An intimate evening with Dire Straits Co-Founder David Knopfler

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, David Knopfler grew up in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the North of England. By fourteen,  David was performing his own songs in folk clubs and having learned guitar, piano and drums in his childhood, it’s not surprising to find he’s mastered many  of the instruments he uses on his recordings. Despite a college degree, he can’t recall any other aspirations beyond composing and playing music.

David founded Dire Straits alongside his brother Mark, and recorded three albums, touring the stadium circuit extensively, before resigning three years later to follow his own path of independent, singer-songwriter. For more than two decades has faithfully pursued his musical vision, writing and producing his own music on  nine solo CDs to date.

David creates songs of substance. They are by turns deep and  captivating, elegant and thought provoking, with clever, gripping lyrics, his  exquisite sense of melody blending effortlessly. More attentive listeners might  even find themselves decoding the frequent buried references David includes. An example is found in “Jericho” (from his 2002 album Wishbones), the words to which conceal titles of previous albums and songs.

David Knopfler has  been fortunate enough to reach a wide audience without compromising his art.  While he’s enjoyed the respect and admiration of his musical peers, widespread  critical acclaim, international awards and worldwide chart successes, he’s  managed, in his own country, Britain, to keep a profile so low as to be nearly  invisible. He lives quietly in the English countryside, notching up an  impressive list of writing credits.

An understated integrity and honesty  define Knopfler in both his work and private life. A family man and a lifelong  member of organizations like Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Adopt a  Minefield, David has always made uncompromising life choices. “I don’t regard  what I do as remotely glamorous. I write and record music because I completely  love doing it, despite any so called “celebrity status” that sometimes comes  with the job.”

David’s first book of poetry entitled Blood Stones and  Rhythmic Beasts was released in 2005 by Blackwing Books. The year 2006 saw the debut of his 10th CD “Songs For the Siren”, and in March 2009 his collection “Anthology:1983-2008” was released. 2011 brought the release of David’s eleventh solo album, an acoustic, double CD with eighteen tracks including seven new songs – with guitarist and co-producer Harry Bogdanovs, titled “Acoustic”.  In 2013 David released a limited edition acoustic CD recorded live in Erfurt, Germany, titled “Made In Germany”, available for a limited time at shows and on CDBaby.com.