Interview with Jack Connolly

For Jack Connolly, the song is everything. Free of pretensions or pomp, his Country folk-tinged tunes are all about vivid storytelling, and this talent shines on his latest album, Great Big Soul.

The Toronto-based songwriter has been involved in the Canadian music scene for more than a decade. Having grown up playing coffee houses on Vancouver Island, he released his debut Indie album Open Stage in 2001. His sophomore full-length The Empty Cafe followed in 2004, and its rootsy full-band sound earned Jack the title of Songwriter of the Year at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.

Seeking new experiences, he relocated to Toronto in 2009 and quickly took part in the vibrant local music scene. In addition to regularly performing his own songs around town and on the road, he formed the country 'covers' group the Gas Station Cowboys covering Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and others.

He drew on these influences - in addition to old favourites like Bruce Springsteen & Tom Cochrane - when penning the songs that make up his latest full-length, Great Big Soul, on Country label Curve Music. The album began as a batch of barebones demos recorded in a church basement in downtown Toronto, and Jack eventually fleshed them out at the Tragically Hip's Bathouse Recording Studio with producer John MacArthur Ellis.

Jack was one of six jury-selected finalists from across the country who participated in the Canadian Country Music Association's (CCMA) prestigious 2013 Discovery Program, and showcased his material at the CCMA's in Edmonton in September to rave reviews.

Also on the show, Ontario Country artist Chelsea Crites is here to talk about her new single Doing To Me.