Chris Thomas King

Artist Information

New Orleans blues guitar legend, actor and author Chris Thomas King was cast by the Coen brothers to star as Tommy Johnson in the Oscar-winning movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? King delivered the unforgettable campfire performance “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues.” In the award-winning biopic Ray, King starred as Lowell Fulson and recorded the Oscar-winning score with Ray Charles. Chris Thomas King began his career performing in his father’s juke joint as a young teen. His debut album was released in 1986 by the venerable folk label Arhoolie Records. The prolific folk-blues recording artist has sold more than 10 million records and won Grammy and Country Music Awards. Chris Thomas King debuted his new single, the haunting “Gravedigger Gonna Cut You Down” in concert with bluegrass superstar Billy Strings. King is also an author and public speaker. His book The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture restores an important untold part of American history and reclaims New Orleans as the birthplace of the blues.