Lonnie Knight-vocal and guitar
Occasionally Reid Papke-bass
Influences
Everything from Bert Jansch to Jeff Beck to Joni Mitchell... Lawrence Block to Larry McMurtry to Douglas Adams... Dean Carr to David Hanners to Bill Hammond to Ken Duvio to Jeff Dayton to every amazing player/write/singer I've known... Mom and Dad to two-day drives through summer snow storms... Whiskey and brandy to no whiskey and no brandy...
“When he sings of ‘major truths in minor keys’… we know not only what he means, but how he feels.”
– critic Scott Alarik writing about Lonnie Knight
Singer-songwriter Lonnie Knight may joke that “Legendary is just another way of saying ‘...been around a long time,’” but the lanky Minnesotan is one of those rare musicians who has truly earned the title Legendary. He got his start as a folkie, learning from the likes of Townes Van Zandt. Then he played in some of the Midwest’s seminal rock bands, including Jokers Wild, the Nielsen-White Band and the Hoopsnakes. His 2005 CD Better Days brought him back to his acoustic roots, and the release of 2007’s tour de force, I Wrote My Name on You, his music is inspiring a whole new generation of fans.
Knight has long been known as a stellar guitar player – he’s won several Minnesota Music Awards for “best guitarist” – and his playing has been likened to Richard Thompson, Patty Larkin, Bert Jansch and Brooks Williams. But his great songwriting also comes to the fore in his recent releases, and his songs reveals a gifted artist getting his second creative wind.
He first picked up the guitar at the age of 12, and discovered it was something he was better than most at. He was working as a studio musician at Minneapolis’ Sound 80 Recording Studio and touring nationally on the Bitter End College Coffeehouse circuit when the late producer George Hanson (Leo Kottke, Art Resnick, Robin & Linda Williams) took a liking to his music and produced his first two albums, Family in the Wind and Song for a City Mouse.
In the 1980s, Knight joined up with acclaimed songwriter Mark Henley to form the Knight-Henley Band. They became producers for WrenSong Publishing in Nashville, and that led him to stints playing with Wild Horses and the Nielsen-White Band. The ‘90s saw Knight joining the famed Hoopsnakes, founded by Bruce McCabe. In the latter part of the decade, he signed with Aquarium Records, which released his CD Big Shoes in 1999 and Cain’s Blood in 2001. He moved to Mosquito Shoals Records in 2005, releasing Better Days, and that was followed in 2007 by I Wrote My Name on You.
His CDs are available at LonnieKnight.com, CDBaby.com, through Apple I-Tunes and many other physical and virtual locations throughout the world.
His fingers haven’t slowed down a bit, and neither has his playing schedule. Recent and upcoming venues include Ginkgo Coffeehouse in St. Paul, the Bayfront Blues Fest, Lil Fest, Bill's Blues in Chicago, Café Carpe, and the Torrey Music Festival.
I'm going to Balls this Saturday to help out in another episode of "Ask Ross Higgins." If you're there be ready to ask away. Bring eye drops because you'll no doubt want to roll your eyes at some of Mr. Higgin's answers. All questions, of course, are above reproach.
Great to hear your tunes last night as I sat hiding in a booth sketching. The music was very inspirational and I completed two scenes for the series of paintings I'm doing for our CD. So, thanks for that. It was a nice surprise to see Lori and Brad as well. Your new guitar sounded great! Thanks for the tunes on that rainy night in Minneapolis. Patti~ Inukshuk Pass
its been great hearing you at the Coffee Grounds open stages! Thanks to for the opportunity to be on your show. It was great fun but nerve wracking for a newbie like me. It is really inspiring that you give folks an outlet for their music.
Thank you so very much for friendship and your kind words. It's passionate musicians and music lovers like you that inspire us to do what we do. You Rock! Your friend, The Ramblin Dawgs. Keep Rockin the Blues! And visit us often or else the crazy dancing cat on our page will come after you....Come back to NJ soon.
I had a great birthday week, Lonnie. Thank you for your skill and friendship. Ok, your jokes too. And the microphones. But if you think you can steal Michi, you're nuts.
Lonnie we love you at Jar's Pub in Second Life and looking forward to your set on on Tuesday 3/17 @ 6pmSLT! Gifted voice, professional demeanor, and so good to work with! Thanks! ~Indy & Jar
Hey Lonnie, It was so nice to see you on Sunday...it's been too long! If you ever come back closer to the cities with your show, It'd be a pleasure to help announce. We're planning on making the 3 Crows show...and hopefully will have Mira along. She misses all you guys. See you again soon! Jen
