Thomas Conner, a highly regarded editor and writer at the Chicago Sun-Times, has been named to succeed Jim DeRogatis as the paper's pop music critic.
DeRogatis announced his resignation last month to join the faculty of Columbia College Chicago and become a blogger for Vocalo.org. He continues as co-host of Chicago Public Radio's nationally syndicated "Sound Opinions" with Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune. Asked to comment on his new role Tuesday, Conner said:
"I've been DeRo's editor for five years here, so I know the exact size of the large shoes I'm expected to fill. But I have a fairly well-traveled pair of my own. I've been writing music criticism for (yegods) almost 20 years now, and I'm eager to embrace it again as a full-time pursuit. Of all American cities to tune into, this is the most exciting and diverse. The Sun-Times has always had its ear pretty close to the ground, and I plan to get out there and explore some street-level sounds as well as whatever lumbers into Soldier Field."
