Tag: Talent

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

Connor Blackley from Florida is the new young Country Singer to keep your eyes and ears pealed for! His outstanding award winning performances more than prove his ability to shine as America’s youngest new star!

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!

Allan Clelland-Goddard “No Matter What”

Allan Clelland-Goddard, while a little on the shy side in person, is an outstanding performer that draws you in like he had been doing this for years!

allan ferrari

No matter what comes or goes Allan Clelland Goddard is here to stay!  Allan has been more than impressive lately with each video that he releases!  Since knowing Allan and writing about him here, I have observed a remarkable growth not only in his vocals but in his camera/stage presence.  Allan, while a little on the shy side in person, is an outstanding performer that draws you in like he had been doing this for a decade!

Allan has been dedicating most of his time to his schoolwork since the Carnival season ended in Trinidad. He was very involved with Carnival and competed in several competitions and made many guest appearances. He was also included in the prestigious “Kings go Forth’ concert which is held 2 weeks after Carnival and showcases the winners of all the big calypso competitions. Following that, Allan entered the ‘29thBiennial Music Festival 2010’ which as its name suggests, is held every 2 years and is hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Music Association. Allan came out victorious in his class: Boys 11-12 Solo and received much praise from adjudicator Dr. Paul Johnson – the director of The School of Music at Wichita State University in the US. allan ferrari 1

Allan spent his Easter vacation (spring break) in Orlando with his family. He visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and had a thoroughly enjoyable time, but the highlight of his vacation was visiting a Ferrari dealership and being allowed to touch, take pictures with and even sit in his dream car (what 12 year old boy does not dream of one day owning an expensive sports car?)

Last Thursday Allan accepted an invitation to make a guest appearance to sing his song, ‘Pan in Meh DNA’ at a primary (elementary) schools steelpan competition. The children & teachers alike were enthralled to see and hear Allan and really enjoyed his performance.

Deborah, Allan’s Mom explained;

.”Allan’s latest YouTube video has been in the pipeline for some months now but had to take a back seat to accommodate his calypso, vacation etc.  This new video is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the very talented Chris Nelson (christoff555) who worked tirelessly both on the audio track and then the video mixing and editing this masterpiece…..Thanks Chris!”

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They are hoping that the next video will be out in the not too distant future, and while they would not say what it’s going to be, it’s bound to be very special and I’m sure we will all enjoy it!