The Knights Band
(Entertaining since circa 1983)
The Knights band was actually formed in the mid-80s and was called the "Country" Knights. The "Country" was dropped in the early 90s when it was discovered that the group had evolved into something else. It could no longer be classified as a Country Band. In fact, the band became so eclectic that it was difficult to define them at all. The best description that comes to mind is "Rockabilly and/or Country Rock." Yet, even those definitions don't completely define this group. The Knights play everything from classic country music to southern rock to bluegrass and folk music. Someone likened The Knights to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This is a definite compliment and while we appreciate the good words, we may play somewhat like the Dirt Band, but we also play a lot like a lot of other groups when asked. So, feel free to step into our world and see what The Knights are all about.
The band has undergone changes and has evolved into one of the most unique groups in the Treasure Valley. The core members are John and Henry, with a new drummer added 3 years ago (Joe Egusquiza).
John met Henry in the 60's and they have been friends ever since. At that time, Henry had his own group and John was playing drums in his own group. They met and found they had the same philosophy regarding music. Then when it came time -- in 1974 -- for them to get together, Henry was the only guitar player John called to fill the spot of a fine lead player that quit the group. This group, with Henry involved, stayed together till John had to leave for health reasons. John and Henry didn't get back together till 1982, but they were damned glad to re-form themselves into a working group where they currently reside as The Knights.
John and Henry are old road dogs. They've been there, seen that, and bought that T-shirt. They know what makes music good and how to put it together to please an audience. If they are playing, people are listening. They make music pleasant to the ear ... not a lot of distortion and other effects.
Featured Players:
John Belville: Plays Bass and Sings Harmony and Lead Vocals.
Henry Boynton: Plays Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo, also sings Harmony and Lead vocals.
Joe Egusquiza: Plays Drums and Sings Harmony and Lead Vocals.
John
John Began playing music at the ripe old age of 13. His instrument of choice at that time was drums. John played drums professionally from the age of 19 to the age of 45, at that time he switched to bass and has been playing bass ever since.
John began singing at the age of 10 when his mother [an operatic contralto] had him singing harmony with her. She taught him harmony vocals and how to sing lead within his singing range. The ability to sing harmony and play drums [not easy because there’s no notes to give you the pitch] at the same time. His mother, however, taught him to sing harmony to a singer’s voice rather than pitching his voice to an instrument.
John is currently playing a 5-string bass rather than the standard 4-string bass. He says the 5-string gives him much more “breadth of scale” than the 4-string and creates a more interesting “run” choice.
From 1969 to 1974, John played music on the road. However, when his family began multiplying by factors of one every three years, he and his wife Jackie decided to hang up the travel and see that the kids got a good education, not a home-schooled education. John has never looked back since that decision. He’s never crossed back into the Road Persona since.
In 1974, John re-met his old pal Henry Boynton who had recently moved from Idaho Falls, Idaho right next door to Caldwell, Idaho where John was settled in Nampa with his wife and kids. Henry was an old road dog himself and had met John in the early 60’s when they played in several of the same night clubs with different bands. They struck up the friendship that was to hold them in good stead when they both arrived in the Treasure Valley.
Henry
Henry [Friendly Henry] Boynton grew up and graduated from high school in Emmett, Idaho. Being kind of shy, when he discovered the guitar, he let the instrument do the talking for him. He learned to be musically disciplined. He learned to be a great lead guitar player. He would be called, in musical nomenclature, a “flat picker” rather than a “finger picker.” The band just thinks of him as a "great picker."
Early in his professional career, Henry made the decision to become a "country music" picker and let his bluegrass side simmer on the back burner.
Henry's soul comes alive playing rockabilly and blues. Multitalented and multi-instrumented, he's the driving force behind The Knights and their success. Henry has been musically influenced by the likes of Merle Travis, Joe Maphis, Jethro Burns, Sam Bush, Douglas Dillard, and Buddy Holly. He's performed with Ray Price, Skeets MacDonald, George Jones, Roger Miller, Johnny Paycheck, Wynn Stewart, and Leon McAuliffe.
He has actually played with Skeets McDonald, Roger Miller and Johnny Paycheck.
Henry loves music. He teaches guitar, banjo and mandolin to make ends meet and to allow him the comfort of playing music with The Knights. Henry is the only "true" full time musician in the band. When they say "music is my life," well, in Henry's case, that's really the truth.
Joe
"I grew up listening to Bob Wills & The Texas Troupadors like Hank Senior, Sonny James, Hank Lockland and a whole bunch of old time gospel music on the ol' Victrola. Listining was all we could do when I was a kid unless you went to the movies -- darn no TV yet, but a great way to be raised [entertaining yourself rather than sitting in front of the tube].
"I began my career at the age of 15 playing in bars as a set in for occasional bands in Glenns Ferry, Idaho.
"Met a guy in '64 by the name of Fred Bennett (yep)…That would be Pinto. We made music with two other great guys Jim Ghetty, and Dennis Ashley, from Mountain Home, Idaho. We cut one '45' and had a chance to record for RCA and Decca both, but I had joined the armed service [not drafted] so there went the pickin' career. Uncle sam called and music and me went our separate ways. I have giged with others but those are none quite as fun as Pinto.
"Been married twice, number two is the greatest. I have four great children, three great stepchildren and six wonderful grandchildren.
"After building a totally boring career with the Union Pacific Railroad as an engineer, and after nearly 27 years of laying out of music, I'm back doing what I love in life. So, sit back and enjoy The Knights Band get down with some good ol' Rockabilly and Country Music drumin' by yours truly.
THE MUSIC
The Knights Band have currently three CD’s recorded and would be pleased as punch to have you own one or three of them.
The Knights Live
- The South’s Gonna Do It
- Blackjack County Chain
- San Antonio Rose
- Queen of the Road
- Four in the Morning
- Third Rate Romance
- Oh Pretty Woman
- Mr. Bojangles
- Pride
- Dry Town
- Good Hearted Woman
- Let It Roll
- Funny How Time Slips Away
Hot Summer Knights
- The Taker/I’ve Always Been Crazy
- Why You Been Gone So Long
- Fast As You
- Only Daddy
- Oh What a Silent Night
- You Asked Me to
- The Race Is on
- Stars on the Water
- Mr. Bojangles
- Rock Medley
- Great Balls of Fire
- Elvis Medley
- Summertime Blues
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Dedicated to Our Fallen Heroes
- I Walk the Line Revisited
- Folsom Prison Blues
- Above and Beyond
- Elvis Medley II
- Ripple
- Waylon Jennings Medley
- Don’t Push Me Too Far
- Country Medley
- South of the Border
- Someone to Give My Love to
- Hey Good Lookin
- Hello Trouble
- Roger Miller Medley [songs that Roger wrote]
- Gentle on My Mind
- I Am a Pilgrim
If you would like to purchase one of our CDs, just send $12.50 check or money order to
John Belville
212 S Olive St.
Nampa, ID 83686
Our 4th CD will be out shortly. In fact, it's in the can as of this writing 2/4/07. It's our 'song writers' album and it'll be good. A lot of the songs are great, but they are songs you've probably never heard on popular country stations, and that's what makes 'em good.