Using his home studio as a proving ground, Conn has been experimenting with a Mini Grand module and an OB3 Squared to give him his piano and organ sounds, both crucial to Conn's playing.

"The OB3 Squared is my current favorite, I've been fooling with that quite a bit," Conn said, adding that he's incorporating both modules into his stage rig.

Conn has also been using an MC3000 controller.

"I can't wait to play this thing live because it works so well in my studio," Conn said. "It's fun to play, which is saying a lot because I've got a six-foot grand in here."

Gibson.Net visited Conn's studio, where in addition to his Oberheim gear, Conn's collection of instruments included a Gibson BR-4 amplifier which dates back to the '40s. He also has a full size Hammond B-3 and rotating Leslie cabinet.

"In a perfect world, I'd take my B-3 to every gig," Conn said. "But it's not a perfect world, that's why the OB3-Squared is so useful."

While Conn is "aggressively" pursuing solo career, his diverse playing style makes him regular fixture in the studio and on stage with artists such as Lee Roy Parnell, Sonny Landreth, Matraca Berg (writer of 15 #1 hits including "Strawberry Wine"), Hal Ketchum, Rodney Crowell, and the Rankin Family (produced by George Massenburg).

Stay tuned to Gibson.Net for a full-length interview with Steve. In the mean time, visit www.nashville.net/~sconn/.