Vic Chesnutt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vic Chesnutt
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Vic Chesnutt performing in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Victor Chesnutt |
| Born | November 12, 1964 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Origin | Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | December 25, 2009 (aged 45) Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1985–2009 |
James Victor Chesnutt (born November 12, 1964 – died December 25, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter. He came from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990. He became more widely known in 1996 with Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation. This was a special album where other famous artists covered his songs to raise money for charity.
Vic Chesnutt released 17 albums during his music career. Two of these albums were produced by Michael Stipe from the band R.E.M. His music style was often described as unique and thoughtful. It was also sometimes funny and moving all at once.
When he was 18, Vic had a car accident. This accident left him partly paralyzed. He used a wheelchair and had limited use of his hands. Even with these challenges, he continued to create amazing music.
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Early Life and Music Journey
Vic Chesnutt was adopted and grew up in Zebulon, Georgia. He started writing songs when he was only five years old. When he was 13, he decided he was an atheist, a belief he held his whole life.
After his car accident at 18, he learned he could still play the guitar. He could play simple chords, which allowed him to continue his passion for music. After recovering, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, he read a lot of poetry by famous writers like Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. These poems helped inspire his songwriting.
Starting His Career
Around 1985, Vic moved to Athens, Georgia. He joined a band called La-Di-Das. After leaving that band, he started performing by himself. He often played at the 40 Watt Club. This is where Michael Stipe from the famous band R.E.M. first saw him. Michael Stipe was so impressed that he produced Vic's first two albums: Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991).
In 1993, a documentary film was made about Vic Chesnutt. It was called Speed Racer: Welcome to the World of Vic Chesnutt and was shown on PBS. Vic also had a small acting role in the 1996 movie Sling Blade.
Reaching a Wider Audience
In 1996, many more people learned about Vic Chesnutt. This happened because of the charity album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation. Money from this album went to the Sweet Relief Fund, which helps musicians. The album featured well-known bands and artists covering Vic's songs. Some of these included R.E.M., Indigo Girls, Madonna, Garbage, and The Smashing Pumpkins.
In 2007, Vic Chesnutt performed at the Vienna International Film Festival. He played live music with other musicians for a special film program. This program combined film scenes with live readings and music.
Working with Other Artists
Vic Chesnutt loved working with other musicians. He recorded a song called "Hickory Wind" with Bob Mould in 1993.
He also made two albums with the band Widespread Panic. They called themselves brute. for these projects. Vic wrote some songs for Widespread Panic, and they often played them live. He even appeared on their album Bombs & Butterflies. The music video for "Aunt Avis" was directed by Billy Bob Thornton and featured Vic.
Vic Chesnutt also worked closely with engineer Scott Stuckey. They became good friends and made two more albums together. They were also working on a documentary about Vic's music before he passed away.
More Collaborations
Vic's 1998 album The Salesman and Bernadette featured the alt-country band Lambchop as his backing band. He also made the album Merriment with Kelly and Nikki Keneipp. Vic wrote and sang the songs, and the Keneipps played the music.
In 2004, Vic sang on the title track of Elf Power's album, Walking with the Beggar Boys. His 2005 album Ghetto Bells included famous guitarist Bill Frisell. It also featured composer Van Dyke Parks playing accordion and keyboards. Vic's wife, Tina, often played bass on his albums.
In 2006, he recorded North Star Deserter in Montreal, Canada. This album was released in 2007. It included contributions from members of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Fugazi's Guy Picciotto also played on it.
In 2008, Vic Chesnutt teamed up with Elf Power again for the album Dark Developments. In 2009, he released At the Cut with many of the same musicians from North Star Deserter. Later that year, he recorded Skitter on Take-off with Jonathan Richman.
Vic also sang on the song "Grim Augury" from the 2009 album Dark Night of the Soul. This album was a project by Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse, and director David Lynch.
His Record Labels
Vic Chesnutt's first four albums were released by an independent label called Texas Hotel. He then recorded About to Choke (1996) for Capitol Records, a bigger label. Over his career, he worked with several other labels, including PolyGram, Backburner Records, spinART, and New West Records. In 2010, About to Choke was re-released on vinyl.
Other Music Projects
Vic Chesnutt performed a powerful version of the classic song "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" in 1994. He also sang "Home on the Range" for a children's CD. Money from that CD helped support family literacy programs.
He often performed Daniel Johnston's song "Like a Monkey in a Zoo" during his live shows. Vic recorded his own version of this song for a 2004 compilation CD. He also recorded an acoustic song called "Little Man" for a tribute album in 2009.
Death
Vic Chesnutt passed away on Christmas Day in 2009. He was 45 years old.
Discography
- 1990 Little
- 1991 West of Rome
- 1993 Drunk
- 1995 Is the Actor Happy?
- 1996 About to Choke
- 1998 The Salesman and Bernadette
- 2000 Merriment
- 2001 Left to His Own Devices
- 2003 Silver Lake
- 2005 Ghetto Bells
- 2005 Extra Credit EP
- 2007 North Star Deserter
- 2008 Dark Developments (with Elf Power and The Amorphous Strums)
- 2009 Mitte Ende August OST
- 2009 At the Cut
- 2009 Skitter on Take-Off
With brute.
- 1995 Nine High a Pallet
- 2002 Co-Balt
See also
In Spanish: Vic Chesnutt para niños
- The Undertow Orchestra
