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American singer-songwriter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Chris Knight | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Chris Knight |
Born | St Louis, Missouri United States | June 24, 1960
Genres | Rock Folk rock Country rock Americana |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
Years active | 1998–present |
Labels | Decca Dualtone Drifter's Church Productions |
Website | www |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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 |
|
67 | — | — | — | |
Enough Rope |
|
— | — | 49 | 48 | |
The Trailer Tapes |
|
68 | — | 40 | — | |
Heart of Stone |
|
37 | — | 7 | 31 | |
Trailer II |
|
64 | — | — | — | |
Little Victories |
|
25 | 148 | 4 | 33 |
|
Almost Daylight |
|
— | — | 3 | 12 |
|
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
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 |
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 |
In 2015, Chris Knight was featured in Season 1, Episode 2 of CarbonTV's original series, American Elements.[23]
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