A R T I S T S P O T L I G H T
Soul Music:
BLUES GUITARIST FINDS HIS NICHE
When Connor Helm first heard a Blues guitarist play, he had no idea how deeply the music would draw him in. But now at 18 years old, the soulful music has shaped his dreams.
During his sixth-grade year, his teacher showed the students a video about the history of Jazz music. In the background, music by Blind Lemon Jefferson held him captive – one of the first-ever Blues artists to emerge in the 1920s.
“ I didn’ t know what the music was at the time, but it sounded old and I really liked it,” Connor said.“ It was that style that just caught my ear in a way that other music hadn’ t at the time.”
That day, he went home from school and found a Blues radio station, where he was introduced to old-time and modern Blues musicians like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Freddie King and Howlin’ Wolf. But he especially con- nected with BB King.
“ The way BB King acts and the way he portrays himself, looking at videos, I’ ve had a little bit closer connection to( him) and didn’ t know why,” Connor said.
He finally realized it was because BB King reminded him of his grandpa, John Helm, who also played the guitar and who ended up giving Connor his guitar.
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 40