Published: July 21, 2008 09:43 am            

Chris Knight joins Blackfoot

Country artist added to Friday line-up; Wednesday night gospel acts named

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Country artist Chris Knight has been added to the Nibroc concert lineup for Friday, Aug. 15, and two gospel acts have been named for the Wednesday concert.

Knight hails from the coal mining community of Slaughters, Ky., where he worked in land reclamation before trying his hand at song writing and performing.

In his 1997 self-titled debut album, Knight received comparisons to Steve Earle and John Prine. He has since released five more albums, most recently the upcoming “Heart of Stone,” which has been compared to the early Bruce Springsteen sound of “Nebraska.”

His sound isn’t hugely different from that of Texas artist Ryan Bingham, whom Knight replaces in the Nibroc lineup. Bingham was called back to the studio, according to organizers, and had to cancel his Corbin performance.

Knight will perform Friday with southern rock band Blackfoot, who appeared during the 2006 festival.

This year, the gospel concert has been moved to Central Baptist Church, at the corner of Fourth Street and Kentucky Avenue. The Disneys and Greater Vision will perform at the church beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Locals artists, The Disneys, formerly known as Sean Disney & Higher Praise, include Sean, his wife Angie and their friend Valerie Johnson. The Disneys previously performed during the 2006 Nibroc festival.

Based in Morristown, Tenn., Greater Vision is one of the most awarded trios in Gospel Music. The group was formed in 1990 by Gerald Wolfe, who sings lead. Rodney Griffin is baritone and tenor Jason Waldroup, who is leaving to pursue a college education, was recently replaced by 24-year-old Jacob Kitson of Gaylord, Mich.

The Southern Gospel Music Association has awarded Greater Vision with Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Video of the Year, among many other awards.

Southern rock group The Outlaws will perform Thursday, Aug. 14 and the headline act for Saturday’s concert will be southern rock group .38 Special, best known for the hit, “Hold On Loosely.”

Economic Development Director and Nibroc organizer Bruce Carpenter declined to comment on the additions to the lineup, citing contractual obligations. The bands are, however, listed on the Corbin Economic Development Agency’s Web site and the artists’ Web sites.

        

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