Biography

Chris Knox is a husband, father, and friend who also happens to love business and love music. As a talented and progressive drummer/musician with a wide musical vocabulary, Chris has a unique and distinguished style that adds a positive vibe to all genres of music. Since receiving his Bachelor of Music Business degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, Chris has worked as a musician and/or business consultant for local and national recording artists. Chris has also completed stadium/arena tours where he had the opportunity to play with artists like Gateway Worship, CeCe Winans, Matthew West, and Sheila Walsh.

He has shared the stage with artists such as Paul Brown, Freddy Rodriguez, Everette Harp, Myron Butler, Angela Blair, Harold Rayford, LaDelle Walker, Tim Clifton, Joel McCray, Tamela Mann, and Demetrious McClendon, to name a few. He has also worked with some of the best producers and engineers in the world including Grammy Award Winning Engineer Tim Kimsey. Chris is an endorser of Vic Firth Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Gibraltar Hardware, 1964 In-Ears, Presonus, Kick-Port, and Phatfoot drum products.

Originally from San Antonio, TX, Chris has been around music all his life. Growing up, Chris’ father, a lead guitar player, had a home studio and multiple jazz bands. Chris started to play drums at the age of 14 and was initially taught the fundamentals of music, drums, reading, and theory by his father. At the age of 16, he began taking private lessons at Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop in preparation to join the Judson High school jazz band. Chris was offered a job to teach after only 6 months of lessons! He taught lessons there for about 2.5 years, with as many as 30+ students per week, until he was preparing to start college.

Chris continued his education at San Antonio College studying music under Alice Gomez. There he played drums for their top jazz band which primarily focused on Latin Jazz. This experience allowed him to develop an authentic Latin Jazz musical vocabulary. It also allowed touring in the southern region of the US as well as in Mexico.

After Chris’ tenure at San Antonio College, he transferred to The University of Texas at Arlington where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business in 2004. There he played in marching and jazz bands. He studied under Dr. Michael Varner, Ed Stephan, and Jeff Ausdemore. The Music side of the degree developed proficiencies in all areas of percussion including drumset, rudimental snare, concert snare, marimba, and timpani. It also developed proficiencies in recording techniques, music theory, aural training, music form and analysis, and music history. The business side of the degree developed areas such as business law, marketing, radio production, and industry specifics like royalty computation, licensing, music publishing, etc…

Not only is Chris a dynamic musician but an astute businessman. While in college Chris began his career as a full-time professional musician/consultant. Shortly after interning for Hidden Beach Records (Sony Affiliate), he began working for LW Records. His successes with LW Records allowed him to attain the General Manager position. Musically he contributed to the label playing for numerous artists on the roster. Business-wise he was vital in developing the label to a higher level where they were offered a national distribution deal. Chris was offered a percentage of ownership in the label.

He was the GM/CFO of Forbeyon Design Studio (www.forbeyon.com). During Chris’ first year as General Manager (2006), he helped the company attain an exponential 181% growth in revenue as well as a 123% growth in client base. They had increased by over 600% in revenue and client base when Chris left in late 2009. They are a multi-million dollar organization that has clients in more than 10 countries and has been featured in the industry's top trade publications. Forbeyon’s success is still growing today.

Chris was a part of the executive team of Artists Boot Camp (ABC). ABC is an artist development company that exists to develop well-rounded, fully equipped musical artists that impact the local, regional, and national music industry and maximize their potential to realize their personal goals and dreams. The program empowers artists by covering topics like music business mgmt, publishing, recording, songwriting techniques, stage performance, vocal coaching, and financial planning to name a few.

Chris helped launch the Worship Leadership Degree plan for The King’s University. This initially started as a 2-year associate's degree program and grew to become a 4-year bachelor's degree program. During his tenure there, Chris was an adjunct professor primarily teaching private lessons. He was also a guest lecturer teaching an introduction to ProTools. Chris also helped launch the Worship Team Academy for Gateway Church. This is a comprehensive music and worship education program that would take students with zero experience to a place where they could develop their skills and participate on a worship team in a relatively short amount of time. These courses include traditional rhythm section instruments like bass, drums, piano, guitar, and vocals. Chris’ role included everything from content/curriculum development, in-class teaching, instructor training, and audio/video production.

In 2017, he began his role as the director of the Music and Youth program for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County. This role gave Chris a unique opportunity to give back, working with youth and giving them exposure and access to real-world music experiences. Chris designed and oversaw the program implementation strategy and worked hands-on with the participants. He also trained the staff on traditional and commercial music best practices in the areas of music education, production, recording studio techniques, instrumental development, and music industry career planning. This is a growing program with two “Music Clubhouse” locations that have instruments, practice rooms, and recording studios. 

Currently, Chris has shifted part of his focus toward the financial industry. He is a licensed stockbroker and financial advisor for JPMorgan Chase helping clients from all over the country with their investment needs. He loves day trading and has experienced tremendous gains in his personal portfolio using options strategies. He also runs his companies Transition Center Music (TCM) and EPH Investments (EPH). 

TCM offers Strategic Planning services specializing in helping organizations and individuals define their goals, develop an implementation strategy, and execute the plan. This can look like basic consulting through management with artists/producers like Steven J Collins and everything in between. TCM also offers products and services that bridge the gap between traditional education systems and real-world experiences/applications. Chris' DVD Transitioning from Drummer to Musician was the first product released.

EPH is a real estate investment company that buys and sells properties and specializes in out-of-the-box strategies to help people while maximizing profitability. 

Occasionally, Chris still plays for multiple artists and ministries, doing session work, clinics, and teaching private lessons to numerous students including some of the most talked-about up-and-coming prodigy drummers. He was also a part of the Gateway Church worship team as a musician and educator. 

Chris Knox brings a balance of musicianship, business, organizational development, and integrity that is extraordinary and rare. He is an asset to every organization he has been a part of and is always looking for more opportunities to network and contribute to people’s development and success. Chris’ immense musical ability, interpersonal/networking skills, professionalism, and ability to be a resource constantly keep him busy working and in the public eye.

Chris gives special thanks to his wonderful wife Erika and daughter Cadence for all of their love and support.

 

 

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