Kevin O'Connor was born into the sprawling industrial southeast side of Chicago. His parents, who were teachers, moved to the south suburbs, where he spent his formative years in the pursuit of athletics and the written word. After his father's untimely death, Kevin turned to music and the arts. He attended college, but financial difficulties forced him to drop out. Kevin's true education came when he became a paramedic on Chicago's far west side. The indigent community he served taught him about the immense beauty and frailty of the human condition. Kevin returned to school later in life and completed his degree, graduating as a member of both the track and field team and the National Historical Honor Society. Today, Kevin is a published author, songwriter, Irish musician, and-most proudly-a husband and father.