HOW SAD, HOW LOVELY


The term folk music conjures a certain image : a smoky cafe, an earnest singer-songwriter with a guitar protesting with their lyrics. That is what folk music eventually became. Prior to that folk music was tragic tales of the workin' man - farmers and coal miners bemoaning their plight. Before that folk music consisted of artists covering ballads Scottish and Irish immigrants brought over from the old country. One woman changed folk music but is never heralded with a great who came after her. Connie Converse was called "the first singer songwriter" because she interjected her feelings into political statements rather than using her songs to tell others' tales of woe. In 1974 she packed her car, told her family goodbye, and never surfaced again. 


Elizabeth Eaton Converse, born August 3, 1924 in Laconia, New Hampshire, grew up in a strict Baptist home. Her father, minister, and her mother, and accomplished musician, only allowed religious or classical music in the house. Elizabeth was the middle child, the only daughter, bookended by an older and a younger brother. Elizabeth was valedictorian of her graduating class, earning a scholarship to Mount Holyoke college. She left after 2 years, deciding to move to New York City. Without a label, or an agent, she aimed to become a professional musician. She recorded her songs on a reel to reel tape recorder in her apartment kitchen. She changed her name to Connie and began smoking and drinking, much to her parents dismay.


Connie performed on the CBS Morning Show, but never found traction as a professional musician. After so little success she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where her younger brother resided. Connie became the editor of the Journal of Conflict Resolution. She joined peace activism groups and gave public lectures. She requested a 6-month leave from her editing job due to poor mental health. In 1974 she was told she needed a hysterectomy. She asked her brother to make sure her insurance was paid, but to cease paying the policy by a certain (unspecified) date.

She wrote goodbye letters to her family. After the annual family vacation, she packed her belongings into her car, waved goodbye, and drove away. 10 years after her disappearance her family consulted a private investigator. The P I told them that if he did find her alive, he could not force her to return or contact her family. Her family ceased looking for her. Her brother Philip opened the filing cabinet she left behind. He found letters, lyrics, and reel-to-reel recordings of her songs. He also found research ; Connie attempted to analyze songs to scientifically determine what made a song a hit - and analog version of today's streaming radio. In 2009 her recordings were turned into an album - How Lovely, How Sad, perfect title for a woman who tried to share her music with a world that was not ready to listen.


SOURCES :

Connie Converse. Wikipedia.

Fishman, Howard. Connie Converse Was ‘the Female Bob Dylan.’ Then She Disappeared. Rolling Stone, 28 April 2023.


FURTHER MEDIA :

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