CD cover photo by Christopher Record.

Rusty Knox is a familiar face on Main Street, and many folks know him from his day job at Knox Real Estate. He’s also a guitarist and songwriter. On Saturday, Jan. 10, from 8-11 p.m., he’ll play at Summit Coffee to celebrate the release of his new CD “Reason Why.” DavidsonNews.net’s David Boraks talked with Rusty about the recording, about life in Davidson and how that’s reflected in his new songs.

(Click the play button to start. Can’t see the button or hear the interview? CLICK HERE>)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(MP3 format, 4 min. 53 sec.; with additional music, 5:40)
Background music includes portions of “Drink of Rain,” “Reason Why” and “Paradise Lost,” all from the album “Reason Why,” by Rusty Knox.

MORE ABOUT RUSTY KNOX AND ‘REASON WHY’

“Reason Why” consists of 11 original songs, recorded in 2008 at Tree O Studios in Nashville. Musicians: Rusty Knox, rhythm guitar and vocals; Michael Orlando, mandolin and mando-cello; Tim Carter, banjo; Danny Reid Carter, lead guitar; and Ross Sermons, bass. The cover photo is from  Christopher Record’s 2008 “Faces of Davidson” project, and the back cover photo is by Deborah Young Photography. It’s available at Paperillly, Summit Cofee, The Village Store, or directly from Rusty at Knox Realty. Listen to more online at Rusty’s MySpace page, www.myspace.com/rustyknoxmusic.

DavidsonNews.net asked Rusty for a biography. Here’s what he told us about himself:

“I am a native son of Davidson. I was born in Joanna, S.C., while my Dad was finishing school at Presbyterian College after returning from the Korean War. We moved back to Davidson when I was about a year and a half old. I grew up during a simpler time in Davidson.

“My first and only guitar lesson came in the basement of Dan and Ethel Rhodes’ home on Virginia Avenue. Their oldest son, Truscott was my teacher. “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens had just come out. I watched as Truscott listened to it and played it back, almost to a note. I was hooked from that point on. Truscott passed away, tragically, before I ever took a second lesson. I was left listening to the music I liked and figuring out how to play it on my own.

“I continued to play through high school and Pfeiffer College, where I met a wide range of guitarists that broadened my abilities. I played for the next 25 years in the house, mostly to my three sons, hence the name of the CD “Reason Why” and the title track which is dedicated to them.

“I first played out about 5 years ago at a Tsunami relief event at Summit Coffee. I was scared to death, just playing, no singing involved. Gradually, I became more comfortable playing and singing. I started putting lyrics to music, all based on my life and its happenings. The music that I write is stuff that I feel anyone can identify with. I’m not into intricate lyrics, just life and how it evolves.

“I currently work at Knox Realty which my mother Pat and father Russell founded in 1973. My sons Trey (of Ketchum, Idahho), Tyler (Davidson) and Tucker (Ft.Collins, Colo.), all play guitar. I currently live with my wife of two years, Danielle, and children, Jacob (9) and Kamryn (6). They don’t play the guitar yet, but are my biggest groupies.”