Karen Knowles is an Australian singer and songwriter. From 1975 to 1980 she was a member of
the popular Australian television program Young Talent Time. She began her solo recording and
performance career in 1980 when she signed to Ron Tudor’s Fable label releasing
“Why won’t you explain” which peaked at the No 1 spot on the Perth and Hobart charts and
in the Top 10 singles chart nationally achieving sales of 50K copies earning Karen a gold record
for her first single. Her next charting album You are the Reason achieved platinum status and
her second album Loves Us All earned her another gold record. As a singer / actress she played
the female lead in Big River touring Melbourne Sydney Brisbane and Adelaide in an 18 month tour.
Soon after Karen joined the legendary group The Seekers and toured nationally and internationally
with the band for two years.
Karen appeared as a guest featured solo artist regularly on various television programs
including Hey Hey it’s Saturday, The Don Lane Show, The Bert Newton show, The Mike Walsh
show and was a regular judge on Bert Newton’s New Faces.
She regularly performs at her In Concert performances at arts centres nationally and throughout
her solo career has released 8 studio recordings and various Best Of Karen Knowles have been
released over the years.
Her most recent recordings Solid Ground and Sanctuary include various compositions written or
co-written by Karen that are informed by her connection to country informed by her travels
throughout Australia while on tour. She was asked to sing and record three Wirradjirri songs by
lore woman Min Mia which were agreed to be included on her Solid Ground album as Min Mia’s
sacred gift to the women of Australia.
Karen continues to write music that is informed by a listening ear to the world and sings with
the full gamut of expression gained by a life in song.