Karen Knowles

Karen Knowles (born 4 March 1964) is an Australian singer-songwriter and record producer, and former television personality

Karen Knowles
Background information
Born (1964-03-04) 4 March 1964
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresAdult contemporary
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, entertainer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1975–present
LabelsFable Records (1980–84)
Associated actsThe Seekers

Early career

Knowles was educated in Melbourne at the Methodist Ladies' College. She became nationally famous on the popular television program Young Talent Time, and was a member of the Young Talent Team from 1975 to 1980. Knowles first appeared as a contestant on Young Talent Time in 1974 whilst attending Donvale Primary School east of Melbourne.

In 1980, she signed with Fable Records and became the first Australian schoolgirl to receive a Gold record with her Top Ten single "Why Won't You Explain" in 1981. Her first album You Are The Reason reached Platinum in 1982.

Her second album, Loves Us All, was also released in 1982 and achieved Gold status. In 1983, her third album The Third Time was released and she had a Top 30 single "You Don't Know Love" in 1984. In 1984 Knowles left the Fable label and moved to London.

Return to Australia

Knowles returned to Australia in 1988 and featured in the stage musical Big River during its eighteen-month national tour. For her performance as southern belle, Mary Jane Wilks, Knowles received a nomination for a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

In 1990 Knowles joined The Seekers. In 1991, Knowles, along with the group's main songwriter Bruce Woodley and the National Boys Choir, recorded the song I Am Australian.

In 1991 Knowles recorded and produced her fourth album A Night of Carols, featuring the Australian Girls Choir. In 1992, Knowles traveled to the United States to record Moonglow, her fifth album.

During 1997 Knowles wrote and performed a new musical composition at the Aboriginal Reconciliation Convention. In 1998, Knowles was appointed as one of the Inaugural Ambassadors for Reconciliation by the Reconciliation Council. Also in 1998, she was nominated for an Australian Humanitarian Award for her Services to the Arts.

In 1999 Knowles recorded and released her sixth album By Request, a compilation of some her most requested songs.

Recent career

In recent years, Knowles has continued to appear as a guest performer at corporate functions and on television, and has conducted several live concert tours around Australia.

In 2003, Knowles released "On A Clear Day" CD and appeared on MDA.

In September 2004 she opened the Karen Knowles Singing School with classes held in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

In 2006, Knowles partnered Richard Zachariah on the Seven Network celebrity singing program It Takes Two.

In 2010, Knowles performed at the IGA Lord Mayor's Carols in the City

In 2018 "By Request” Album Australia released

In 2018 “A Night of Carols” Album Australia re-released

In 2019 "Solid Ground" CD and digital download released

In 2019 "Karen Knowles Live in Concert" – digital video released

Sources: Karen Knowles official website

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[1]
You Are the Reason
  • Released: August 1981
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Fable (FBSA074)
 20
Love Us All
  • Released: May 1982
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Fable (FBSA075)
 42
The Third Time
  • Released: December 1982
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Fable (FBSA076)
 99
Especially for You
  • Released: 1984
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Fable (FABA103)
 -
Moonglow
  • Released: 1992
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: VTL (VTL 017)
 -

Compilation albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[1]
Wish I Was Loving You
  • Released: August 1983
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: J&B (JB145)
 19

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions
AUS
[1]
1980 "Why Won't You Explain" 12
1981 "You Are the Reason" / "One Step from Your Arms" 46
"I Never Said I Love You" -
1982 "Just for That" -
"Love Us All" -
1983 "You Don't Know Love" -

Awards and nominations

TV Week / Countdown Awards

Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.[2]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1980 Herself Best New Talent Nominated

References
  1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 169. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  2. "Countdown to the Awards" (Portable document format (PDF)). Countdown Magazine. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). March 1987. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
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