Born and raised in Dalton, Georgia, Connor Priest discovered his love for music early—singing in a little white church on a hill at just six years old. By age nine, he had picked up the guitar, and at 11 he was already performing in local talent shows. At 13, Connor began teaching himself music production from his bedroom computer, releasing his first album at 15.

In April 2019, Connor lost his mother unexpectedly. While navigating that difficult season, he found new motivation to pursue music and connect with a broader audience. That August, he began posting daily short-form videos on TikTok. After months of videos that went largely unseen, his February 2020 cover of Alex & Sierra’s “Little Do You Know” went viral.

The response encouraged Connor to keep creating. Throughout the pandemic, he continued performing locally at restaurants while building a following through TikTok covers. Shortly before his initial breakthrough on the platform, he opened for Jacob Bryant at Crescent City Tavern in Dalton. Through TikTok, Connor connected with influential artists and became an influencer for 1824 UMG.

Connor’s work has earned recognition from musical legends and respected artists including Dionne Warwick, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Air Supply, Dalton Dover, and Tom Higgenson of Plain White T’s. He has also written songs with McCoy Moore and wrote “Drank” by Justin Champagne, contributing guitar and banjo to the recording.

Today, Connor Priest is a songwriter, producer, audio engineer, and—most importantly—an artist. As the founder of Weeping Willow Records, he has helped cultivate millions of streams across platforms while working alongside a growing roster of artists in many different roles.

In 2023, Connor auditioned for Season 22 of American Idol before celebrity judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Though his audition did not air, the experience strengthened his determination and inspired him to pursue his craft with even greater focus.

Connor now produces for five country artists, including himself, and continues building a career rooted in honest songwriting, distinctive production, and a lifelong love for music.