Connor Hirtle has been part of the crowd at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival nearly every year since he was paralyzed in a swimming accident while attending in 2015.
But this year, the 32-year-old, who is originally from Dublin Shore, N.S., was on the stage. His band, HIRTLE, which is named after him, played on July 10th.
“Surreal is the word that keeps coming to mind for me,” says Hirtle.
They “crushed it out for 45 minutes” in front of new fans who strolled in to watch but also the familiar faces of friends and family, who he says are the main reason he keeps playing.
The festival is a massive event in Prince Edward Island and one of the largest music festivals in Atlantic Canada. It was the biggest show Hirtle and his band have played yet.
He loved going to the festival before he was hurt, and the only time he missed it was the year he was recovering from the accident.
Singing a privilege
After he was injured, Hirtle did not know where life would take him. He loved singing but he was not sure he could do it afterwards.
He says some people injured like that often cannot speak loudly. But being able to not only sing but to sing in a band—he considers that a privilege.
“It’s just something that I never thought would happen. It wasn’t in my game plan, but I’m not complaining about it, because I love doing it,” he says.
“It’s pretty exciting.”
Playing through the pandemic
While many were shut indoors to curb the spread of COVID-19, Hirtle started singing with two friends who played guitar.
They posted a video online that blew up.
In the first day or two, he says he thinks between 75,000 and 100,000 people saw it.
Since then, they formed a full band, with Jackson Meisner on lead guitar, Justin Heisler on bass, Tyler Daniels on the drums and Luke Mack as rhythm guitarist.
They have released four singles so far this year. By September or October, they hope to have three more out and then release their first EP.
He says they are all passionate about what they are doing, writing their own music, “working their butts off.”
“It would be great to see us in Nashville someday.”
Full circle
Hirtle says, going back to a place where your life was changed, you reflect on a lot of things. His first time returning to the festival after the accident was very emotional.
But whether it was having the band there or being nervous to play, this time he felt better.
“That’s kind of a sign, just another step forward in this this different path that I’m taking.”
