NH Folk Singer Who Mysteriously Vanished is Subject of New Book

She left New Hampshire for New York City, where she sang folk music that has later been compared to Bob Dylan’s early work. But chances are, you’ve never heard of her. That’s because one day in the '70s, Connie Converse just disappeared.

Converse was born in Laconia and raised in Concord. After two years of college in Massachusetts, she left for Greenwich Village, where her music became popular in the '50s folk scene, according to an NPR interview with biographer Howard Fishman.

In fact, her unassuming – but haunting – music even led to an appearance on CBS’ The Morning Show with broadcasting legend Walter Cronkite.

Then, Bob Dylan came along, started selling the same type of music left and right, and Converse apparently grew frustrated. She relocated to Michigan, started a new life…but sadly, that also was met with personal and professional setbacks and tragedies.

So, in 1974, she informed her family and friends she planned to start yet another life, and vanished.

Decades later, her music would resurface, her ahead-of-its time sparking intrigue from listeners. In 2009, a full album was produced. Then just this year, Fishman published the book To Anyone Who Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse.

In addition to remaining a mystery, Converse is one of the great what-ifs in the singer-songwriter echelon. A talent who may have been one break away from being Carly Simon or Linda Ronstadt. And she was from right here in New Hampshire.

And with so much music that’s lived on, it only deepens the mystery of what exactly happened to Connie Converse. As New Hampshire itself is a hotbed for those who vanish, perhaps you may have met her…