Harry Connick Jr., the Southern boy with the smooth voice, is enjoying his many jobs, loves his wife and daughters and George Jones.
By GINA VIVINETTO
Published May 27, 2004
[Publicity photo]
Harry Connick Jr.’s latest release, Only You, is a collection of ballads.
Harry Connick Jr. won the hearts of music lovers in 1989 with his smooth Sinatra-style vocals and jazzy piano playing on the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack.
Since then, Connick, 36, has become a crossover celebrity, with hit records, Grammy awards, movie roles, and his role as Dr. Leo Markus on NBC's Will & Grace.
Connick recently released the sublime Only You, a collection of ballads. The singer-pianist also stars in Mickey, a new feature film with screenplay written by John Grisham.
From a tour stop in Louisville, Ky., Connick answers 10 Pressing questions about being a Southern boy in New York, the Metallica CD in his collection and how he won the heart of former Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, with whom he has three daughters.
(1) Your love for Frank Sinatra is well-known, but I heard that country singer George Jones is another favorite.
I've always liked George Jones. He's just a different style than Sinatra. They're both the best at what the do. I just love the sound of (Jones') voice. He has an innate talent for harmony and lyric interpretation that I respond to. He's a soulful dude.
What are your favorite of Jones' songs?
I like The Door a lot. These Days (I Barely Get By), and The Same Old Me.
And who are your favorite piano players?
I like Errol Garner, Duke (Ellington). I like (Thelonious) Monk, Bill Evans, James Booker.
(2) You're from New Orleans, but you now live in New York. Do you still consider yourself a Southern boy?
Yeah, I don't think moving to New York changed me much.
What qualities of Southern culture do you still appreciate?
I guess just the things you remember, the food, the way people treat one another, manners, certain characteristics of the South that will never leave you.
When I go to New York, I realize another thing about Southerners: we're slow,
(laughs) Right.
You go to a deli and take too long to order and people are like, "Hurry up!'
(laughs) It's definitely a different thing.
Was it hard for you to acclimate to that pace?
I don't think about that stuff too much. Nobody ever bothers me about it and I don't bother them.
Well, you're also Harry Connick Jr.
Where is Jill from?
She's from Texas.
Are you superstitious? Being from New Orleans, with all that voodoo.
Not too much.
Do you do any rituals before you go onstage?
I used to feel like I had to take a nap before I performed. But I don't do that anymore, because what happens if you don't have time to take a nap?
Then you're jinxed.
Right, then you're jinxed.
(3) You cover songs from Fats Domino to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Do you have anything in your CD collection that would shock us, like Metallica?
I have some Metallica, actually. I like them. I like music, everything. I have my opinions on what I think is good and bad. I don't know why I like what I like. I used to be in rock 'n' roll bands. Not too long ago, I was touring with my funk band, playing that stuff every night.
(4) You have three daughters?
Georgia, 8; Kate, 6, and Charlotte, who's almost 2.
Are any of them getting into music?
My older two are into music. They're playing piano. The 6-year-old is playing trumpet.
Are you encouraging this?
Oh yeah. I encourage whatever they want to do.
You started playing very young.
I was 3.
Your parents owned a record store.
Yes, but that was a long time before I was born. They were both lawyers. But, they loved music and I love music. So, who am I to say you can't do this? My daughters can do whatever they want to do.
(5) You're such a nice guy. How did you so convincingly play a serial killer in Copycat?
I'm an artist. The thing about being an artist, you're sort of allowed to reach to places you don't normally go to. I think that side is in all of us. We are amazing people, human beings. I enjoy that exploration process. I don't display that side on a daily basis for a few reasons: for one, it would freak people out. Also it's just not a place you venture to a lot. It's not interesting if you have to go there all the time.
(6) Your music is romantic, perfect for dates. Do you have advice for the guys out there for a perfect night out with a lady? What did you do to woo Jill?
I think the main thing is you have to be into each other. I was really into Jill, no matter what we did, it was all about having a great time with her. I'm kind of a one-woman guy. My intention with Jill was to develop a relationship with her. So, whether we went to a movie or to the circus or a basketball game or whatever we did, I was really into figuring her out.
Did it click right away with you two?
The first day.
Did you really go to the circus?
We did, actually. She had a birthday about a month after we met. We went to the circus. It was one of those things you don't do every day. It seemed like it would be fun to do. I was, as I am today, completely blown away by her. I think she's just an amazing person.
(7) Are you and Jill you strict parents?
At times, yes.
What kind of rules do you have for your girls?
Oh, certain bedtimes. Normal rules: you have to do your homework, you have to brush your teeth, you have to say your prayers, you have to clean up your room.
Do you spank your kids?
No, we don't do that.
Any dogs or cats at home?
One dog named Roxy . . . She's a Bichon.
(8) Which one of you is more shallow? You're both so good-looking, if both of you woke up ugly, who would it bother more?
Me, definitely. She is a freak. She never looks ugly. She is a freak of nature.
Even with no makeup?
I think she is the most beautiful woman in the world. Objectively. Not just because she's my wife. She is unbelievably perfect. I am definitely more shallow.
So, if Jill woke up ugly, you'd be disappointed?
No, she couldn't wake up ugly. She's perfect. I'm the one with (pause) issues.
So, if you woke up ugly, would Jill care?
No, but, see, that's the problem, I think she does care, but she doesn't. She doesn't care at all. No, man, I'm always ugly when I wake up.
(9) You have such a good fashion sense, at least in photos. Does your wife help out, or is that your style?
I've always been real into clothes and fashion.
(10) Other Hours, your 2003 instrumental album, really dazzled the jazz purists. Does it bother you that critics don't always give your playing the praise you deserve?
That doesn't matter to me.
Do you care what critics say?
The good ones, it's interesting to hear what they have to say, sure. I don't base what I do on it. There are some very knowledgeable critics out there, I'm aware of that. I play and do what I do and I'm having a great life. I'm enjoying myself.
But it does feel good to read those glowing reviews, though?
Well, sure, come on. I know what I can do. I know my strength, I know my limitations. But, they (the critics) do what they do and it's a public forum and I have no problem with that.
The critics say Harry can sing, he can play the piano, he can act. And you're married, happily, with three kids. You're cursed!
(Laughs) Yeah, it's pretty bad.
No, everyone has his baggage to carry. I'm no exception. i have things that aren't perfect. Those are not the things I necessarily choose to publicize. The things I want to people to know about are the things I know how to do.
I am really happy and I think I have a balanced life. I have no complaints.
-- Gina Vivinetto can be reached at 727 893-8565 or gina@sptimes.com
PREVIEW: Harry Connick Jr. performs at 8 p.m. Friday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $47-$77. (727) 791-7400.
