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Chris Knight (singer)

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For other people named Christopher Knight, see Christopher Knight (disambiguation).
Chris Knight
Chris Knight at WVHEDW Soccer Club in Amsterdam (2 February 2007)
Chris Knight at WVHEDW Soccer Club in Amsterdam (2 February 2007)
Background information
Birth nameChris Knight
Born (1960-06-24) June 24, 1960 (age 64)
Slaughters, Kentucky
United States
GenresSinger-songwriter
Country
Americana
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active1998 – present
LabelsDecca
Dualtone
Drifter's Church Productions
Websitehttp://www.chrisknight.net/

Chris Knight (born June 24, 1960) is an American singer-songwriter from Slaughters, Kentucky. In addition to releasing solo records of his own material, Knight has had a successful career writing songs that have been recorded by Confederate Railroad, John Anderson, and Randy Travis among others.[1][2]

Biography

Early life

Knight grew up in Slaughters, Kentucky.[1] His extended family lives in the same area of Kentucky. Knight has three brothers and a sister. His father was a pipe liner.[3]

When he was three years old, he asked for a plastic guitar for Christmas. At 15, he became serious and began teaching himself John Prine songs on his older brother's guitar.[4]

Knight earned a degree in agriculture from Western Kentucky University. He worked for ten years as a mine reclamation inspector and as a miner's consultant for the Kentucky Department of Surface Mining.[5]

Music career

Knight started composing when he was 26, but didn't start performing until he was 30. He got his first record deal when he was 37.[6]

Nashville

In 1986, he heard Steve Earle on the radio and decided to start writing songs. After six years he came to Nashville and won a spot on a songwriters' night at the Bluebird Cafe.[4]

He attracted the interest of music producer Frank Liddell, who signed him to a contract with Bluewater Music. When Decca Records hired Liddell for an A&R position, Knight received a contract and in 1998 Decca released his self-titled debut. Knight still lived in a 10'-x-15' trailer[6] on 90 acres (360,000 m2) in Slaughters when the album was released.[4] Decca folded at the end of the 1990s, only two years after Knight joined the label. After a couple years without a label, Knight signed with Dualtone Music Group.

Knight licensed his music to Dualtone Records for two records, then decided to release his music independently with the help of his manager.[2]

Texas

Knight is well known in Texas for writing the hit Montgomery Gentry song "She Couldn't Change Me" and because of his particular fame in Texas, was named an "Honorary Texan" in 2006 by Texas Governor Rick Perry.[7]

Early releases

He recorded his first demo tapes, bootlegged—and then self-released—while living alone in a trailer on his property outside Slaughters.[8] Called The Trailer Tapes, and officially released in 2007.[9] They were one of his best-selling records.[10]

Little Victories

It took Knight four years to release Little Victories in 2012. Knight's former Decca labelmate, Lee Ann Womack, collaborated with him on "You Lie When You Call My Name."[11] Long-time musical hero John Prine sings on the title track.[12] Buddy Miller plays guitar and sings on two tracks: "Missing You" and "Nothing on Me."[13]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country US US
Heat 		US
Indie
Chris Knight — — — —
A Pretty Good Guy — — — —
The Jealous Kind
  • Release date: August 19, 2003
  • Label: Dualtone Records
 67 — — —
Enough Rope
  • Release date: July 11, 2006
  • Label: Thirty Tigers
 — — — —
The Trailer Tapes
  • Release date: April 3, 2007
  • Label: Thirty Tigers
 68 — 40 —
Heart of Stone
  • Release date: August 19, 2008
  • Label: Drifter's Church
 37 — 7 31
Trailer II
  • Release date: September 15, 2009
  • Label: Thirty Tigers
 64 — — —
Little Victories
  • Release date: September 11, 2012
  • Label: Drifter's Church
 25 148 4 33
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Chris Knight at the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, Kentucky on July 19, 2008
Year Song Album
1998 "Framed" Chris Knight
"It Ain't Easy Being Me"
2001 "Becky's Bible" A Pretty Good Guy
2002 "Oil Patch Town"
2003 "The Jealous Kind" The Jealous Kind
2006 "Cry Lonely" Enough Rope
2012 "In the Mean Time" Little Victories

Music videos

Year Video Director
1998 "Framed" Roger Pistole
"It Ain't Easy Being Me"
2002 "Oil Patch Town"
2006 "Cry Lonely" Milton Sneed
2013 "In the Mean Time"[14] James Weems

Songs written or co-written by Knight

Television appearances

In 2015, Chris Knight was featured in Season 1, Episode 2 of CarbonTV's original series, American Elements.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b "Lonesome Highway lines up a treat with Kentucky Chris". Edinburgh Evening News. January 19, 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b Banister, C. Eric (October 23, 2008). "Something to Keep Me Going - A Conversation with Chris Knight". AmericanRoots.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  3. ^ Mayshark, Jesse Fox (Sep–Oct 2001). "Kentucky straight • Chris Knight has no tall tales to tell, but his characters speak volumes". No Depression. The Long Way Around (Feature) (35). Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Wahlert, Brian. "Chris Knight - Biography - All Music". Allmusic.com. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  5. ^ Tarradell, Mario. "Interviews: Chris Knight". Lone Star Music. Archived from the original on April 15, 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  6. ^ a b Lynch, Bill (July 17, 2013). "Chris Knight makes music on his terms". Charleston Gazette, The (WV). Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  7. ^ Nichols, Patrick (July 20, 2006). "Album Review: Chris Knight, Enough Rope". this is texas music. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  8. ^ Frazier, Chip (September 21, 2012). "Chris Night - Small Victories". Twangville. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  9. ^ Dickens, Tad (November 16, 2009). "Chris Knight has won over fans". Roanoke Times, The (VA). {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ Chancellor, Jennifer (September 14, 2010). "Chris Knight sets Cain's Ballroom show date". Tulsa World (OK). {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  11. ^ Dauphin, Chuck (September 21, 2012). "Chris Knight Scores 'Little Victories,' First Album in 4 Years". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  12. ^ Shelburne, Criag (September 21, 2012). "Chris Knight Takes Pride in Little Victories". CMT Edge. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  13. ^ Harrison, Alan (September 20, 2012). "CD Review - Chris Knight "Little Victories"". No Depression. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  14. ^ "CMT : Videos : Chris Knight : In the Mean Time". Country Music Television. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  15. ^ "Chris Knight : American Elements". CarbonTV. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
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