Joanna Connor ->
Joanna Connor came off of a Greyhound bus leaving a promising music career in her hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts to pursue her love of Chicago blues. Since that day of October 15, 1985, her Chicago journey has been prolific! Her latest accolade is being voted runner up to Buddy Guy in Chicago Reader’s ” Reader’s Choice Awards 2014″ as best blues artist, which was voted by the people of Chicagoland!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Integral part of Dion Payton’s 43rd St Bluesband from1985 until 1988 including a track for Alligator Records “The New Bluebloods”, house band at the Checkerboard Lounge, and The Kingston Mines, 3 Chicago Blues Fest appearances, great reviews by Chris Heim in the Chicago Tribune
- Toured with AC Reed 1987 to 1988
- Given own night at Kingston Mines by owner Doc Pellegrino in 1988
- Signed by Blind Pig Records in 1989, released “Believe It” in 1990, ”Fight” 1992,”Big Girl Blues 1995, ” Slidetime” in 1998 all cds reviewed in major market newspapers and national publications including :Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, New York Times, Boston Globe, San Fransisco Examiner, Los Angeles Times, Playboy Magazine, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Vintage Guitar, Billboard Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Relix, Living Blues, Downbeat Magazine,and many others
- Signed to Ruf Records and Ruf touring agency in 1991, released ”Living on The Road”, “Joanna Connor Band”,” Rock n Roll Gypsy””,Big Girl Blues”. Toured the European Continent 32 times from 1990 until 1999 including opening for ZZ Top, and Joe Cocker
TELEVISION
- “Ohne Filter”, “Schmitanneinder”, ” Rock Palast” featured in German TV’s WDR 90 min documentary “The Hard Way to The Top”, Polish National
- Television, Fox 32 News Profile, Travel Channel, and the upcoming new series about Chicago blues on PBS WYCC in the fall of 2014
RADIO
- Morning Edition PBS, House of Blues Radio Hour, Mountain Stage PBS, BBC London
APPEARED WITH Los Lobos, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Sheppard ,John Mayall, ZZ Top, Joe Cocker, Extreme,Luther Allison, BB King, Etta James,Susan Tedeschi,Koko Taylor, Jimmy Page and any others
Joanna was the first American artist to tour Taiwan and the first artist on an independent label to be given an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars. She is also a Victoria Amps endorsee since 1997
