Photo: Lila Nelson

Dim images sketched on onionskin drift in the air, slow dirigibles bearing memories: howling at the top of your lungs on the requisite 100-year-old piano; scales deciphered and repeated more out of obsessive compulsion than passion; numerous family members, classmates, co-workers, roommates, and lovers driven to madness by the incessant tapping; griping when the beatles were played on the stereo but listening anyway; a determined obsession with early-90s easy-listening radio love songs; supplication at the feet of many masters big and small, animate and otherwise; calling home to have mom hide your stuffed animals before having a friend from school over; your first kiss, your last kiss, and all the waiting in between; holding a microphone up to anything that vibrates (or should); the first harrowing time you hear your own recorded voice; tracing the fine line between a true calling and misguided obstinacy; losing yourself and losing the hope of finding yourself and then finding both and then losing them again; learning how music makes love to its ecosystem the same way everything else does; having your soul indelibly branded by the ecstasy of musical communion, and forever feeding the desperation for that psychic needle.

"Yeah, he was my roommate in undergrad school--just about drove me nuts teachin' himself to play all kinds of instruments. good guy tho, pretty witty, good roommate - good heart, used to rescue roaches from the kitchen drain. only ate baked spaghetti. surprised he lived thru that as malnourished as he probably was." - Stacy

Played at: Mississippi Pizza - Portland OR, The Voodoo Lounge - Astoria OR, The Hopvine Pub - Seattle WA, Tractor Tavern - Seattle, The Matrix Coffeehouse - Chehalis WA, The Upstage Restuarant - Port Townsend WA, Temple Bar - Santa Monica CA, The Islamabad Club - Islamabad, Pakistan, Pine Mountain Music Festival - Atascadero CA, Willamette Valley Folk Festival - Eugene OR, Northwest Folklife Festival - Seattle WA, Whole Earth Festival - Davis CA

Radio airplay/in-studio: KMUD - Garberville CA, KHSU - Arcata CA, KHUM - Ferndale CA, KUGS - Bellingham WA, KLCC - Eugene OR, KMUN - Astoria OR, KZYX - Ukiah CA, KPIG - Freedom CA, KDVS - Davis CA, KRCL - Salt Lake City UT, KZSC - Santa Cruz CA, KZMU - Moab UT, CHLY - Nanaimo BC, Democracy Now!

Honorable Mention, 2004 Telluride Troubadore contest

"Casey's smart songwriting and considerable guitar handiwork is not to be missed. KHUM has been playing his latest CD regularly for months. The lyrical depth and intricate melodies improve with each listen. Each time I hear it, something new jumps out of the mix. Casey's definitely somebody to keep your eye on." - Mike Dronkers, KHUM, Ferndale, CA

"Casey's warm personality, beautiful voice and lyrics were delightful and made for a great radio interview! I would love to have him back." - Heidie Johnson, KMUN, Astoria, OR

"Casey Connor is a talented young songsmith/multi-instrumentalist who has the ability to create a unique mood and rhythm for his listeners. Every time I hear him play, be it a new original song or one of the many instruments that he is well versed in, I always walk away more impressed by his genuine sound. Casey has some fine recordings out there and a strong live performance that he uses to connect with the audience and brings them into his world full of wonder." - Cornelius, host of KDVS show Cool as Folk, Davis, CA