Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor Huggins.
Hi Connor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Before the start of my 7th-grade year, I had very little confidence in myself. My mother noticed I would tap and beat on everything, so she forced me to join the middle school band to learn percussion. I fought with her every step of the way thinking I was going to hate it so much. However, after a few weeks in the program, I loved it. Within a year, my parents helped me purchase my first drum set. I started taking lessons from Chris Pat at the Memphis Drum Shop in July of 2017.
During my first lesson, I met drummers Andrew McNeil and Alex Pruitt. Little did I know the influence that Alex, Andrew, and Chris Pat would come to have on me not only as a musician but also as a person. By December, I played at my first drum recital in front of some very famous drummers. From that moment I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Being a musician and seeing an audience interact with what I do was and is the greatest feeling in the world.
I moved on to high school and performed in every ensemble they offered. Later on, I started playing in the youth worship band. In October of 2021, I became a part of the Sunday morning worship team. In December of 2021, I played my first show. I played an acoustic set with Chelsea Rhodes at the Hi-Tone Bar in Memphis, TN.
In August 2022, I began my college career at the University of Memphis Lambuth studying Music and Entertainment. In September, I got to open up for country music stars Darryl Worley and Deana Carter at the first annual Catfish Derby in Savannah, TN. It was the largest show I have played to date. My journey has been incredible, and, hopefully, it is just the beginning. I turn 19 in late April, and I can’t wait to see how my story continues.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has absolutely not been a smooth one. I was born with a congenital heart defect. I have an aortic bicuspid valve. Basically, instead of having three valves in my heart, I have two. This limits the amount of weight I can safely carry and overall activities take a bigger toll on me.
This is something I have learned to manage; however, it does make it harder to do more physical activities. I definitely don’t let this condition define who I am. I always try to find a way to make any situation work with my condition. Of course, you can’t talk about obstacles and struggles without mentioning COVID-19. It really put a hold on my career.
Being cooped up, not being able to interact with other people, and generally always being in fear of catching the virus was one of the worst times of my life. It’s super great that the music industry is getting back onto its feet. It’s always nice to walk down the street at night hearing live music once again.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My main profession is being a drummer. I am mostly known as a live-performance drummer. I am always improving my skills in the studio as a session musician, and starting to work on my skills as a recording engineer. However, my biggest skill is as a live performer.
What sets me apart is the energy I bring to a show. When performing, I always perform to the song, whether that’s just playing a groovy backbeat and bouncing to a mid-tempo song, or putting a lot of emotion into a simple beat for a slow ballad. Another skill I have to offer is my set design.
Some of the up-and-coming artists that I am performing with are working with me on their set lists, arranging their songs differently, and improving their way of performing which will make them stand out in comparison to other artists in the area. It is really amazing that I get to work with these artists beyond just as a drummer or percussionist.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising about me is that I participated in two Mardi Gras parades. During my senior year of high school, our marching band traveled to Houma, Louisiana to participate in their annual Mardi Gras festivities. We marched a total of 14 miles spanning two days. I was part of a band that entertained a crowd of over 200,000 spectators.
After the second parade on Fat Tuesday, we went to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center to perform at the Terrebonne Parish’s 200th Anniversary Celebration. Only two bands were selected to participate, and our band was one of them. I was part of history being made at one of the biggest celebrations in our country.
At the end of the 2022 Mardi Gras season, we were named Grand Champions of the Houma parades. It was a super fun experience, and it’s absolutely one of the highlights of my life.
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://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhJQSggKVSpb0xl73oMPFQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@connor_huggins427
Image Credits
Melba Huggins and Bryan Huff/Huffoto
