Chris Knight comes from a working-class background, just like the characters in his songs. Knight writes about the particular breed of violence and desperation one might encounter in small-town America ย sad stories about truckers, battered women and barroom miscreants. But even city folk can relate to the feelings of loss and heartache expressed in lyrics like, ยWhy did I do the things I do / Was I born this way? / Am I a self-made fool?ย With his raw, aching style, heยs touring on the heels of the recent release of Trailer Tapes, which he recorded in his Kentucky trailer in 1996 just before getting signed. The living room recordings, thought by many to be his best work, sat in a vault for ten years before finally being released a few months ago, and fans are anxious to hear the tunes live.
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2007.