What can I say? Some kids were just born to perform and Connor Blackley is one of those kids!  Or should I say Teens!

^{Congratulations on the fine performances Connor and we hope that your 13th birthday on the 28th is the best ever!}

Connor Blackley Update!

Connor Blackley Future Country Star!

Special Note*  This just in:

“It was just reported to me that the following songs posted this week were actually recorded in July of 2007.  The videos were from last summer. Good news is that Connor is in the recording studio this week making new versions of several of his songs.  Stay tuned here for the updates to these and more videos by Connor.

You will soon be hearing Conner’s latest releases being played on http://theskykid.com/radio!  Connor’s voice is even more impressive today, showing great maturity and a rich fullness.  Don’t miss the updates!”

…………………………………………….Keep them coming!” Rivenmaster