Birth name Eric Diaz Role Singer Name Eric Knight | Years active 1995–present Genres Rock, Hard Rock Albums Fractured Fairy Tales | |
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, record producer, actor, artist manager, entrepreneur,
music industry consultant, conference speaker and music education advocate Labels 28 Records, Symbiotic Records Associated acts Aerosmith, Dave Matthews Band, Kid Rock, KISS, Vandal, Ignacio Val, David Bisbal, Alejandra Guzman, Luis Fonsi, Alejandro Fernandez, Ana Isabelle, Anahi, Chenoa, Norman Brown (guitarist), Disciples of Babylon | ||
Eric Knight is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, artist manager, entrepreneur, and entertainment industry professional originally from the Miami suburb of Hialeah. Eric Knight is the founder and lead singer for Los Angeles rock group, Disciples of Babylon, as well as Founder and CEO of artist management agency, Persistent Management.
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Early life
Eric Knight is the son of Cuban immigrants, Carlos Diaz, former rhythm guitarist for the Miami-based band Shango, and Nerida Diaz. At age 13, Knight was performing in night clubs in the greater Miami area.
Music career
Eric Knight was the lead singer of the Miami hard rock act, Vandal, from 1990-1995. In 1990, Eric Knight met John Tovar, who had discovered and was managing Marilyn Manson and The Mavericks at the time, and had expressed interest in working with Knight's band. Tovar ultimately took on Vandal as one of his new clients. Knight then became the publicist, booking agent, fan club organizer, and spokesperson for the band. In 1991 John Tovar exited as manager and Knight took control of the group's managerial responsibilities. Vandal's 1994 release, Julian Day, credited Persistent Management as the group's official management. Vandal disbanded in 1995 due to creative differences.
Knight released his debut album Near Life Experience in October 1998. Knight wrote and arranged all of the tracks and also co-produced the album with Keith Rose at Criteria Studios in North Miami. The album went on to spawn the first single and video for Play On Words which received substantial airplay internationally and favorable reviews.
In 1999, while promoting his album, Knight opened for the Dave Matthews Band, and started music education business, Music Business 101, speaking at 20 high schools in South Florida. Knight has also conducted workshops and guest spoke at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.
Knight contributed Foolin to the Def Leppard tribute album Tributized: Tribute to Def Leppard which was released in 2000. In the summer of that same year, Knight opened for Kiss (band) on the Florida leg of the Kiss Farewell Tour.
In 2001, Eric Knight performed a songwriter showcase for BMI after the September 11 attacks in New York City.
Eric Knight released his second album, Fractured Fairy Tales, in 2002 with engineer and co-producer, Keith Rose. Singles Silly Love Song and Crux Of The Matter from the release received airplay nationally and internationally. In October 2002, Knight opened for Aerosmith and Kid Rock for the Girls of Summer Tour.
Knight relocated to Los Angeles in 2006, where he arranged a new band lineup and performed across the Los Angeles and Hollywood club circuit.
In 2008, Eric accepted the L.A. Rockies award in Hollywood for Best Male Solo Artist after receiving the most votes in his category from the public. In September, Knight organized a series of concerts in Los Angeles, including the City Of Nations industry showcase which consisted of several bands and artists from different countries.
Eric is currently in the process of finalizing his third studio album titled Delusions Of Grandeur.
In 2012, Knight formed rock group, Disciples of Babylon and is the band's lead singer and rhythm guitarist. In January 2015, the band released their first single entitled Karma, from the group's debut EP, Welcome to Babylon. Welcome to Babylon is due out in the spring of 2015.
Music Industry Career
In 2004, Eric Knight attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood where he graduated with a degree in Music Business in 2006. In 2008, Knight was offered a job at Universal Music in their Latin division. During his time there, Eric worked with some of the biggest names in Latin music including David Bisbal, Luis Fonsi, Academy Award winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla and his project Bajofondo. Knight also performed with Alejandra Guzman, Alejandro Fernandez, David Bisbal & Luis Fonsi.
In February 2008, Eric Knight began working on a new entertainment company titled Symbiotic Nation. Knight's plans for the organization include creating an interconnected structure of industry channels that can be used by artists to better connect with entertainment industry officials. The launch of the company also includes sister divisions, Symbiotic Records and Symbiotic Agency. In April of the same year, Knight launched his own entertainment management company, Persistent Management. Eric worked with several independent Los Angeles area bands before managing Latin pop-rock artist, Ignacio Val.
Since 2008, Eric Knight has provided articles, interviews, and expertise for journalists and authors regarding his personal experiences as an entrepreneur in the music industry, including contributions to author, Neil Tortorella's, Starting Your Career As A Musician; Times Beach Magazine; and Making Music Magazine.
During the summer of 2012, Eric co-founded the music industry media network, MUBUTV (Music Business Television), with music industry expert, Ritch Esra. Eric has since overseen Creative Direction and development of all of MUBUTV's productions including its flagship program, The Insider Series, which features interviews with industry professionals including Kenny Kerner, Eric Sheinkop, John Houlihan, and Tom Callahan.
Currently, Eric Knight is a voting member of both the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Grammy Award boards. Knight also works with Grammy Award winning Jazz guitarist, Norman Brown (guitarist), on media related projects. Eric is also in the process of authoring his first industry relative book entitled How To Manage Your Career In The New Music Industry.