SHORT BIO

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kellie Lin Knott is a versatile performer known for her expressive guitar work, warm stage presence, and songs that are both playful and deeply human.

Kellie toured as guitarist for Dar Williams in 2022 and is currently a touring member of Beth Nielsen Chapman’s U.S. band. As a side musician — who sometimes doubles as a road manager — she performs on guitar, keys, and vocals.

Her debut full-length album was featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered and earned recognition from the International Songwriting Competition, the International Acoustic Music Awards, and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase, as well as inclusion on a “Best of Boston” compilation.

During the pandemic livestream era, Kellie became a key creative partner in the online concert world, producing and running virtual shows for artists including Susan Werner, Jonatha Brooke, Curtis Stigers, and many others. 

Alongside her musical career, Kellie explores the intersection of creativity, mindfulness, and practice. Drawing on her background as a yoga and mindfulness teacher, she believes that practice — of music or anything meaningful — can become a joyful form of meditation and a powerful way to move through doubt and creative blocks.

“Somewhere along the way I realized that what I love just as much as writing songs is practice itself,” says Kellie.

“Practice is a place where we can show up, pay attention, and slowly transform what we believe about ourselves and our potential.”

In addition to continuing to write new music and expand her musical horizons, Kellie recently launched and hosts The Practice Pool — a series of 15-minute live group focus sessions designed to help people experience the momentum and joy of regular practice in a supportive community.

In 2024, Kellie was named one of three featured finalists at the National Women’s Music Festival in Madison, Wisconsin.

Her latest full-length release, The World Awake (2016), is a reflective song cycle exploring love, resilience, and renewal.

VIDEOS

The Dream (live at the Sellersville Theater) – words/music by Kellie Lin Knott with additional words by Paul Mutzabaugh

How Can I Survive? – words/music by Kellie Lin Knott

MENTIONS

“….a knack for words and voice to match….Her style is enthusiastic, yet never overpowering….sings and plays and writes for all she’s worth, which is quite a lot.” International Acoustic Music Awards Featured Artist, September 30, 2004

“Over deft, breezy instrumentation, her vocals sound splendidly assured….lyrics of considerable wit….and no little wisdom. More succinctly: wow!” Bryan A. Hollerbach, Contributing Editor, Playback St. Louis

“….perhaps the best moment is on Knott’s “Bring On The Rain,” a powerful ballad about a young woman asking for trouble so she can become a stronger person….” Rodeo Rob, Staff Writer, www.nudeasthenews.com

“I’m not surprised by how effortless and polished this album is, (COMFORTABLE). Kellie Lin is as creative as spring rains.” Ira MacDonald, Founder, Grand Marais Songfest,MI

“the best on the bill is 24 year old Kellie Lin Knott, whose voice leaps around like Joni Mitchell’s on “Another Verse”, a song about love that manages to refer to Hemingway, Debussy, and Monet without being pretentious. Knott started singing with her father’s Top-40 bar band when she was 8, and by now she’s a mature singer-storyteller. She shows her gifts on “The Usual”, set in a restaurant where a customer orders “the usual” as a way to “save my voice.” This seems to become a metaphor of regret for a life not going anywhere – and then the song turns out, instead, wondrously, to be about gratitude for a life with certainty. How’s that for insight at 24?” Alan Rosenburg, Providence Journal

“…This is the total package – great writer, sweet, sultry vocals and a very well developed guitar player. You’ll be glad you took the time to hear this up and comer!” Brian Wheeler, Marblehead, MA Festival of Arts

“She’s a great guitarist. Her songs are the ones that tend to stick in your head for days afterwards. And her voice – sweet and powerful and able to convey a range of emotions….great stage presence…” Meredith Tarr, House O’Muzak, CT

“At a very tender age, Kellie Lin has the chops and demeanor of a seasoned professional. A powerful guitar player with a sweet voice, she is destined to turn heads wherever she appears. A must see show!” Wayne Hamilton, Just Plain Folks

“…material draws from keen observation, insight and compassion….her voice commands authority.” John Noyd, Maximum Ink Music Magazine

“…Kellie Lin stands out as one of the best. Only a few study the craft of songwriting and take their songs to where the potential exists. Kellie is one of those few superbly skilled songwriters. She takes her songs to that level.” Joe Schreifels, thesongcrafters.com

“…beautiful voice, masterful guitar playing and lyrics…I’ve been torn between my hunger for hearing the emotion with which she imbues the performance of her music and my overwhelming desire to sing along.” Chuck Ellingson, Cream City Chorus, Milwaukee, WI

“…one of the most confident performers I’ve seen. Her voice soars effortlessly carrying her from crooning chanteuse to sultry vixen. Combine that with unbelievable guitar chops and expect your eyes to be glued to the stage. It’s obvious she loves what she’s doing, and you will too.” Stolie, Bloodshot Records, Chicago, IL

“…Kellie Lin is a creative songwriter, and a talented guitarist, employing a variety of musical influences and digging deep into the mechanics of altered tunings, weaving stories of social and personal issues alike, and not losing her sense of humor in the process.” Bob Jensen, Ginkgo Coffeehouse & folkrock.com, St. Paul, MN