I must admit I am not a fan of country music, which for those who know me, is ironic because some of my dearest friends are very tightly wound within that world. Unless it involves what I like to call “the Elders,” including the usuals Cash, Waylon, Loretta, Willie, Hank, I just cannot stomach the twang. However, one day not that long ago, I was watching CMT with my godchild, Lola, and a young-ish band came on called Connor Christian & Southern Gothic. Interesting, I remember thinking, they are from Georgia and look familiar… and then suddenly I found myself really enjoying the music.
For those of you not so familiar, southern rock singer/songwriter Connor Christian left home at 14 and traveled the world, visiting South Korea, France, Belgium, Singapore, and other places before returning to the U.S. and settling in Atlanta, Ga. There he put together a backup band called the Morningstar Revival with whom he released his debut album, A Southern Gothic, through the Perfect Symmetry label on February 16, 2007. Since graduating, Connor’s bands have played and tour with acts as far ranging as Counting Crows, Tonic, No Doubt, Incubus, Edwin McCain, Gov’t Mule, Collective Soul, Black Eyed Peas and Uncle Kracker, just to name a few. Connor joined us for a little “15 Questions With,” and his answers definitely confirm him as an old school renegade.
What is the most outrageous gift you’ve ever received from a fan?
Nothing super weird, but we did have these girls who used to follow our old band, Princess, and they showed up to some of our shows wearing these shirts they made with puff paint and glitter.
How do you take your coffee?
I don’t drink coffee, I drink tea. Preferably black, oolong, or whatever they have at IHOP.
If you could collaborate with any musician who would it be?
Jason Isbell, I am floored by that guy. If I was more ambitious I probably would actually try and reach out to him.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Mary Louise Parker, that woman is so hot! Saved is what really turned me around on her.
If you were a girl for one day, who would you most want to take out on a date?
David Cross. Every time he comes on TV, my wife looks at me funny because we say the exact same phrases.
How old were you when you lost your virginity?
I was 14, it wasn’t a pretty story.
Can you play the ukulele?
I can play, but it probably wouldn’t make any sense… nothing that you would be able to actually decipher as music!
What was your first concert?
It was a festival with the Clash, Slayer, Megadeath, Anthrax, and Alice in Chains. I was 12, and all I wanted to see was Alice in Chains, but my brother made me stand outside and sell his extra tickets, so I missed them. And then, I got left in the box seats by myself, while my brother and his girlfriend conceived their first child in the bathroom. That ended pretty quickly, because I accidentally pulled the TV in the box so hard it fell on my head, and security had to go find my brother.
How do you feel about tequila?
Not a fan of tequila, it smells like Athlete’s toe to me, I can’t stomach the smell. I am a whiskey guy.
If you were a racehorse in the Kentucky Derby, what would your name be?
Well I always thought a good name for a band would be “Punishing Christopher” so I guess that.
If you were the star of your own reality TV show, what would the name be?
“Get that Fucking Camera Out of My Face!”
Can you dance?
I don’t have any confidence in my dancing ability, but no one has ever told me I couldn’t dance.
What’s your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Sleep! I never get enough, and I love hanging out with my daughter.
What are you working on now? Anything you are excited about?
Lots of stuff! We are announcing our fall tour soon, which will run from the first week of August till the last week in September. Our album, Hometown Part 1 is out now, and Hometown Part 2 will come out this fall as well. People can expect us to be a little more redneck and ready to get hillbilly on y’all.
Catch Connor Christian & Southern Gothic at Peachtree Tavern, Oct.5th
