Tag: Chris Knight

Mixtape: Wyatt McCubbin’s Songs to Fill a Songwriter’s Cup

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These are a few of the songs I run to when I need to go back to the well. They inspire me to be more creative, honest and authentic because that’s exactly what they are. These songs also belong to some of the most important songwriters who have ever lived.

“I’m Leavin’ Now” – Johnny Cash & Merle Haggard

This song kicks off with my ol’ pal, Marty Stuart, playin’ the flattop guitar. I love songs that still have energy without needing huge productions. Don’t get no cooler than Cash & The Hag.

“Satellite Radio” – Steve Earle

Steve Earle is such a North Star for me and my music. He has always pushed the envelope and made such creative records throughout his career. This album (Washington Square Serenade) and this song are proof of that.

“Pontiac” – Travis Meadows

Travis Meadows is such a hero of mine. I have turned to his records a lot throughout my career. This song makes me feel 16.

“Best of All Possible Worlds” – Kris Kristofferson

“If booze was just a dime a bottle, boy, you couldn’t even buy the smell.” KRISTOFFERSON. Enough said.

“That’s Life” – Paul Thorn

I’ve heard Paul Thorn say in interviews that this song was inspired by a list of things he heard his mom say. There is so much simple wisdom in this one. Makes me want to call home and just let Mom talk.

“Leaving Souvenirs” – Chris Knight

I found Chris Knight’s music in the darkest time of my life. His albums The Trailer Tapes and Trailer II changed my life and made me want to lean into writing songs about what I was going through. This one is still hard for me to listen to, but I love it so much.

“I Need You” – Tony Lane

You’ve heard this song before, but maybe not this version… This is the incredible Tony Lane. The writer behind so many of country music’s coolest hits. He has been one of my biggest inspirations for years now.

“East Houston Blues” – Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell is the king of uptempo grooves in my opinion. “East Houston Blues” is just pure grit and swagger.

“Stuff That Works” – Guy Clark

I heard this song at a bonfire jam when I was 14 years old. I’ve been hooked on Guy Clark ever since. I am a fan of simple songs and this one hits that nail right on the head.

“Who’ll Buy My Memories” – Willie Nelson

It would be impossible for me to build a playlist around songwriters and not include Willie Nelson. This is easily one of my favorites from the Red Headed Stranger.

Photo Credit: Evan Harney

BGS 5+5: Charles Wesley Godwin

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Artist: Charles Wesley Godwin
Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia
Latest Album: How the Mighty Fall
Personal nicknames: Chuck

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do those impact your work?

I live in the hills of West Virginia. I’m in the woods every day of my life when I’m home. This is the setting for all of my work thus far. This place is a part of everything that I do whether I know it or not. I believe it gives me peace and a different type of rest as well. There’s a type of rest that I believe we all need that has nothing to do with laying down or the amount of sleep that we get. It’s just being out there wherever you may be where the world is still the way it was 10,000 years ago. Phone calls can’t reach you, texts don’t come in and there ain’t nothing to check on except whatever it is that you’re doing or thinking about at that moment. I get that kind of rest when I’m hunting, scouting for deer, fishing, or hiking.

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

I remember I’d just played my first gig ever for a lingerie fashion show in Tartu, Estonia, while I was studying abroad. I got handed 150 euros after the show was done and I thought to myself, “Oh my God. I’ve figured it all out. This is the best job in the world. This is what I’m going to do.” Drinks were on me that night.

What’s the toughest time you ever had writing a song?

“Coal Country” was a bear for me. The subject matter of that song is such a tender subject that I had to absolutely think through every little piece of every single idea I had about “coal.” I had to make absolutely sure I knew exactly what I felt and why. It was painstaking to write that song. I think it took about two months and I was working on it in some form or fashion just about every day. I believe it improved my songwriting ability considerably going through that one.

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

My favorite memory is Kathy Mattea (the queen of West Virginia country music) calling me out onto the Mountain Stage to perform at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia. It was one of the purest feelings of joy in my life. I’ll never forget it and it’ll always be one of the milestones that I’m most proud of.

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

Ok, what pops up in my head immediately is a Chris Knight show at The Hamilton in Washington, DC (real fancy spot) and that night on the menu they serve venison backstrap, garden green beans, morel mushrooms, and mashed potatoes with ramps. Bulleit bourbon old fashioneds are the cocktail for the night. I’d go into debt for a show like that.

Photo Credit: Harry Ilyer

WATCH: Chris Knight, “I’m William Callahan”

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Artist: Chris Knight
Hometown: Slaughters, Kentucky
Song: “I’m William Callahan” (Niangua Coffee Sessions)
Album: Almost Daylight
Label: Thirty Tigers

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘William Callahan’ with a friend of mine, Tim Krekel. We both were staff writers for Bluewater Music then. We wrote it and went on to the next song. I pulled the song back out before Almost Daylight and rewrote some lines and completely changed the melody. It’s probably my favorite song on the album now.” — Chris Knight

“While we were in Kentucky filming Chris’ recent music videos, we decided to take some time one afternoon and film a few live performances behind Chris’ barn. The acoustic performances turned out to be some of the most intimate, raw songs we’ve ever captured.” — Nathaniel Maddux, Slate & Glass, director

Photo credit: Ray Kennedy

WATCH: Chris Knight, “Crooked Mile”

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Artist: Chris Knight
Hometown: Slaughters, Kentucky
Song: “Crooked Mile”
Album: Almost Daylight
Release Date: October 11, 2019
Label: Thirty Tigers

In Their Words: “I wrote this song with a friend of mine, Gary Nicholson. Carried a verse and a half around for about a year before we worked on it. Wrote it two or three times then I rewrote the chorus that worked for me. It was the same idea, I just changed the way I said it. It’s about a couple of kids that never had much love or anything else. Then they found something good in each other and they’ll fight to the death for it.” — Chris Knight

Photo credit: Ray Kennedy