Local singer-songwriter makes the big time

Brian McConnell of West Chester to perform at country music festival

WEST CHESTER » Local musician Brian McConnell is pumped to gig in front of his largest audience to date, at this weekend’s Citadel Country Spirit USA. The venue holds a capacity of 15,000, and is located at Ludwig’s Corner Horseshoe grounds.

McConnell splits his time between West Chester and Nashville and is excited to play such a big show near his hometown.

With a pair of half-hour sets, the guitarist will be opening for country stars Jake Owen and Brad Paisley, on Sunday night, Aug. 26.

McConnell regularly plays the Chadds Ford Tavern, Wednesday nights, and Twenty9 in Malvern on Thursdays.

“It’s rewarding to make a living playing my acoustic guitar, writing songs and performing for people, whether it’s a little bar or the big stage like Citadel,” McConnell said. “I’m opening for these big names and this is my hometown.

“That makes it all that much sweeter.”

McConnell earned the chance to play at outdoor concert as winner of the Citadel Rising Star Contest. Three finalists, one will play each night, were chosen from a field of six.

The musician has worked hard in the business. He moved to Los Angeles after reading “No One Gets Out of Here Alive,” by Danny Sugarman, a book about Jim Morrison and the Doors.

Country and Van Halen music might be considered polar opposites. McConnell has been influenced by both.

He worked as David Lee Roth’s personal assistant for almost a decade and he played in a band live and recorded with Robby Krieger of the Doors, who he met on Venice Beach.

He’s played sold out shows at California venues including The Roxy Theater, The Key Club, The Viper Room, The House of Blues on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and at the Playboy Mansion.

When working with David Lee Roth, McConnell hit both extreme highs and lows.

Roth told McConnell to “keep a body between you and a rock star.” The West Chester singer songwriter said the back stage parties were “interesting.”

“(Roth) is demanding, a micro-manager, he toughened me up for what I’m facing right now,” McConnell said about the man he referred to as Uncle Dave. “I owe my thick skin to Dave.

“Dave was always trying to teach me something — I was his student. He didn’t trust a lot of people, but he treated me good.”

The Playboy Mansion shows were the only gigs his band didn’t complain about when they didn’t get paid.

McConnell talked about the “legendary A-list celebrities,” the bunnies and Wolfgang Puck meals.

The former LA resident regularly visits family in West Chester.

“There is that side of me, I can be the life of the party, but there’s a very private side of me where I like my alone and family time,” he said.

McConnell worked hard to produce a video in the Cayman Islands — film is another of loves — of his song “Neon Shades.” He also wrote and performs “Hollywood” about the travails of Los Angeles.

His music doesn’t fit into any single category and he considers it pop, rock and country.

The guitar strummer likes a wide array of music: ‘70s rock; classic rock; country; R&B; and his particular favorite, ‘80s rock.

“Music from 1981 to 1985 was timeless, some of the greatest music ever, though some might disagree,” he said.

McConnell pointed to Michael Jackson, Van Halen, The Police, The Cars and AC/DC music as personal faves.

For more information, to listen to music or see a video, go to, www.brianmcconnellmusic.com.

The show runs from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26, with McConnell playing Aug. 26 on the Rising Star Stage. The new festival will feature Alabama, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins and the Voice’s Cassadee Pope.

For info call, 800-5143849 or go to www.countryspiritusa.com.

Brian McConnell