Kolby Knickerbocker

Kolby Knickerbocker is a multi-award winning Americana singer, songwriter, and artist. His music has been featured in hundreds of television, film, and ad campaigns throughout the years. His music is soulful, powerful, and heart-touching.

Knickerbocker moved a lot as a kid and so says that “he’s not really ‘from’ any place.” He was born in Miami, raised in Atlanta, attended some high school in San Diego, college in Santa Barbara, lived in London for a few years, Poland thereafter, then Sacramento, and finally Bend, Oregon. He currently calls Bend his home.

Through his award-winning songwriting, Knickerbocker found that there is beauty in sadness and a deep joy in discovering new friends and being at peace in being alone. Knickerbocker’s songs speak to love and loss, the beauty in life and in love; “I think my fans recognize that and it’s why my songs speak to them. Everyone has experienced loss at some level; my music tries to put words and sound to that experience.”

It took Knickerbocker many years to start understanding and owning his musical talents: “I always thought people were just being nice with handy compliments. Then I started recording and putting music out there and total strangers were like, ‘This music is really beautiful.’ I think that’s when I started to believe I was good; when total strangers started to connect with my music and tell me how it helped them through a hard time in life.”

Knickerbocker started his professional musical career early on, releasing his first album with Kitty’s Musicbox (2004) as a sophomore in college. He has since released an additional full-length album Red Dust (2015) and two EPs, Rodello’s Machine and Animus (2012 and 2016), with Nate Donnis of Rodello’s Machine. In 2018, he started his solo career as a singer/songwriter and has seen upward momentum since then.

The emotional vulnerability in Knickerbocker’s music has landed him hundreds of TV and film placements across the globe as well as several awards. His music has been featured in television shows like Love is Blind, MTV’s Degrassi High, 90210, Heart Signal, Not Me, many independent films, and has been featured in Spotify’s “Top” editorial playlists. Most recently, his music secured international placements with VRBO and Uber, airing in the European, Australasian, and North American markets.

His latest single “Friend Like You” secured Knickerbocker a win for Best Americana at the 2023 Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA) and in 2021 his song “Over and Over” took home a win for Americana at the 2021 International Songwriting Competition.

Growing into life has taught Kolby that time, family, and love are what’s important. His debut solo EP, Kindness Courage (2019), met with critical acclaim and fan praise. This EP wove between timeless messages of kindness and strength left for his unborn daughter (“Kindness Courage”) and dedication to my wife and family (“Promise”). Both of these tracks set the foundation for a strong fan base and fueled future releases.

Of his family, Kolby says, “I think my kids and my family will be an inspiration for me for many years to come. I tell my wife that I’d love to write a sweet “Justin Timberlake” style dance track, but they just don’t come to me. Sweet tender love songs are my jam and I’m okay with that.”