Winner! “What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever played?” Chris J Norwood’s “The Strangest Gig” podcast is Dallas Observer’s 2023 “Best of Dallas.”

The Knockdown Dragout leader satisfies music obsessives with behind the scenes video on making of Stax-inspired combo’s recent Otis Redding cover.

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Chris J Norwood as photographed by Joseph Brewster

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Chris J Norwood of The Knockdown Dragout hosts “The Strangest Gig” podcast, named “Best of Dallas” 2023!

“In a sea of podcasts that focus on musicians, this one has found a fresh and unique angle. It simply asks them about the strangest gig they've ever played. The specific nature of the topic often sparks previously untold stories from the artists. Norwood is a great host, presenting a relaxed conversational style that puts guests at ease and makes for an listen every time.” — Dallas Observer

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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout | “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)” (Otis Redding Cover)

[STREAM]: https://Fanatic.lnk.to/TheKnockdownDragout-FaFaFaFaFa
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Listen via Broadway World or at the link above!
“Otis Redding is one of my favorite singers of all time,” Chris J Norwood explains about his cover of Redding’s classic “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song).” “If you were to come over on a Saturday afternoon, Otis is what is playing on the stereo. I knew that I had to include an Otis cover on this album. I love the line, ‘Sad songs is all I know…’ in the way that Otis sings it. He sings with such passion and soul that you can’t help but feel good. That’s what I love about Soul music. Even the sad songs make you dance. That’s what propelled this whole album.”
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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout | “Breaking It Down”

[YOUTUBE]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ND3wefHDes
Are you into the nitty gritty about musical gear, studio stories, and song arrangements?  Chris J Norwood of The Knockdown Dragout breaks down the making of his cover of an Otis Redding classic and his upcoming Stax-inspired album.
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Chris J Norwood | In The Press

“Wants you to know the truth.” — The Boot

“Unpretentious and genuine.” — Americana Highways

“Great lyrical hooks.” — Americana UK

“Talk about making a statement.” — Twangville

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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown DragoutThe Knockdown DragoutFeb. 9, 2024(Gastonwood Music)

Track Listing:

01. Introducing...

02. The Knockdown Dragout (PRE-SAVE)

03. The Cheap Seats

04. Dancing In The Kitchen

05. Run Rosie Run

06. I Want It All

07. Love Me Back To Life

08. Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song) (STREAM)

09. The GOAT

10. Got To Get Back To Texas

11. Darling Don’t Leave

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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout | About

If the photographic evidence accompanying The Knockdown Dragout (Gastonwood Music, Feb. 9, 2024) is any indication, then Chris J Norwood is a beaten man.

Beaten, maybe… But not out!

As Norwood sings on “The Knockdown Dragout” — the ensemble, album, and first single all share the same name — he is a fighter:

I know it don’t look good

They got me up against the ropes

I ain’t no light weight kid

I got the fight, the will, the hope

The “will” and “hope” part comes in as the Dallas-based songwriter — and now bandleader, commanding a Stax-inspired ensemble cutting tracks live on the studio floor in the same building where Willie Nelson made Red Headed Stranger — leaves behind his acoustic guitar to make the album of his dreams.

“I have wanted to make this record for a long time,” Norwood says about a passion so strong, he parted ways with his record label to be able to see his vision through. “If you were to come over on a Saturday afternoon, Otis Redding is what is playing on the stereo.”

The Knockdown Dragout cover the Redding classic “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)” in a joyous rendition that sits perfectly alongside Norwood’s originals.

“I had to include an Otis cover,” Norwood explains. You can’t help but feel good, and that’s what I love about soul music. Even the sad songs make you dance.”

Norwood had become tired of sadness.

“I’m disillusioned with the ‘sad bastard’ scene of singer-songwriters that I found myself a part of,” he admits. After releasing two records that reckoned with darkness and personal tragedy, Norwood wanted to make an album that was “just fun.”

A “knockdown dragout” is a phrase I used to hear my mother use,” he explains of the album’s statement of purpose, which also addresses his relationship with the music industry. “It’s essentially a fight between two people that is particularly bad.” Norwood’s decision to leave his label to make this album was actually amicable, but even civil closure smarts.

The same goes for Norwood’s surprise genre switch-up.

“I wanted to write some songs that I could actually sing to Carrie and dance in the kitchen to,” he says,  alluding to one of the album’s standout tracks, “Dancing In The Kitchen,” a love song to Norwood’s wife.

“Finally! Songs that are about me!” Carrie Norwood, who also appears on the record as one-half of the background vocal duo, The Knockouts, jokes.

“Being a Knockout comes with attitude and sass,” she says. “The world is pretty crazy right now, but there is still love and goodness to sing about.”

After listening to the celebratory songs on The Knockdown Dragout,  Norwood’s “will” and “hope” win this bout by unanimous decision.

The Knockdown Dragout by Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout arrives Feb. 9, 2024 via Gastonwood Music.

Chris J Norwood is available for interviews. Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

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Chris J Norwood | Links

ASSETS : WEBSITE : FACEBOOK : TWITTER : INSTAGRAM : YOUTUBE : 
BANDCAMP : SPOTIFY : APPLE

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Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion | Contact

WEBSITE : FACEBOOK : TWITTER : INSTAGRAM : YOUTUBE : TIKTOK : SOUNDCLOUD : SPOTIFY : BLOG : E-MAIL