American Greetings Smashup Recordings
The primary studio session vocalist for American Greetings since 2005, these celebrity smashups feature collaborations with Kevin Bacon, Idina Menzel, Martin Short, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal and "Weird" Al Yankovic
Since beginning as a studio session vocalist for American Greetings over two decades ago, Connor can be heard on hundreds of singing cards. From animated Halloween cards for the holidays, to full scale live action remakes and even one of the highest selling physical cards in Walmart and Target history.
Beginning in 2018, American Greetings, the world's second-largest greeting card producer, began collaborating with celebrities of all genres on "Celebrity Smashups", live action E-cards filmed live on location in Los Angeles featuring remakes of classic top 10 songs wishing Happy Birthday greetings to one and all.
The cards feature advanced technology that allow the sender to personalize each one for the recipient's name, age and even a special birthday shoutout. All seamlessly integrated into one full scale production. These cards start out as songwriting demos, and end up months, or even years later as polished Hollywood level vignettes in which Connor is involved from the very beginning. From singing multiple possible demos of the new song, to recording the scratch track for the celebrity to learn from. All the way to the final sessions where over multiple grueling in-studio days, over one thousand names are sung and recorded in key to be inserted into the final product. Backing vocals are sung as well as all harmonies, or even a full multi track barbershop quartet! The celebrity arrives in the end to do their part, with solo vocals and filming. Here are some recent Smashups Connor has worked on:
Idina Menzel
From Broadway's RENT and Wicked, to Disney's Frozen, this remake of "FAME" required all harmonies, and all 1,000+ names to be recorded in studio
Kevin Bacon
This barnyard classic from the Footloose star required multiple original demo sessions, as well as all of the names and harmonies
Michael Bolton
The first of the Celebrity Smashups required songwriting and recording multiple demos for Michael to choose from to record
Shaquille O'Neal
Celebrity Smashups aren't limited to just performers! Shaq joined forces with American Greetings to debut his own card, with Connor on backing shoutouts for hundreds of indivudual names
Smokey Robinson
A very special thrill to join Smokey on backing vocals and names for this one
Martin Short
A production for the ages! This extravaganza required over 10 original demo recordings sung by Connor for Martin to sing along to
"Weird" Al Yankovic
Delayed by over a year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, this production required barbershop quartet vocals, harmonies, all of the names recorded over a three day session and recording with Weird Al himself live in studio!
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