Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Connor Huggins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Connor, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I have always loved music, but performing it and coming to the realization that it was what I wanted to pursue professionally was something that took many years, people, and experiences for me to realize. In middle school and high school, I was a part of the band programs and a member of most of the ensembles. While I love the program and still support it to this day, I was never one for art or classical music. During this time, I started going to concerts with my family seeing different bands and artists. Before the pandemic, we saw artists like Foreigner and Def Leppard, to Bruno Mars, all the way to Twenty One Pilots. Starting in the summer of 2017, I began taking private lessons. Those lessons and the people I met through them exposed me to many different styles of music and a whole new world of artists. With the combination of all of these factors, I found my love for commercial music, specifically live shows and concerts. Around 2019 was when I realized that it was something I wanted to do with my life. In the following years, I worried that it wouldn’t work out for me and that I should find a more stable career path. In December of 2021, that all changed after my first real performance. My first gig was playing cajon with country music artist Chelsea Rhodes at the Hi-Tone Bar in Memphis, TN. The set lasted forty minutes, and we played for approximately twenty people, However, it was an amazing experience. It engraved into me that this was the career I wanted to pursue, and I was going to stop at nothing to pursue it.
Connor, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My story as a creative begins in the summer of 2016 before the start of my 7th grade year. At this point in life, I had very little confidence in myself, but my mother noticed that I would beat and tap on everything. As a result, she forced me into the middle school band program. I absolutely hated it at first, but very quickly fell in love with percussion and playing music. Within the next year, I began taking lessons with the amazing Chris Pat at the Memphis Drum Shop. At my first lesson, I was blessed to meet Memphis drummers Alex Pruitt and Andrew McNeil. The influence that these three amazing drummers have had on me has been immeasurable. Whether it was being mentored, helping with applications for opportunities I have been presented with, or going with me to concerts and helping me build connections with industry professionals, these mentors have been gracious and have put me on the right path.
In December of 2017, I played my first drum recital at the Memphis Drum Shop. It was there in that moment I decided to take being a drummer seriously. It was super interesting and fun to perform and see how an audience would react to what I do. While the decision to pursue my career professionally came later on, this decision to be a musician for life was made that day.
I made my way into high school and performed in almost all of the ensembles they offered. Outside of school, I occasionally performed in church. In October of 2021, I was officially made a part of the worship team at my church. You can find me just about every Sunday either playing drums with the band, or in the production booth working at the soundboard, mixing the service. In December of 2021, I played my first real show with Chelsea Rhodes. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to perform with her numerous times over the years, opening up for some amazing acts such as Darryl Worley, Deana Carter, and Alex Miller.
In the fall of 2022, I started my academic journey at the University of Memphis Lambuth. I am pursuing a degree in music and entertainment, with a minor in public relations. Through this program, I have been gifted amazing opportunities that have expanded my knowledge as a creative. As of the fall 2023 semester, I am one of the Lambuth ensemble’s music directors, and I am tasked with programming all click tracks, backing tracks, and samples we require to perform our concerts.
So far 2023 has been full of amazing experiences. I joined the live band of local artist Bryson Howard as the drummer and musical director. Currently, I am working with him and the rest of the band on the creation of a new EP. It will be my first dive in to being a producer and a recording engineer. I have been blessed with all of these opportunities, and I am super excited to see what life has in store for me next.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the joy of performing for an audience. There is nothing more amazing to me than walking out on a stage, sitting behind a drum set or any other instrument I might be playing, and giving my all to a group of people who have come to watch live music. To be a part of the reason even one person has their day made is just the greatest feeling in the world. The process to performing live is also very rewarding. From the start of putting together a setlist, to endless hours of rehearsals, to being at the venue and setting up, all the way until the first note is played, I enjoy every breath of it. The process is tedious, and I am always trying to find a way to refine and improve it. At the end of it all though, it is still rewarding to see how a complete show is designed and built, and how all of the parts fit to together to make an amazing production.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have numerous small goals that drive and push me on a daily basis. However, the big end goal to me is to be the best person, musician, and creative I can be. I strive to be the best version of myself. A big mission of mine is to help artists find themselves within a live performance scenario. I am definitely not one to take the spotlight nor do I want to. However, I love working with those creatives that do, but are maybe not sure on how to grasp the attention of an audience. Building enticing shows, creating ways to engage the audience, and discovering what makes an artist unique is something that takes a village, and I make it a goal to be a part of that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connor_huggins427/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connor.huggins.10/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-huggins-72076b268/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@connorhuggins4726?si=o_VIT4d0BWoWkGWX
- Other: TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connor_huggins427?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Taylor Howard Holzheuser (1) David Landreth (2) Melba Huggins (3-6)