VH1Beth |
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Tonight we're chatting with musician Harry Connick, Jr.! In between a variety of movie roles, he continues to write, record, and perform new songs, and he just released the album "Star Turtle," a voyage through musical genres and New Orleans street scenes Harry Connick, Jr. is answering your questions about the "Star Turtle" album and more! |
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Harry, I love your new "Star Turtle" album, when will you begin touring for it.(from R.K.) |
HarryVH1 |
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hi everyone... i'll be starting my tour in the fall don't know the dates yet, though... |
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Harry, how long have you been in the music buz? |
HarryVH1 |
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since i was a kid... i recorded my first album when i was 9... |
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Harry, all of your music is amazing! But which style is really closest to your heart? I'm a vocalist / instrumentalist myself and perform all kinds of music, but i find it hard not to have a favorite. |
HarryVH1 |
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i love new orleans music the best... all types... |
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Harry, I heard that there is an interesting story line about the space turtle in your new albulm. What is the story? |
HarryVH1 |
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it's just the story of a giant space turtle that comes to new orleans... i take him around the city and take him to some music clubs... that's about it... |
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Mr. Connick, you are a very talented singer and entertainer. I live on St. Charles Ave. and have been fortunate enough to see all of the "Orpheus" parades so far. Is it a lot of work organizing a crew like Orpheus? Is it fun? More beads this year? |
HarryVH1 |
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i love riding in orpheus... anyone can join ( just call 'orpheus" in n.o.)... it's a blast... we have a staff that does all of the work... |
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Harry, how does it feel to be able to help the careers of fellow musicians like Leroy Jones, Russell Malone, and Jeremy Davenport? |
HarryVH1 |
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i haven't done much except be a huge fan... they all have immense talents... |
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Do you have any movie roles coming up in the near future? If so, what movies and with whom? Thanks. |
HarryVH1 |
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i just finished a movie with alicia silverstone called "excess baggage"... comes out next year... |
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What do you like the most about this album? |
HarryVH1 |
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the turtle... |
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Hey dawlin...you and Jill and little Georgia consider New Orleans or New York home? Love Ya! |
HarryVH1 |
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new york... |
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Harry, will you be taking Star Turtle on a college tour? |
HarryVH1 |
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don't know if it'll be a college tour or not... i'll be touring, though... |
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I missed you on the Rosi O'donnell show the other day. I heard you and your wife just had a baby. I was wondering if this will influence you music even more? |
HarryVH1 |
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she's influenced my life... don't know if she'll influence my music... i'm sure she will... |
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How's the kid doing? |
HarryVH1 |
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awesome |
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Hey Harry what was your favorite movie role?? |
HarryVH1 |
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the one i just did with alicia silverstone was pretty cool... i play a car salesman... |
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Which of your albums are you most proud of? Which is your favorite? |
HarryVH1 |
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my christmas album... and star turtle... |
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Where do you go when you're home in New Orleans? Favorite places? |
HarryVH1 |
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mandina's... it's my favorite restaurant... |
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Harry, what do you think of Brian Setzer's orchestra, which combines big band and rockabilly? Joe from Montgomery |
HarryVH1 |
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hi joe... i only listen to old big band - if i listen to it... duke ellingtone is my favorite... |
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do you have a video out about Space Turtle? |
HarryVH1 |
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just on the cd extra (at the end of the cd) |
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Mr. Connick,When you write, do you start with a rythm, chord progression or melody? I just saw you on an MTV show called Road Rules at Mardi Gras. After seeing that, my friends and I want to go this year. Will you be there?! |
HarryVH1 |
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lyrics... always... then the melodies... i'll be there... come on down... |
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I am from Nebraska, what is "Orpheus"? (Cashew) |
HarryVH1 |
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orpheus is a mardi gras parade... the first parade to include men women, black and white |
VH1Beth |
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We've got 5 signed posters of Star Turtle to give away! The first one who can tell me what the first single from Star Turtle gets one! Send an IM to VH1Beth! |
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Harry, do you actually arrange all the instrumental parts to the songs you perform or do you just wing it at times? |
HarryVH1 |
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i know!!! |
VH1Beth |
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OK, Harry wins... |
HarryVH1 |
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on the star turtle songs, i play all of the instruments and do all of the voices... i arrange the the other songs and leave it up to the talent of the band after that... |
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Harry, any plans for a "30" album? Also, why weren't you asked to perform at Sinatra's birthday party. One would think you would be more appropriate than "Hootie!!!" |
HarryVH1 |
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i'll do '30'... don't know why i wasn't asked... guess they like hootie better than me... :( |
VH1Beth |
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If you know the first single from Star Turtle, send an IM to VH1MKB to win a signed poster from Harry! |
HarryVH1 |
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I KNOW!!!! |
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Harry? How do you feel about being compared to Frank Sinatra? I know it is good company, but do you ever feel preasure because of it? |
VH1Beth |
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OK, we've got a winner - we'll have another question in a sec! |
HarryVH1 |
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i love frank sinatra's music... being compared to him is awesome... no pressure... just silly... especially now... |
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Harry...I'm curious about your feelings on educating young musicians. You know Whinton M. made a great video series on jazz and the orchestra. Do you plan on getting involved on a professional level with music educators in America? |
HarryVH1 |
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i give lectures at schools all of the time... wynton is the greatest |
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What made you decide to advertise your e-mail address on your latest CD? |
HarryVH1 |
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i want to hear from the fans... |
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Did you really go really go to a Jesuit High School? I went to one in Kansas City. Ever have a JUG? |
HarryVH1 |
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i was a blue jay at jesuit... never had a jug... |
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Harry as a fellow musician do you feel it's important for me to learn the chords I'm playing or can I just carry on playing by ear? |
VH1Beth |
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We've got our winners..we'll have another question in a minute!! |
HarryVH1 |
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depends on how involved you want to be... there are plenty of people making money who don't know harmony... i think it's important, though |
VH1Beth |
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Our two winners are Mannwerner and Rombyc..hang out afterwards to find out how to get your prizes! |
HarryVH1 |
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what about me!!! |
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What makes you turn down or accept a movie role? |
VH1Beth |
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Harry, don't you already have one? |
HarryVH1 |
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the script has to be great... great directors and actors are important, too... |
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hi harry! What do you like to do in your spare time? |
VH1Beth |
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We've got another trivia question coming up in a minute... |
HarryVH1 |
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i love sports boxing, mountain and road biking, football, etc.,... underwater basket weaving... |
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I love all of your work! However, I am partial to the big band. Any plans to release another big band album? |
HarryVH1 |
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i will at some point... |
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do you enjoy doing TV interviews? |
HarryVH1 |
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i love tv |
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Harry, I'm getting married in April, and I'd love to play your music. Which album is the most romantic in your opinion? |
HarryVH1 |
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some of the songs on we are in love, 25, and blue light, red light... |
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I'm an infrequent visitor to New Orleans, but will be visiting several times over the next 8 months. Do you perform regularly there? If so, at what location? |
HarryVH1 |
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i don't perform regularly... |
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When you were 10 what was your favorite jazz tune ? Karen |
HarryVH1 |
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when the saints go marching in |
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What was it like to work with Alicia Silverstone... p.s. you're a coolio |
HarryVH1 |
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thanks... alicia is awesome... super cool |
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I have a turtle. think I should paint a yellow star on him?! =) |
HarryVH1 |
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if it's meant to be... |
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Harry, do you have any unreleased songs? If so, will they ever be put out? |
HarryVH1 |
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not too many... |
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Just who is that with that crazy deep voice that scares me to death when I listen to your album late at night? |
HarryVH1 |
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it's me... wasn't meant to scare anyone... just a big, droopy turtle trying to save his planet... he's really cute |
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It wouldn't be Christmas in my home without your album. Do you plan on having another christmas special? |
HarryVH1 |
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thanks... one day... |
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Mr. Connick, Are you Cajun, Creol, or none of the above? |
HarryVH1 |
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white boy |
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Harry, What did you think of the Miami Birthday Celebration? |
HarryVH1 |
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awesome |
VH1Beth |
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We have two more signed posters to give away.Send an IM to VH1MKB if you know Harry's web address!!! |
HarryVH1 |
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i know!!!!! |
VH1Beth |
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Sorry, send those IMs to VHVIEW!!! |
HarryVH1 |
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me! me! me! |
VH1Beth |
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OK, then Harry, what is it? |
HarryVH1 |
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dunno... |
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Okay, here's a personal question. Have you ever been in love? |
HarryVH1 |
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you're joking, right? |
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Who have been your biggest musical influences? |
HarryVH1 |
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james booker, monk, duke, miles, frank, dick haymes, earl hines, erroll garner, etc... |
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My favorite song is "Recipe for love", any special story behind it? |
HarryVH1 |
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i wrote it for the "dick tracy" soundtrack... they didn't dig it... so i put it on my cd... |
VH1Beth |
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OK, we have our winners! Cygirl and SnrDikhead are the winners. Please stop sending IMs now! Harry's cool site is at http://www.sony.com/Music/AI/HarryConnick/ !! |
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what is your middle name |
HarryVH1 |
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joseph harry fowler connick, jr. |
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Harry, are you good friends with Patrick Euwing from the Ny Knicks??????? |
HarryVH1 |
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i've only met him a few times... super cool... big dude... |
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What made you decide to change your style of music? |
HarryVH1 |
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i never changed... i've always played this style... just not on record... |
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Harry, will you be on any more talk shows in the near future. |
HarryVH1 |
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leno... couple of weeks... |
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Mr. Jr ... Sir, how many impersonations CAN you do? |
HarryVH1 |
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all of them... |
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Harry, do you ever feel musically drained, like an inspiration won't happen? If so,what do you do, where do you think an inspiration comes from? |
HarryVH1 |
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never... i guess i just keep so busy... always thinking of something... |
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how did you started in acting? and who inspired you the most? |
HarryVH1 |
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memphis belle... i get inspired by the actors i work with... |
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what is your favorite food? |
HarryVH1 |
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red beans and rice pizza |
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havent heard your new album yet..have been told that it is different...??what doe that mean? |
HarryVH1 |
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star turtle is an experience... you'll have to check it out... |
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Would you encourage your child to pursue a career in music? |
HarryVH1 |
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no... she can do what she wants... |
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How did you come up with the idea for the CD rom extra on Star Turtle? |
HarryVH1 |
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sony told me it could be done... i think it's really cool |
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what style of music do you think your next album will be. I've liked them all alot but I'd like to hear some more of the funkier stuff |
HarryVH1 |
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dunno... |
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Do you miss living in the south? |
HarryVH1 |
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tons... the south is home |
VH1Beth |
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Thanks Harry - we're about out of time!! Congrats to our 4 contest winners!! If you still feel like hanging out, there's a chat starting in the VH1 chat room now (keyword: VH1). |
VH1Beth |
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The next VH1 Online auditorium event is with The Badlees on August 6 at 9pm ET. See you then! |