Jennifer Knapp

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Jennifer Knapp
Jennifer Knapp performing live at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Feb 20, 2010
Jennifer Knapp performing live at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Feb 20, 2010
Background information
Born (1974-04-12) April 12, 1974 (age 50)
OriginChanute, Kansas, U.S.
GenresFolk rock, Christian rock
Years active1994–2003, 2009–present
LabelsGotee, EMI CMG, Graylin, ThirtyTigers/RED, Righteous Babe
Websitewww.jenniferknapp.com

Jennifer Lynn Knapp (born April 12, 1974) is an American-Australian[1] folk rock, and contemporary Christian musician.[2] She is best known for her first single "Undo Me" from her debut album, Kansas (1998), and the song "A Little More" from her Grammy Award-nominated album, Lay It Down (2000). The Way I Am (2001), was also nominated for a Grammy. In total, the three albums have sold approximately 1 million copies. After taking a seven-year hiatus, Knapp announced in September 2009 that she was returning to music. On May 11, 2010, she released Letting Go with the single "Dive In". The album debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200 chart. Knapp's memoir Facing the Music (Howard Books / Simon & Schuster) and album Set Me Free (Righteous Babe Records) came out in October 2014.

Early life and Education[edit]

Knapp was born in Chanute, Kansas on April 12, 1974,[3] and was brought up irreligiously along with her twin sister Lori. Knapp's parents divorced when she was three and she spent an unhappy childhood with her remarried father until leaving home at 18.[4]

As a classically trained musician, Knapp played trumpet in high school and attended Pittsburg State University on a music scholarship.[5] It was there that she converted to Christianity and eventually incorporated spiritual themes into her music.[5][6]

From there, Knapp began performing throughout the Midwest, selling her two independent albums at shows. Her second album, Wishing Well, attracted the attention of Nashville label Gotee Records, who signed her the following year.[5]

Musical career[edit]

1998-2002: Kansas, Lay It Down, The Way I Am, and The Collection[edit]

Kansas (1998), Knapp's critically acclaimed debut release, eventually sold over 500,000 copies, becoming Gold-certified by the RIAA.[7] She began touring America, singing primarily in churches but also performing at festivals such as the 1999 Lilith Fair.[8] She won Dove Awards in 1999 for New Artist of the Year and Rock Song of the Year for "Undo Me".[9]

In 1999, she contributed vocals to Audio Adrenaline's cover of "It Is Well with My Soul".[10] An early studio version of “A Little More” from Lay It Down was featured on Sparrow Records' Listen Louder (1999).

Lay It Down, her 2000 release, garnered a nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album in the 2000 Grammy Awards.[11] In 2000, she toured with Third Day.[12]

The Way I Am was released in 2001[13]. Billboard called it "a project that easily ranks among the best Christian albums released in recent memory".[14] The album was nominated for a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album but lost to Third Day.[15] In 2002, Knapp toured with Jars of Clay and Shaun Groves on The Eleventh Hour Tour.[16][17]

2002-2008: Hiatus[edit]

On September 10, 2002, Knapp played her last concert of the year in Abilene, Texas.[18] Subsequently, Knapp went on hiatus,[19] which she later attributed to a stressful touring schedule.[20]

While Knapp was on hiatus, her record label continued to release albums of previously recorded music. The Collection was released in 2003. The first disc consisted of 15 previously released songs that had been selected based on votes from fans. The second disc contained demos and contributions to other artists' albums and compilations.[21][22]

On January 24, 2006, Gotee Records issued the live album Jennifer Knapp Live. On February 26, 2008, Gotee Records re-issued a 10th anniversary edition of Kansas with re-mastered and additional tracks, including "Jesus Loves Me (Wishing Well version)" and other tracks from her 2006 live album.[23]

2009-Present: Return to music[edit]

On August 28, 2009, Knapp's management confirmed to Patrol Magazine that she was working on new material.[24] On September 18, Knapp announced her plans to return to music on her website.[25] Knapp returned from her hiatus on September 24 with a concert at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, California. On February 4, 2010, Knapp announced that her new album, Letting Go, would be released on May 11. She also announced spring 2010 tour dates with Derek Webb and summer appearances on the revived Lilith Fair tour.[26]

In 2011, Jennifer launched Inside Out Faith, an advocacy organization for LGBT people of faith.[27] Through Inside Out Faith, Knapp speaks at churches and universities about her journey coming out to her faith community.[28]

In early 2014, Knapp began recording a new album in Nashville with producer Jacob Lawson.[29] The album Set Me Free was released on October 14, 2014, on Righteous Babe Records.[30]

Jennifer's memoir, Facing the Music: My Story, was released on Howard Books / Simon & Schuster on October 7, 2014.[31] Howard Books, an evangelical publisher, received some pushback for publishing Knapp's memoir;[32] however, Howard's VP and Publisher, Jonathan Merkh, stated that the company was not trying to take sides but simply "help [people] understand where someone may be coming from as they open up about their sexuality and their faith."[33]

In 2019, she announced she wanted to advocate for LGBT people of faith and would begin performing Christian music again.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Following the end of her 2002 tour, Knapp moved to Australia and has since taken up Australian citizenship.[1]

In simultaneous interviews with Christianity Today, Reuters, and The Advocate published on April 13, 2010, Knapp announced that she is a lesbian, and has been in a same-sex relationship since 2002.[20][34][35] She has said that her decision to leave the Christian music industry was not due solely to her coming out but to a number of factors including stress and burnout.[20] Despite criticisms based on her sexual orientation, Knapp says that she not only still holds to her progressive Christian faith, but feels that by being honest about her sexuality that her faith is actually enhanced.[1] However, she stated that Letting Go would not be marketed towards Christian radio.[20] The controversy surrounding her coming out made her the featured subject of an episode of Larry King Live, where she discussed her orientation and faith with Larry King, Bob Botsford, and Ted Haggard.[36]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

EPs[edit]

  • 2010: Evolving EP - Six tracks, five of which were later released on Letting Go

Live albums[edit]

  • 2006: Jennifer Knapp Live

Compilations[edit]

  • 2003: The Collection
  • 2004: 8 Great Hits
  • 1999: Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship

Singles[edit]

  • 1997: "Undo Me" – No. 1 CHR, No. 4 Rock
  • 1998: "Romans" – No. 1 CHR
  • 1999: "A Little More"
  • 2001: "Breathe on Me"

Charts[edit]

Album Year Chart Peak
position
Kansas 1998 US Christian Albums (Billboard)[37] 11
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[38] 21
Lay It Down 2000 US Christian Albums (Billboard)[37] 1
US Billboard 200[39] 77
The Way I Am 2001 US Christian Albums (Billboard)[37] 10
US Billboard 200[39] 130
The Collection 2004 US Christian Albums (Billboard)[37] 33
Letting Go 2010 US Folk Albums (Billboard)[40] 3
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[41] 15
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[42] 19
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[43] 25
US Billboard 200[39] 73
Love Comes Back Around 2017 US Independent Albums (Billboard)[41] 50

Certification for Kansas[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[44] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Collett, Michael (May 28, 2010). "It ain't easy being gay, Christian and famous". ABC News. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Blue, Luke Dani; Scherer, Logan; Colbert, Michael (June 17, 2019). "I Let Go of My Faith When I Came Out—But I Still Believe in Jennifer Knapp". Catapult. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Jones, Kim. "Jennifer Knapp". About.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  4. ^ "Layin' It Down". Cross rhythms. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c Jepson, Barbara (March 15, 2002). "Songs From a Christian With Attitude". The Wall Street Journal. pp. W10.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Roos, John (May 5, 2000). "A Touch of Mystery in Her Message". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Skanse, Richard (April 28, 1999). "Sarah McLachlan and Friends Announce Lineup for the Final Lilith Fair". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards on gmc". Dove awards. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  10. ^ DiBiase, John (August 16, 1999). "Audio Adrenaline, "Underdog" Review". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "43rd Annual GRAMMY Awards | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  12. ^ Anderson, Jamie J. (March 10, 2000). "JENNIFER KNAPP, THIRD DAY TESTING MAINSTREAM WATERS". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  13. ^ DiBiase, John (November 11, 2001). "Jennifer Knapp, "The Way I Am" Review". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "The Way I Am". Billboard. December 15, 2001. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "45th Annual GRAMMY Awards | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  16. ^ Horton, Greg. "CREATIVE CONTROL Jars of Clay stays committed to faith". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Jars of Clay to include Meridian in The Eleventh Hour' project". Franklin County Times. March 2, 2002. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Knapp, Jennifer (2014). "Chapter 17". Facing the Music: My Story. New York: Howard Books. ISBN 978-1-4767-5947-0.
  19. ^ Schmitt, Brad. "Ex-Christian music star Jennifer Knapp tells of coming out". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d "Jennifer Knapp Comes Out". Christianity Today. April 13, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  21. ^ Taylor, Josh (January 4, 2004). "Jennifer Knapp, The Collection" Review". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  22. ^ Widro, Jonathan (January 11, 2004). "Jennifer Knapp – The Collection Review". Inside Pulse. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  23. ^ "Kansas Gold Edition". About.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  24. ^ "Jennifer Knapp Starting to Write, Mgmt. Confirms". Patrol Magazine. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  25. ^ "Jennifer Knapp". Jennifer Knapp. May 11, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  26. ^ "Jennifer Knapp (@jennifer_knapp) on Twitter". Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  27. ^ "Inside Out Faith: About". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  28. ^ Peeples, Jase (October 20, 2014). "Jennifer Knapp: Christian, Lesbian, and Free". The Advocate. Here Media.
  29. ^ "Photos from the studio!". March 19, 2014. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  30. ^ "Jennifer Knapp righteousbabe". Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  31. ^ Knapp, Jennifer (August 13, 2014). Facing the Music. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781476759494. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  32. ^ "Jennifer Knapp makes a case for being gay and Christian in upcoming book". Washington Post. May 22, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  33. ^ "Christian book industry addresses 'gay Christian' controversy". Christian Retailing. September 3, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  34. ^ Goodman, Dean (April 13, 2010). "EXCLUSIVE – Christian Music Star Says She Is a Lesbian". Reuters. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  35. ^ Drabinski, Emily (April 13, 2010). "Christian Singer Jennifer Knapp Comes Out". The Advocate. Here Media. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  36. ^ "Is Jennifer Knapp the Brave Christian Lesbian We've Been Waiting For? (Larry King VIDEO)". Autostraddle. April 25, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  37. ^ a b c d "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  38. ^ "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  39. ^ a b c "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  40. ^ "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  41. ^ a b "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  42. ^ "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  43. ^ "Jennifer Knapp Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  44. ^ "American album certifications – Jennifer Knapp – Kansas". Recording Industry Association of America. October 30, 2000. Retrieved March 8, 2020.

External links[edit]

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