Chris Knight at The Courtyard Theater

Knight grew up in the mining town of Slaughters, Kentucky. When he was three years old, he asked for a plastic guitar for Christmas. At 15, however, he became serious and began teaching himself John Prine songs on his older brother’s guitar.

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. 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. He attracted the interest of 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 lived in a house trailer on 90 acres in Slaughters when the album was released. He has since become a major name in the alternative country music genre.

He only recently came to national attention, but has written songs for Confederate Railroad, John Anderson, and Randy Travis among others. He is best known 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” by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Chris Knight will be at the Plano Courtyard Theater, September 5th for the Courtyard Music Series. You can pick up your tickets here.