Remembrances

You did it right - so many folks overproduce, fill in every gap of silence with filler, and end up with a CD that no longer resembles the live heart and soul performance. This preserves what you do for all ages, just like we hear it now live. And Reid Papke – jeez, how does he just know exactly what should be where on bass to make the dance floor for the rest of it to twirl on...good stuff.
Ken Duvio
Musician
Lonnie was a very accomplished studio guitarist. He was first call guitarist of writer, producer, keyboardist Herb Pillhofer at one of the finest, cutting edge studios in the Midwest, Sound 80, for years. It takes a very versatile musician and a good reader, as well as a nice guy to be a successful studio musician. And Lonnie was all that and more.
Bobby Vandell
Drummer, Vocalist, Radio Host
The late great Lonnie Knight played an arch top. Lonnie was a great supporter of my work and test drove almost every new guitar I hung at the store [The Podium]. I did not rest easy until he gave his blessing and advice.
Terence Kennedy
Luthier/Owner Kennedy Guitars
The acoustic guitar resonates with me more than any instrument and no one plays it better than Lonnie. He is one of those prodigies whose talent is only overshadowed by his humility. Lonnie has performed and headlined in some of the area's eminent bands and has been a top session player for as long as there has been a music scene in the Twin Cities. I don’t know anyone who isn’t in awe of his guitar playing. His songwriting is incomparable with interplay (no pun) between melodic instrumental lines and pure lyrical poetry. He’s a master.
Madeleine Hart
Musician, Songwriter, Photographer
Lonnie is the type of performer you don't really want to follow on stage because there's no way you can play like him and there's no way you can sell a song like he does. Lonnie is one of those guys who can disassemble a song, look at all the constituent parts, tweak them and then reassemble the song into something fresh and alive and purely Lonnie Knight.
Dave Hanners
Musician
Dear Lonnie, It is a great joy to collaborate in music with a man of your exceptional caliber and was a great comfort to know when you play, you know the parts and have done whatever it takes to execute it, as you did at The Dakota, a very memorable show for me, and The Webber. You are a remarkable man in all ways.
Scarlet Rivera
World Renownd Violinist
Lonnie Knight reminds me of a fine wine because his art gets better with time. Lonnie's metaphors sink into the soul like a poet's words in most of his melodies.
Mia Jennings
Writer, Blues On Stage
While the night (Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan) was filled with guest stars who cycled in and out of the front-person slots, the backing band was possibly the most noteworthy part of the evening. Anchored by guitarist/vocalist Billy Hallquist, guitarist extraordinaire Lonnie Knight and several others (including two percussionists), the group bobbed and weaved deftly through all the tunes, improvising where they could and providing support in just the right ways. Knight was particularly impressive, his liquid soloing clean, fast and inspired. Easily, he could play in Dylan's band and be much more interesting than the folks Dylan himself is currently carting around the globe. He added expression to the occasionally rote 1-4-5 song structures.
Tony Bennett
Duluth News Tribune

Read more about what friends and fans have shared about Lonnie.

I remember him playing with City Mouse one week with a splint thing on a broken left hand finger and he was still jaw droppingly great.
Terry IsachsenMusician
I have sat in the front row several times for B.B. King, Eric Clapton and more, but never have I heard a master perform until Lonnie Knight...it was like Michelangelo in person painting the Sistine Chapel.
William H. BundyColumnist
There is an emotional depth and quality to his playing and singing that affects me.
Dan MesnikFan
Paintings and photography decorate space, music decorates time. If you were lucky enough to be in the audience when Lonnie was playing, you heard the most gorgeous art decorating the hours that he was there. The guitar was his paint brush and my job as his drummer was to hold the ladder.
Andy BotermanMusician
Lonnie, your guitar work never ceases to amaze and delight me and your ability to transport your dedicated fans to whatever place or deep emotion you sing of is simply remarkable. Each of your CDs has always captivated me with its depth and ability to draw me in to your experience or emotions, it seems. But, I have to wonder if possibly Portals is your pièce de résistance.
Joan HansonFan
First time I heard Lonnie, he played Poncho and Lefty. Tour-de-force. So many years of incredible music, stellar songwriting, graphic arts vision and guitar mastery...and that is just a brief summary.
Roger OlsonFan
Lonnie demonstrated not only his virtuosity on the guitar, but also a seemingly endless song list...requests were graciously honored.
Martin DemgenFan
His unique blend of hard-won wisdom and kind-eyed empathy gives his writing an intimate credibility and a redemptive grace. When he sings of major truths in minor keys, we know not only what he means, but how he feels.
Scott AlarikWriter
Lonnie you are truly one of the warmest, most friendly and passionate musicians I have ever met. God bless you, sir, from your humble friend and total admirer of your nimble fingers and creative, loving heart.
Les LaMotteGospel Music Songwriter
I enjoyed listening to Portals on my drive back from Duluth on Sunday. Perfect music for a long drive on a sunny winter morning. The guitar playing was as tasty as expected, and the melodies were unfailingly captivating.
Rick ShefchikAuthor
There was so much love and admiration and humor and tales and musical adoration in that room. [Lonnie Knight Song Circle of Love and Light at Creek House].
David RadtkeFan
To this day I would put his talent so high on the list of any of the greats I have had the privilege to see and hear live. It was around [the early 2000s] that one of Lonnie's musical paths was hosting open stages. The Atelier, Coffee Grounds. A few electric ones as well. While he might groan, “Please, do not make me hear 'Free Bird' ever again” in private conversation, he was always, always, always generous on stage.
Paul StricklandFan
Thank you very much for wonderful and excellent concert [in Kobe, Japan]. Your exquisite and delicate voice, masterful acoustic guitar-work, everything was so lovely and soothing. And without your electric guitar, Don Nix's second set couldn't be as good as that. We had comfortable and great time.
Chikashi NishiwakiFan
His presence while playing the guitar gives him the appearance of an authority looking down calmly on his six-string subject; but it’s the actual sound from the instrument, the pure music he makes on the guitar, that confirms the authority.
Torrey Music FestivalUtah
Why the session with Lonnie? [I knew that] a good guitarist can present the melody better than I can. Add the depth of experience in music, in sound and his pure playing ability, it is easy to conclude “why the session with Lonnie.”
Phil LittleSongwriter
People would come up to Mose Alison and tell him how much he sounded like Ben Sidran. I bet people come up to Mark Knopler and tell him how much he sounds like Lonnie Knight!
Dave HolmesFan
I was in the recording studio all day today with Lonnie Knight. One word for this man…Genius!
Glenn ElvigMusician
He is truly a lifelong musician who creates intricate, thought provoking melodies and lyrics. With his guitar and vocal techniques applied, the result is a mesmerizing combination that makes you smile.
Laurie GallagherFan
[When] you did Pancho and Lefty, you and the song moved me like nothing before. I went out and bought my first guitar…I truly owe all these years of playing and singing to you.
Jim SchwinnMusician
[Recording a demo], I provided the keyboard tracks, he did the rest himself. His tracks were subtle, tasteful, and supportive, just like the man himself. Respect.
Doug MadowMusician
Gracious, you are one viciously good guitar player. You manage to surprise me with your progressions, all the embellishments are tasty as hell…the guitar, its tone, your precise fingerings, all that stuff, are just dazzling. That work on Romeo and Juliet is simply better than Mark’s and I never thought I’d tell anyone that.
John DavisMusician
You should know, as a kid I was inspired by you…and felt so honored to share the stage with you.
Steve GrossmanMusician
That was a wonderful set you played…The selection dazzling in its variety, great writing, playing, singing.
Thomas R. SmithFan
Lonnie came up in conversation twice last week. [The talk] was about “Sultans of Swing” with fellow musicians and guitar players. Both mentioned the difficulty of the song…how awesome it is when it’s played well. Lonnie played the best version I’ve ever heard…awesome to witness.
Erin McCawleyMusician
I think Lonnie was one of the greatest talents I’ve ever had the honor to work with and we still miss him.
Connie LeeThe Connie Lee Band
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