I'm Pete Knapp. I operate Shut Eye Records & Agency - an Atlanta tradition steeped in Americana music since 1996. I promote excellent alt. country, roots, folk, and all other types of Americana music to 300+ radio stations in the US and around the world. My company also offers a publicity service to record labels, signed artists, and independent artists. Shut Eye also books/buys talent for festivals, venues and events.

I cut my teeth in the music industry as a DJ at WGHR 102.5fm at Southern Polytechnic in Marietta, GA with a show called Knapptime which focused on local music. After that I became a consultant at the music technology company, GroovePort, Inc. where I worked with clients and vendors as diverse as London-Sire, J-Bird Records, Ubiquity Records and its sub-labels, as well as over 100 other independent labels in licensing and content acquisition. I also worked at Planet Jam Media Group in business development, country format radio promotion, and content acquisition.

As a musician, I've played in a bunch of great bands, including CMJ-charting act, Atomsplit (2000 to 2003) - we even had a video on MTV2! From 1999 to 2001 I played bass and shared vocal duties in the multigenerational roots rock band The Indicators. I was also a member of pop-rock act Nillah on guitar (1998 - 2000), as well as the guitarist of goth-alterna-pop band Painting Churches (1994 - 1996). I'm currently in the planning stages of my return to the stage, but don't plan on a live performance until I finish working on my dance moves. I play Fender and G&L guitars through Fender amps.

When I'm not doing music, I spend most of my time in and around Atlanta. In the summer I spend my free time in various inflatible, man-powered watercraft on the Chattahoochee River. On the real hot days I go to the Boltong home in East Point and soak in their kiddie pool and solve the worlds problems through conversation and drink. We call it The Manaquarium.

I love the Atlanta Braves. I go to as many of the Businessman's Specials at Turner Field as I can. When I'm not in Turner Field rooting on the Atlanta Braves, I'm racing around in the parking lot of Turner Field competing in SOLO II Autocross in my 1976 Datsun 280z coupe.

When I'm not in Atlanta, you can find me in New Orleans, Nashville, Knoxville or Texas soaking up the local colour. I love auto racing. Twice a year you can find me at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the grandstands dreaming that I was in one of the 43 cars on the lead lap. It's kind of a Walter Mitty thing. I even wrote a song about it.

I am married to Lanna Caroline Knapp. She's pretty and has big green eyes. She is a big part of the Shut Eye experience. She keeps me organized and sane. We like to travel, eat delicious foods, and daydream. We laugh, laugh and laugh all day long. She's my best friend and my biggest supporter. I believe I'm quite possibly the luckiest fella in the world.

Seriously.