by His Friends
Justin Mathews Conn was born on April 12, 1978 in Memphis, TN. Growing up an only child, he learned to fend for himself on the tough playgrounds and harsh classroom environment of Presbyterian Day School from 1985-1990. Through sixth grade, Justin was heavily involved in soccer and the martial arts. This dedication culminated in a black belt in Karate at age 12, making him instantly popular at school because he could kick everyone's ass. Ever since then, no one makes fun of him. Especially not his paper-white skin which, incidentally, is so white that you have to wear sunglasses when you look at him in the sun. Really.
Justin began taking piano lessons in grade school, hoping that he could balance his then-ferocious playground attitude with some high culture. But spending most of his time watching MTV like any good child of the eighties, he became fascinated with such big-hair rock bands as Def Leppard, Warrant, and Slaughter. After receiving membership acknowledgement from the official Warrant fan club, he decided to ditch the piano in favor of the electric guitar, sending Tipper Gore into mild convulsions. At some point, he even sold himself to the devil, but not much is known about that. Once the devil was satisfied anyway, he started guitar lessons at the nearly world-famous Howard Vance Guitar Academy in Memphis (for all of you locals, that's right next to Bud Davis Cadillac), where he increased his talent exponentially.
High school for Justin was probably a big blur of soccer and term papers. Justin quickly found himself goalie of the Memphis University School soccer team, where his opponents simply could not score against his blinding white skin. In his spare time, Justin started a rhythm-n-blues band with old grade school chums Lee Gilliland (vocals), Bradford Bates (keyboards), and Matt Kirby (bass). Although short-lived and unnamed, they played several gigs at various University of Memphis fraternities and historic P&H Cafe in downtown Memphis. Eventually irreconcilable personalities drove a wedge through the band (which we are certain would have gone on to get a major record deal), and Justin made the decision to kick his three friends out of the band, who went on to play with another guitarist. Justin contends that it definitely DIDN'T happen like his ex-friends say, that they kicked him out of the band. Anyway, Justin gave up bands for the rest of high school.
After graduating, Justin realized that all of his friends had gone to college, so he rushed to get in college himself. Luckily, after checking with his trusty college guidance counselor, he learned there was space available at some place in Ohio called Kenyon College, which agreed to admit him after their other options didn't pan out. Once at school, Justin was amazed at the glories of college freedom. Caught in the whirlwind of this happy-go-lucky freedom, he decided to major in music. Miraculously, somehow he convinced his parents to let him major in music, despite their undoubted realization that their "investment" in his education was about to vanish. Undeterred, Justin ploughed on in school. A few beers and a few girlfriends later, Justin began playing for a blues band at Kenyon. (info not yet available) Eventually he managed to graduate and return to Memphis.
Today Justin is actively pursuing his career in the music industry. He has spent several hours recording some original material in a Nashville studio.