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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 WV-HEDW Soccer Club in Amsterdam (February 2, 2007)
Chris Knight at WV-HEDW Soccer Club in Amsterdam (February 2, 2007)
Background information
Birth nameChris Knight
Born (1960-06-24) June 24, 1960 (age 64)
St Louis, Missouri
United States
GenresRock
Folk rock
Country rock
Americana
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Years active1998–present
LabelsDecca
Dualtone
Drifter's Church Productions
Websitewww.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

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Early life

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Knight was born in St. Louis, Missouri,[3] and 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.[4]

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.[5] In an interview, Knight commented "At one point I could play probably 35–40 John Prine songs."[6]

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.[7]

Music career

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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.[8]

Nashville

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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.[5]

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[8] on 90 acres (36 ha) in Slaughters when the album was released.[5] 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

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Knight is well known and because of his particular fame in Texas, was named an "Honorary Texan" in 2006 by Texas Governor Rick Perry.[9]

Early releases

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He recorded his first demo tapes, bootlegged—and then self-released—while living alone in a trailer on his property outside Slaughters.[10] Called The Trailer Tapes, they were officially released in 2007.[11] They were one of his best-selling records.[12]

Little Victories

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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."[13] Long-time musical hero John Prine sings on the title track.[14] Buddy Miller plays guitar and sings on two tracks: "Missing You" and "Nothing on Me."[15]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US Country
[16] 		US
[17] 		US
Heat
[18] 		US
Indie
[19]
Chris Knight — — — —
A Pretty Good Guy — — — —
The Jealous Kind
  • Release date: August 19, 2003
  • Label: Dualtone Records
 67 — — —
Enough Rope — — 49 48
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
Almost Daylight
  • Release date: October 11, 2019
  • Label: Drifter's Church
 — — 3 12
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

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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

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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"[22] James Weems

Songs written or co-written by Knight

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Television appearances

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In 2015, Chris Knight was featured in Season 1, Episode 2 of CarbonTV's original series, American Elements.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lonesome Highway lines up a treat with Kentucky Chris". Edinburgh Evening News. January 19, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 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 October 24, 2013.
  3. ^ shane e. calhoon (February 1, 2017), chris knight 2011 09 30 st louis, mo, archived from the original on December 15, 2021, retrieved March 20, 2017
  4. ^ Mayshark, Jesse Fox (September–October 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 October 24, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Wahlert, Brian. "Chris Knight – Biography – All Music". Allmusic.com. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  6. ^ "Chris Knight interview & three tracks from Almost Daylight". Americana Music Show. September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  7. ^ Tarradell, Mario. "Interviews: Chris Knight". Lone Star Music. Archived from the original on April 15, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Lynch, Bill (July 17, 2013). "Chris Knight makes music on his terms". Charleston Gazette, The (WV). Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  9. ^ Nichols, Patrick (July 20, 2006). "Album Review: Chris Knight, Enough Rope". this is texas music. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  10. ^ Frazier, Chip (September 21, 2012). "Chris Night – Small Victories". Twangville. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  11. ^ Dickens, Tad (November 16, 2009). "Chris Knight has won over fans". Roanoke Times, The (VA).
  12. ^ Chancellor, Jennifer (September 14, 2010). "Chris Knight sets Cain's Ballroom show date". Tulsa World (OK).
  13. ^ Dauphin, Chuck (September 21, 2012). "Chris Knight Scores 'Little Victories,' First Album in 4 Years". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  14. ^ Shelburne, Craig (September 21, 2012). "Chris Knight Takes Pride in Little Victories". CMT Edge. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  15. ^ Harrison, Alan (September 20, 2012). "CD Review – Chris Knight "Little Victories"". No Depression. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  16. ^ "Chris Knight > Chart History > Top Country Albums". Billboard.
  17. ^ "Chris Knight > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Chris Knight > Chart History > Heatseekers Albums". Billboard.
  19. ^ "Chris Knight > Chart History > Independent Albums". Billboard.
  20. ^ Bjorke, Matt (September 19, 2019). "Chart News For September 19 2012: A "Tornado" of Success For Little Big Town". RoughStock. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  21. ^ Bjorke, Matt (October 21, 2019). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: October 21, 2019". RoughStock. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "CMT : Videos : Chris Knight : In the Mean Time". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  23. ^ "Chris Knight : American Elements". CarbonTV. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
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