Brian McKnight facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brian McKnight
McKnight at the 2019 Celebrity Fight Night
Born	Brian Kelly McKnight (1969-06-05) June 5, 1969 (age 56) Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Education	Maynard Evans High School Oakwood College (no degree)
Occupation	Singer songwriter record producer actor multi-instrumentalist arranger
Years active	1988–present
Works	Discography filmography production
Spouse(s)	Julie McKnight ​ ​ (m. 1990; div. 2003)​ Leilani Mendoza ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	7
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul
Instruments	Vocals piano keyboards guitar bass guitar trumpet flugelhorn trombone tuba percussion
Labels	SoNo Universal Kobalt E1 Razor & Tie Warner Bros. Motown Polygram Mercury Wing

Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. (born Brian Kelly McKnight on June 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also an actor, radio host, and can play many instruments. Brian McKnight is famous for his R&B music. People know him for his strong singing voice and his ability to sing many notes on one syllable, which is called melisma.

His first big hit song was "Love Is" with Vanessa Williams. It was released in 1993 for the Beverly Hills, 90210 TV show soundtrack. This song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the same year, his song "One Last Cry" reached number 13. This song came from his first album, Brian McKnight (1992). This album sold over a million copies.

In 1997, his song "You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)" was a Top 20 hit. It was from his album Anytime. His most successful song, "Back at One", came out in 1999. It reached number two on the charts. The album of the same name, Back at One, was one of four albums that reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.

Brian McKnight has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards. This is one of the highest numbers of nominations for an artist who has not yet won a Grammy.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Brian McKnight was born in Buffalo, New York. His parents are Claude McKnight, Jr. and Ruth Elaine Willis. He started his music journey as a child in his church choir. His grandfather was the director of the choir.

As he grew up, Brian McKnight explored many types of music. In his early teenage years, he began writing his own instrumental songs. He also learned to play several musical instruments. McKnight formed a band and started performing his original songs in local places. By the time he was 18, he was offered a deal to publish his music.

Music Career

Early Albums with Mercury Records (1990–1997)

Brian's older brother, Claude V. McKnight III, was in a band called Take 6. They signed a record deal in 1987. This inspired Brian to send out his own demo tapes. A demo tape is a recording that shows off an artist's music. When he was 19, Brian signed his first record deal with Wing Records, which was part of Mercury Records.

His first album, Brian McKnight, came out in 1992. It reached number 58 on the Billboard 200 chart. His first song released from the album was "The Way Love Goes". It reached number 11 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album also had the popular song "One Last Cry".

He released two more albums with Mercury: I Remember You (1995) and Anytime (1997). His album Anytime sold over two million copies. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1997, Brian McKnight recorded "Remember the Magic" for Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary. He also joined a group called Black Men United for the song "U Will Know" in 1994.

Success with Motown Records (1998–2004)

In 1998, Brian McKnight signed with Motown Records. His first album with Motown was a Christmas album called Bethlehem.

In 1998, Brian McKnight also appeared on the TV show Sister Sister. He played a college professor for the main characters, Tia and Tamera.

In 1999, McKnight released Back at One. This became his most successful album. It sold over three million copies. Back at One was one of four of his albums to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In 2004, he helped write the song "Wait" for Australian artist Guy Sebastian.

New Labels and Media Work (2005–Present)

McKnight performing in 2006

In late 2005, Brian McKnight signed with Warner Bros. Records. He released the album Ten in December 2006. This was his only album with that label. Three songs from the album were released as singles: "Find Myself in You", "Used to Be My Girl", and "What's My Name".

In October 2007, McKnight performed on Broadway in the show Chicago.

From 2006 to 2010, Brian McKnight hosted a radio show called The Brian McKnight Morning Show in Los Angeles. He also hosted "The Brian McKnight Show" on 98.7 KISS FM in New York City in 2009.

In 2009, McKnight was a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. He played to raise money for a charity called Youthville USA. From 2009 to 2010, he hosted The Brian McKnight Show, a late-night talk show.

Brian McKnight has sung the National Anthem many times for major sports events. These include MLB Opening Day, the NBA All-Star Game, and the World Series.

McKnight at the 2014 Pioneer of African American Achievement Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, California

In 2015, McKnight released the song "Uh Oh Feeling". This was the first song from his album Better. He released this album on his own label, Brian McKnight Music LLC. Better was released in February 2016 and received good reviews.

In September 2016, Brian McKnight released his first live CD, DVD, and Blu-ray collection. It was called An Evening with Brian McKnight. It included 14 live songs and three new songs. The first song, "Everything", became a Top 20 hit on the Adult Contemporary charts.

McKnight released the album Genesis in August 2017. It had three popular songs: "Everything", "Forever", and "I Want U". In January 2018, he was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards. He was nominated for Outstanding Male Artist and Outstanding Album for Genesis.

In 2021, Brian McKnight appeared on The Masked Dancer as "Cricket".

Personal Life

Brian McKnight was married to Julie McKnight from 1990 to 2003. They have two sons together. Brian also has a daughter from an earlier relationship.

In 2014, he started dating Dr. Leilani Malia Mendoza. They got engaged in May 2017 and married on December 29, 2017. Leilani has two children from a previous relationship. Brian and Leilani had a son who sadly passed away as a baby. In December 2022, they had another son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr. Brian McKnight legally changed his name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. to match his new son's name.

Religion

Brian McKnight grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist faith. Religion was very important in his family. Many generations of his family were Seventh-day Adventists. His grandfather was a church pastor, and his mother played piano and sang in a gospel choir. As the youngest of four boys, Brian joined an a cappella gospel quartet with his brothers. He also attended Oakwood College, a Seventh-day Adventist university.

Discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Brian McKnight para niños