Hi, my name is Liza. I’m Conner’s assistant and long time friend. I met Conner at one of his shows many years ago. At first, I too was lured by his spectacular voice. But it was his clean, quick wit and his light-hearted personality that really engaged me. I’ve gotten to know Conner pretty well over the years. I’d like to share with you some lesser-known facts about Conner Lorre. Be sure to read the last two.
• Conner was born in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was 4 years old the first time his mother heard him singing in the next room. She thought it was the TV.
• While in grammar school, Conner wanted to sing Christmas songs with the choral group, but was rejected by the director, who told young Conner he would never be a singer.
• Conner LOVES animals, especially dogs, and they seem to love him too. One of my dogs is apprehensive of everybody, but she took to Conner the very first time they met.
• Conner loves baseball. As a little league player, he wanted to be a pitcher. It took him 3 seasons to achieve that goal. In his very first game as a pitcher, the first game of the season, he threw a no-hitter. Sadly, after that game, due to his father’s abrupt abandonment, he never threw another pitch.
• The sudden departure of his father had a devastating effect on Conner. He turned to music to console his sorrow over the loss of everything he knew and loved, except his mother. “Music has always been my medicine,” says Conner.
• During his high school years, Conner lived with his grandmother. During that time, he wasn’t allowed to have a radio or a guitar in the house.
• Conner had the lead role in his high school play. In the same play, he had a double role as a singer. It would be Conner’s first public performance as a singer and it was a smashing success!
• The first instrument Conner learned how to play was the trumpet. He later taught himself how to play the guitar and drums.
• Two weeks after graduating high school, Conner moved to North Hollywood, California to pursue a career as a singer. Unfortunately, he was in a terrible car crash on the way home from his first studio session with his new band. The crash marked the end of the band and his time in California.
• He auditioned for his first touring band in Atlanta while still recovering from mononucleosis… and was hired after singing only two songs.
• You may have heard Conner on the radio. He has done jingles and voice-overs for the U.S. Army, Ford, Gillette, Sea World, Home Depot, Cadillac, Sears, Toyota, TBS, and others.
• Conner considers himself to be a Neil Diamond tribute artist, rather than a Neil Diamond impersonator. I’ll let him explain the difference.
• In 2007, while performing in Panama City Beach, Florida, Conner was abruptly fired in the middle of his gig. He was accused of lip-syncing. Although flattered by the accusation, he needed to save his job. So Conner offered the general manager $1000 if he could catch him lip-syncing. The GM agreed… and was stunned speechless when he realized Conner was indeed singing.
• Tremendously inspired by that experience, Conner created what would become his critically acclaimed “Variety of Legends” tribute show. It was an instant success. Since then, his sensational performances have garnered him standing ovations in 39 states, plus Nova Scotia, Ontario, and the Bahamas.