Wandering minstrel

By Shaun Inguanzo
LEGENDARY Australian singer and songwriter Graeme Connors could be the best artist you’ve never heard – and he’s coming to Dandenong this month.
Connors, 51, has a collection of industry silverware that more mainstream artists would turn green with envy for.
But his contemporary Australian style, often categorised as country music, means Connors often misses out on mainstream radio exposure.
Connors is played mainly on ABC Radio and community radio stations across the nation where there remains an emphasis on helping listeners to discover new music.
Connors told the Star that he also relies heavily on touring Australia to promote his music.
The Queensland-based singer-songwriter began his illustrious career by touring with American music legend Kris Kristofferson in 1974.
Kristofferson was so impressed that he produced four songs on Connors’ debut album And When Morning Comes.
Flash forward to the present day and after an Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) award for Best Country Album in 1997, and 12 country music industry Golden Guitar Awards, Connors is bringing the feel of the land and wide open spaces to the heart of urban Dandenong.
He will perform with Slim Dusty’s daughter, Anne Kirkpatrick, for one night only at the Drum Theatre on Thursday, 31 may.
“I’ve never performed in Dandenong before,” he said.
“Victoria (in general) is one of the places I haven’t done enough work in.
“We have a nice core audience there and a lot of what I do is spread by word of mouth of the audience so touring is an important part of what I do.”
Connors said the breadth of his songwriting would ensure that his core fan base through to hardened urbanites would enjoy his style.
“What I do is contemporary Australian songwriting and a certain percentage of the public character has a sense of regionality, of the land, and of wide open spaces,” he said.
“If they want to look at my music as country, then that’s how they see it.
“But on the same token many of my songs are inspired by inner city living.
“There is a bit of troubadour in me that writes about things I’ve known and loved, as I have travelled widely.”
Connors has written songs for other artists, including Slim Dusty, Jon English, and even John Denver.
To see him perform live, book now at the Drum Theatre Box Office on 9771 6666.