Official Site of Stevie Connor
Founder of The Sound Cafe & Blues & Roots Radio
Piper, Musician, Composer, Editor, Music Journalist, Author, Podcaster, Website Designer
Magazine | Radio | Author
Bio
Stevie Connor is a multifaceted force in the music world, renowned as a world-class piper, a musician, composer, recording artist, journalist, and internet radio pioneer.
In his early twenties, he pivoted from a promising career in professional football in Scotland to pursue his true passion: music. With a career spanning decades, Stevie has left an indelible mark on the music landscape, contributing his talents to over 30 albums across diverse genres including Folk, Celtic Rock, Jazz/Celtic/Rock Fusion and Pipe Band music. His compositions have been recorded by other artists including Wolfstone, Dougie Pincock (The Battlefield Band) and many more.
Over the years he has travelled the world performing in intimate venues such as bars and clubs, to bigger festival stages and in stadiums to thousands of people. Stevie has also performed live on radio in the UK and has appeared on TV in Japan the UK, Italy and Canada. He has also conducted numerous interviews to talk about his journey on radio and TV in Canada and the USA.
In 2012, Stevie co-founded multi award-winning Blues and Roots Radio along with his wife Anne, and partner Neil Mitchell (who is based in Melbourne, Australia), Blues & Roots Radio was an online platform dedicated to showcasing the best in Blues, Roots, Folk, Americana, and Celtic music. Through live shows, curated playlists, and engaging interviews, Blues and Roots Radio provided a global stage for both established acts and up-and-coming artists to share their artistry with the world.
In 2020, Stevie expanded his influence in the music industry by founding The Sound Cafe magazine. This online publication quickly gained traction as a vital platform for musicians, featuring in-depth artist interviews, insightful album reviews, and breaking music news. The magazine publishes in three languages, English, French and Spanish, and draws an average of between 70 to 80 thousand monthly readers.
Stevie Connor's remarkable journey from the football pitch in Scotland to the heart of the music industry in Canada, garnering awards and accolades from around the world along the way, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his craft and his enduring love for music in all its forms. Stevie continues to leave an indelible legacy, shaping the future of music one note at a time.
His unwavering dedication to supporting grassroots talent has propelled The Sound Cafe to the forefront of music journalism, fostering a vibrant community of music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Awards
Nominations
Legislature of Ontario Mississauga South 'Rising Star Award' - 2013 (Canada)
Canadian Special Events Expo - 'Celtic Crossing' Best Cultural Event 2013 @ Meadowvale Theatre (Canada)
Awards
Legislature of Ontario Mississauga South 'Rising Star Award' - 2014 (Canada)
LCM 'Radio Station Of The Year Award' - 2015 (UK)
LCM 'Radio Station Of The Year Award' - 2016 (UK)
Legislature of Ontario Mississauga South 'Home Based Business Excellence Award' - 2017 (Canada)
ISSA (International Singer Songwriter Association) 'Best International Radio Station' - 2021 (USA)
Blues & Roots Radio 'Unsung Hero Award' - 2023 (International)
Book Project
Stevie is writing a book about his journey in music. An interesting fact is that he was almost born in a remote community in Manitoba, Canada, but, as fate would have it, he was instead born in the Lowlands of Scotland, eventually emigrating to Canada, which sparked the idea for a book called 'The Long Road To Flin Flon'
Music Journalist / Editor
Stevie is a verfied journalist on the international PR platform, Muck Rack, he writes exclusively these days for his own platform, The Sound Cafe, of which he is editor, and has around thirty contributing writers on a monthly basis.
He has written in the past for Blues and Roots Radio (Canada), Great Dark Wonder (USA), Fatea Magazine (UK) and Music World Media (Australia).
He has contributed his many years of experience as a respected juror for the JUNO Awards, The Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the Maple Blues Awards in Canada. He hosts a podcast called Global Voices on The Sound Cafe platform featuring interviews with artists from around the world, all of this places him well to write about the many submissions he receives on a weekly basis from Canada and beyond.
What They Say
" A true partnership that goes beyond spinning a tune, helping to build an artist brand through online social media presence, marketing opportunities that are not only extremely affordable but go above and beyond what is expected, not to mention an immediate response to a text, email, or message at anytime day or night with any questions and a team of DJ, radio hosts that not only share their music to listeners all over the world but promote artists events and at many times are at their shows to show support, write a review, go live or take awesome pics, Blues and Roots Radio screams credibility ! Musicians are blessed to have you sharing their music all over the world "
Sandra MacKenzie,
Artist Manager
“ Blues & Roots Radio's tag line is " The Voice of the Artist, " and the station is true to its promise. In a world where the medium has more often than not sought to eclipse the message, The Team make it their business to ensure that both the message of music and its messengers arrive safe and sound in homes around the world. This is a radio station run by folks with enthusiasm, generosity, determination, good humour, and - above all - integrity. In short, they're in it for the long haul, and for the right reasons "
Andrea England,
Lemonade Factory Music
“ I truly enjoy discovering new music. I gravitate to music with authenticity and passion.
That’s why I love Blues and Roots Radio. Authentic passionate people connecting listeners with the perfect variety of music from around the world. "
Mark Murphy,
Artist Manager, Musician, Singer-Songwriter
“ Blues and Roots Radio reminds me of my youth – when the pirate stations broadcast whatever the hell they liked and challenged the status quo with non-mainstream music. Contemporary music would not be what it is today without those who look beyond the big money for their musical kick. For better or worse, I have always lived on the edges of the mainstream and I am grateful to the likes of Stevie Connor and Blues and Roots Radio for finding another way to celebrate the beautiful underdogs “
Stephen Fearing,
Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Producer
"One of the best radio networks ever ! Thanks for the range of fabulous presenters, epic shows, playlists, great content and showing us what global radio is truly capable of. Incredible production, thanks for keeping Blues and Roots Radio on air for so long ! Wishing you all the best with another incredible and growing website, The Sound Cafe ...."
Angie Lemon
Public Relations
“ Blues & Roots Radio is more than just a radio station, its a family. They love music, and the people that play it, doing everything in their power to help connect musicians with the Blues & Roots Radio audience. It is great to see them flourish and grow - just like the musicians that they support. "
Samantha Martin,
Singer-Songwriter, Band Leader.
“ Blues And Roots Radio plays an important part in connecting the independent musician with their audience - and I see this both as a musician and a broadcaster. The network delivers finely crafted programmes to an audience who are not casual listeners but dedicated music fans, each one of them passionate about the folk, blues or roots music that they love and look to the network to deliver. As a radio broadcaster it means a lot to me to realise that I am reaching people with the same love of the music as me, and also as an independent musician the opportunity to have my music heard and appreciated, and connect with people worldwide is invaluable. The fast-growing listenership of Blues And Roots Radio is significant and is well served by the station and its programmes - shows that you would not find on traditional commercial or network radio, and in the post-big label music industry its role will become ever more crucial to the independent musician.”
Paul Long,
Producer, Musician, Broadcaster
“ Blues and Roots Radio have always been huge supporters of live, local independent music. They have become fans and friends of mine and all the projects i've been a part of. They have made it possible for folks to discover my music and have introduced me to a myriad of new music from all over the world. I am honoured to be a part of the BRR family and encourage everyone I meet to listen in. "
J.D. Edwards,
Singer-Songwriter, Musician
“ Music is oxygen for many of us, it connects us to our lives - players & listeners alike. The programming on Blues and Roots Radio is intelligent and always interesting. I love the fact that BRR sheds light on so many artists who would otherwise not likely be heard, The team treat the artists with complete respect while appreciating and showcasing their diversity. Thanks for what you do, I am a fan ! "
Randy MacNeil,
Photographer
