by MATT HUGHES
J-E News Editor
When the Annual Providence Uptown Fall Festival kicks off this Saturday, it will feature live music from a pair of local musicians. Cousins Ben and Chris Knight will split time on the stage between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Slaughters native Chris Knight’s story isn’t your typical singer/song writer story. He didn’t start writing songs until he was 26 and did not start performing until he was 30. He signed his first record deal at the age of 37.
Although quite popular as a singer, especially in Texas, where he was named an “Honorary Texan” in 2006 by Texas Governor Rick Perry, Chris is possibly more known as a song writer. Acts to have recorded his music include: Randy Travis, Gary Allan, John Anderson, Confederate Railroad and Blake Shelton.
“Don’t get the chance to perform in Webster County very often,” Chris said. “Just every now and then.”
The biggest hit Chris penned, however, was She Couldn’t Change Me, which was recorded by fellow Kentuckians Montgomery Gentry. Released in February of 2001, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Montgomery Gentry’s highest peaking crossover songs. Billboard named it the #7 country song of 2001.
“Having them record that song was great,” he said. “It was nice that we kept it all here in the region, and I think they did a great job with it.”
Chris will be stopping in Webster County between a stop at the Knott County Trail Rides, where he will perform with country legend Earl Thomas Conley on October 10, and four shows in four days in the cities of Greensboro, NC; Ashland, VA; Washington D.C.; and Brooklyn, NY.
“It’s going to be an acoustic show,” Chris said about the upcoming performance. “I’ll be playing a little bit of everything, but if you want rock ‘n’ roll, you better go somewhere else.”
Chris Knight will be on stage at the Uptown Fall Festival from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Leading the show from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. is Chris’ cousin Ben Knight, another Webster County native.
“To me, it’s all about the live show,” Ben says on his website. “I think that’s what drew me to music in the first place — the electricity in the room at a really good live show.”
Ben is currently on tour with his band Ben Knight & The Well Diggers.
As usual the Providence Uptown Fall Festival and it’s entertainment is sponsored by the Providence Tourism Commission and is free to the public. The event will also feature carnival foods, vendors, bouncy houses, face painting and a free afternoon hayride.
Schedule of events:
•10:00 a.m. - Tackle Town Hill 5K run/walk.
10:00 a.m. - Cruise-In
Noon - Pumpkin Painting Contest (free)
•Noon - 5:00 p.m. - Balloon Guy (free)
•1:00 p.m. Halloween Costume Contest (free)
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