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Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt was born on November 12, 1965 in Jacksonville, Florida and after being adopted moved to Zebulon, Georgia. He got into music pretty early in life; he began composing songs when he was just five years old. As a teenager, Chesnutt became a part of the cover band ‘Sundance' as a trumpet player. He was not disabled by birth; driving while drunk in 1983 led to a car accident, which altered his life. He became partially paralyzed and ever since has been dependent on a wheelchair. In spite of the tragic outcome, Chesnutt did not lose hope and continued to pursue music and his musical career blossomed. His paralysis seemed a blessing in disguise, earlier he had not read many books but after the accident, he became a voracious reader. He shifted to Athens as he felt that the place was well suited with his artistic lifestyle. After shifting, he joined the band ‘The La Di Das', and finally began playing solo in a regular spot at the 40-Watt Club. While playing at the club, he was noticed by Michael Stipe of R.E.M. Stipe went on to produce Chesnutt's first two efforts ‘Little' (1990) and ‘West of Rome' (1991).
Despite the fact that much of Chesnutt's music is autobiographical, he has also recorded many songs pertaining to completely fictional characters and situations. It is not always easy to distinguish between facts and fiction, and listeners and reviewers have frequently mistaken a fully fictional story-based song as representing Chesnutt's own experiences.
Chesnutt was into drug and alcohol in his initial days, it is believed that his third effort ‘Drunk' (1993) was recorded mostly in a state of drunkenness.
With the release of the tribute album ‘Sweet Relief II: Gravity of The Situation' in 1996, Chesnutt's music was revealed to a larger audience. The album comprised of Chesnutt covers by celebrated musicians like Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins (with Red Red Meat), Madonna and R.E.M.
Chesnutt has collaborated with other groups and artists; he recorded two albums with GA group ‘Widespread Panic', under the nick- name of ‘Brute'. One of his albums ‘The Salesman and Bernadette' released in 1998 had alt-country group ‘Lambchop' supporting him. In 2000, he came out with yet another album ‘Merriment' for which he joined forces with Kelly and Nikki Keneipp. A year later he came out with the album ‘Left to His Own Devices'. He continued to record albums, and the latest from his coffer is ‘North Star Deserter'.
Discography:
• 2007 North Star Deserter
• 2005 Extra Credit EP
• 2005 Ghetto Bells
• 2003 Silver Lake
• 2001 Left to his Own Devices
• 2000 Merriment
• 1998 The Salesman and Bernadette
• 1996 About to Choke
• 1995 Is the Actor Happy?
• 1993 Drunk
• 1991 West Of Rome
• 1990 Little
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Vic Chesnutt is the popular singer- songwriter who in spite of his shortcomings has battled all odds to reach where he is today.
