Meet Larry O’Connor

We were lucky to catch up with Larry O’Connor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Larry, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that We now have words, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is a natural assessment born of desire to compare oneself to others. I have done my job for 20 years on each side of the Mississippi River. So I am guessing I am not faking it. I could still say I am an amateur who made a living despite mediocrity. Or not. Imposter syndrome is just a matter of opinion. The opinion isn’t useful unless you do something with it. If you don’t quit in defeat then you live in following dreams that by human nature will be infused with self doubt. My shift mostly occurred when I read the book Art And Fear. Simply put: will there ever be another Beethoven? NO. Now go make some art.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a result of performing for the public and creating repertoires that match their tastes, I consistently produce the effect of people having a great time listening and participating in my performances. Lots of people play instruments. I am a professional entertainer. A common compliment I get is that I am the best they have seen. I can do this for two specific age groups: Baby Boomers and the WW2 generation. There are two completely different repertoires necessary to entertain the “Greatest Generation” and the “Woodstock Nation”. They pretty much had separate musical lives. I have both of those repertoires ready at hand. Sometimes I have to entertain a mixture so I shuffle them up a bit. Currently I book one hour shows for Senior Communities, luncheons, and house parties.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My three most valued skills are piano technique, love of musical harmony, and courage. I had and sought out good teachers and practiced consistently. The sheer thrill of an E7 chord is just as much fun to play as it was in 7th grade. That is what gets me through the disappointments of a music career: living in the moment with sound. And in the end, if you want to get paid you have to take action! Name your fears and watch them disappear. Just Do It. And learn a little about everything self-employed: website, accounting, marketing, sales, tech skills. The last thing you get to do is play the song.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Posting consistently to social media. I took a course from Sounds True called the Power of Conscious Marketing. I post a song I performed live for an audience every odd-numbered day just to be in the game. Over time I have improved my look and my video skills as a result of committing to this schedule.

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