Music Knox | Michael Knox

Michael Knox
Music Knox CEO/President
Knox Country 360 President/Host
peermusic Vice President, Nashville

Knox is most noted for his production work with country superstar Jason Aldean (2011 CMA Award for Album of The Year – Jason Aldean’s MY KINDA PARTY) but with 28 number ones, over 50 million singles and 25 million albums sold, Knox has many production credits to his name including Thomas Rhett (“It Goes Like This” 3 weeks #1, 50 million + one-week record breaking audience impression) Trace Adkins (Grammy Nominated “Just Fishin’”), Kelly Clarkson (collaboration w/Aldean on “Don’t You Wanna Stay” 2012 ACM Single Record of the Year and 2012 ACM Vocal Event of the Year), Bush Hawg, Ludacris (collaboration w/Aldean on “Dirt Road Anthem”), Luke Bryan & Eric Church (collaboration w/Aldean on “The Only Way I Know” 2013 ACM Vocal Event of the Year), Carrie Underwood (collaboration with Aldean on “If I Didn’t Love You” 2021 ACM Single of the Year), Montgomery Gentry, Randy Owen, Rachel Farley, Josh Thompson, Frankie Ballard, Hank Williams Jr., Brother Trouble, Chuck Wicks, Michael Tyler, Laine Hardy, SYKAMORE and Tim Montana among others. In addition, Knox was named one of Billboard’s Country Power Players in 2020 & 2021.
He has produced 27 number one career singles for Jason Aldean with over 25 million albums sold, including “Big Green Tractor,” “She’s Country” (2009 Mediabase Most Played Country Song of the Year), “Dirt Road Anthem” (2012 Billboard Top Country Song of the Year), “Tattoos on this Town”, “Night Train”, “When She Say Baby” (2014 Mediabase Song Of The Year), “Burnin’ It Down” (2015 iHeart Radio and Billboard Top Country Song of the Year), “Light’s Come On”, “Any Ol’ Barstool”, “You Make It Easy” and “If I Didn’t Love You” (2021 ACM Single of the Year).

Michael Knox co-produced “The Wrong Song” featuring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere with T-Bone Burnett and produced “I’m A Girl” featuring Hayden Panettiere, “What If I Was Willing” and “Hurtin’ On Me” Chris Carmack, “Can’t Say No To You” a duet with Hayden and Chris Carmack and “It’s On Tonight” Chris Carmack, Chip Esten and Will Chase for the ABC hit TV series NASHVILLE.

Knox also serves as Senior Vice President for peermusic Group in Nashville. In 2013 they enjoyed the ASCAP Song of the Year “How Country Feels” (Randy Houser) and in 2016 the SESAC Country Song of the Year “Somewhere on a Beach.” Under the creative leadership of Knox, peermusic has built itself into one of Nashville’s top Independent Publishing Companies.

In 2018, Michael Knox and Donny Walker (former Senior Director of Syndicated Radio for Westwood One) created the syndicated radio show Knox Country. Knox serves as both host and producer for the show. They also launched the Knox Country App in 2020 which features past radio shows, podcasts, playlists and much more. In 2022, Knox and co-host Shalacy Griffin were nominated for National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year from the Academy of Country Music.

Another major accomplishment for Knox in 2018, was the launch of Music Knox Records with BMG. Through the new label imprint, Knox will focus on developing new artists.

Family History

Son of Rock N’ Roll Legend Buddy Knox (“Party Doll” fame 1957). He was recognized as the first artist in the rock era to write and sing his own #1 hit song

Past Bio

Few people in Music Row history have turned creativity into chart success as well as Michael Knox. Opening Nashville’s first song plugging company in 1991, HIT PLUGGERS, it gave him the start he needed to move to bigger things. When he was an executive for Warner/Chappell Music (1992 – 2002), Knox was VP responsible for writer and artist development and song placements that left his stamp on more than 150 million records. Signing and overseeing such writers and catalogs as Jason Aldean, John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Emily West, Jeff Stevens, Steve Bogard, Marv Green, Terry McBride, Wendell Mobley, Dave Loggins and others. Along the way, he has proven himself to be one of Nashville’s most original business minds and one of its most successful groomers of talent and song placement.

Awards & Affiliated Awards (Producer)

Country Music Association (CMA)

Winner – Producer 2011 CMA Album of the Year “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean).

Nominated – Producer 2011 CMA Single of the Year “Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson)

Nominated – Producer 2012 CMA Single of the Year “Dirt Road Anthem” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – Producer 2013 CMA Musical Event of the Year “The Only Way I Know” (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church)

Nominated – Producer of 2018 CMA Single of the Year “Drowns the Whiskey” (Jason Aldean with Miranda Lambert)

Nominated – Producer of 2018 Musical Event of the Year “Drowns the Whiskey” (Jason Aldean with Miranda Lambert)

Academy of Country Music (ACM)

Winner – Producer 2022 ACM Single Record of the Year

“If I Didn’t Love You” (Jason Aldean with Carrie Underwood)

Winner – Producer 2012 ACM Single Record of the Year 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson)

Winner – Producer 2012 ACM Vocal Event of the Year 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson) 

Winner – Producer 2013 ACM Vocal Event of the Year

“The Only Way I Know” (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church)

Nominated – (Producer) 2007 ACM Song of the Year “Amarillo Sky” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – Producer 2011 ACM Album of the Year “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean).

Nominated – Producer 2012 ACM Album of the Year “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean).

Nominated – Producer 2015 ACM Album of the Year “Old Boots, New Dirt” (Jason Aldean).

Nominated – Producer 2019 ACM Music Event of the Year “Drowns the Whiskey (Jason Aldean with Miranda Lambert)

Nominated – 2019 ACM Producer of the Year

Nominated – 2020 ACM Producer of the Year

Grammy Awards

Nominated – (Producer) 2022 Best Country Duo/Group Performance “If I Didn’t Love You” (Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood) 

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Best Country Solo Performance “Dirt Road Anthem” (Jason Aldean )

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Best Country Duo/Group Performance “Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson) 

Nominated – Producer 2012 Best Country Album “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean) 

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Best Country Song “Just Fishin’” (Trace Adkins)

Nominated – Producer 2014 Best Country Album “Night Train” (Jason Aldean)

American Country Awards 

Winner – (Producer) 2011 Album of the Year “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean).

Winner – (Producer) 2011 Single of the Year “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean).

Winner – (Producer) 2011 Single of the Year Collaboration 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson)

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Single of the Year “Tattoos on This Town” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Single by a Male Artist “Tattoos on This Town” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Song of the Year “Fly Over States” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Song of the Year “Tattoos on This Town” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2013 Single of the Year – Vocal Collaboration “The Only Way I Know” (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church)

Nominated – (Producer) 2013 Album of the Year “Night Train” (Jason Aldean)

American Country Countdown Awards

Winner – (Producer) 2014 Single of the Year “Just Gettin’ Started” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2014 Song of the Year “Burnin’ it Down” (Jason Aldean)

Teen Choice Awards

Nominated – (Producer) 2012 Country Song “Tattoos on This Town” (Jason Aldean)

Mediabase

2009 Year End Chart Most Played Song “She’s Country” (Jason Aldean) 

2014 Year End Chart Most Played Song “When She Says Baby” (Jason Aldean) 

Touchtunes

2012 Year End Charts Top Country Song “Dirt Road Anthem” (Jason Aldean)

Billboard Music Awards 

Winner – (Producer) 2012 Top Country Album “My Kinda Party” (Jason Aldean)

Winner – (Producer) 2012 Top Country Song “Dirt Road Anthem” (Jason Aldean)

Winner – (Producer) 2015 Top Country Album “Old Boots, New Dirt” (Jason Aldean)

Winner – (Producer) 2015 Top Country Song “Burnin’ it Down” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2013 Top Country Album “Night Train” (Jason Aldean)

Nominated – (Producer) 2017 Top Country Album “They Don’t Know” (Jason Aldean)

iHeart Radio Awards

Winner – (Producer) 2015 Country Song of the Year “Burnin’ it Down” (Jason Aldean)

Top Country Producers / Hot 100 Producers

2021 – #9

2020 – #10

2019 – #7

2018 – #6

2017 – #8

2016 – #8

2015 – #8

2014 – #6

2013 – #5  –  #24

2012 – #3  –  #25

2011 – #2  –  #13

2010 – #3

2009 – #6

Albums (appearing as solo producer or co-producer)

Top Country Albums /Billboard Top 200 /Independent /Soundtracks

# 6 – #37 – #2 – NA – Jason Aldean (2005) 

# 1 – # 4 – # 1 – NA – Relentless (2007) – Jason Aldean 

# 2 – # 4 – # 1 – NA – Wide Open (2009) – Jason Aldean 

# 1 – # 5 –  NA – NA- Cowboys Back In Town (2010) – Trace Adkins 

# 1 – # 2 – # 1 – NA – My Kinda Party (2010) – Jason Aldean 

# 9 – #28 – NA – NA – Way Out Here (2010) – Josh Thompson 

# 2 – # 6 –  NA- #1 – Country Strong (2010 Motion Picture Soundtrack) 

# 9 – #28 – #6 – NA – Rebels On The Run (2011) – Montgomery Gentry 

#33 – NA – NA – NA – Franklin Ballard EP (2011)

# 8 – #47 – #5 – #4 – Act Of Valor: Soundtrack (2012 motion picture) 

# 1 – # 1 – # 1 – NA – Night Train (2012) – Jason Aldean 

# 3 – #14 – NA – #1 – The Music of Nashville (2012 season 1 Vol 1) 

# 2 – # 6 –  NA – NA – It Goes Like This (2013) – Thomas Rhett 

# 2 – # 8 –  NA – NA – Alabama & Friends (2013) 

# 7 – #34 – NA – #4 – The Music Of Nashville (2013 season 2 Vol 1)  

#5 – #35 – NA – NA – Sunshine & Whiskey (2014) – Frankie Ballard

#1 – #1 – #1 – NA – Old Boots, New Dirt (2014) – Jason Aldean 

#1 – #1 – #1 – NA – They Don’t Know (2016) – Jason Aldean

#1 – #1 – #1 – NA – Rearview Town (2018) – Jason Aldean

#1 – #2 – #1 – NA – 9 (2019) – Jason Aldean

Here’s To Anyone (2021) – Laine Hardy

Texas To Tennessee (2021) – Clay Walker

Macon (2021) – Jason Aldean

Georgia (2022) – Jason Aldean

Producer Credits include:

Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Josh Thompson, Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Kelly Clarkson, Eric Church, Luke Bryan,Tim Montana, Laine Hardy, Bush Hawg, Ludacris, Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Chris Carmack, Will Chase, Chip Esten, Hank Williams Jr., Chuck Wicks, Michael Tyler, Frankie Ballard, Miranda Lambert, Randy Owen, Charlie Daniels, Sykamore, Rachel Farley, Brantley Gilbert, Lost Trailers, Crossin Dixon, Lila McCann, the Road Hammers, Danni Leigh, JD Myers and the late great Buddy Knox.

Notable Singles as a Producer:

#1 singles 

Jason Aldean – “Why” 

Jason Aldean – “She’s Country”

Jason Aldean – “Big Green Tractor”

Jason Aldean – “The Truth”

Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”

Jason Aldean – “Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”

Jason Aldean – ”Tattoo’s On This Town”

Jason Aldean – “Fly Over States”

Jason Aldean – “Take A Little Ride”

Jason Aldean – “The Only Way I Know”

Jason Aldean – “Night Train”

Thomas Rhett – “It Goes Like This”

Jason Aldean – “When She Says Baby”

Jason Aldean – “Burnin’ It Down”

Jason Aldean – “Just Gettin’ Started”

Jason Aldean – “Tonight Looks Good on You”

Jason Aldean – “Lights Come On”

Jason Aldean – “A Little More Summertime”

Jason Aldean – “Any Ol’ Barstool”

Jason Aldean – “You Make It Easy”

Jason Aldean – “Drowns the Whiskey”

Jason Aldean – “Girl Like You”

Jason Aldean – “Rearview Town”

Jason Aldean – “Got What I Got”

Jason Aldean – “Blame It On You”

Jason Aldean – “If I Didn’t Love You”

Jason Aldean – “Trouble With a Heartbreak”

Top 5 singles 

Jason Aldean -“Amarillo Sky”

Jason Aldean – “Johnny Cash”

Jason Aldean – “Laugh Until We Cried”

Jason Aldean – “Crazy Town”

Trace Adkins – “Just Fishin’ 

Jason Aldean – “Gonna Know We Were Here”

Jason Aldean – “They Don’t Know”

Jason Aldean – “We Back”

Top 10 singles

Jason Aldean – “Hick Town”

Montgomery Gentry – “Where I Come From”

Jason Aldean – “1994”

Top 15 singles 

Jason Aldean – “Relentless”

Josh Thompson – “Beer On The Table”

Josh Thompson – “Way Out Here”

Trace Adkins – “This Ain’t No Love Song” 

Boards and Memberships

ACM Board of Directors (previous), Grammy Special Committees (previous), CMA Board of Directors (previous), Leadership Music Class of 2001, Grammy, CMA, ACM.