Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. McKnight’s musical career began in childhood in Buffalo, New York, when he became a member of his church, NY choir and a bandleader for his high school, Sweet Home High School. In 1987, McKnight’s older brother, Claude, and his band, Take 6, signed a record deal with Warner Brothers. This encouraged McKnight to shop his own demo tapes and by the age of 19, he’d signed his first recording deal with Mercury Records subsidiary Wing Records (McKnight ended up recording his albums for Mercury).

In 1992, the album simply titled “Brian McKnight” was released and was followed by two more albums for Mercury, 1995’s “I Remember You” and 1997’s “Anytime.” “Anytime” sold more than 2 million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. It was also his last album with Mercury Records. By 1998, McKnight had moved on to Motown Records.

He has released 11 albums to date and seven have gone platinum, with several going two and three times platinum. He has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.

McKnight has received numerous awards including Soul Train Awards and Image Awards, and numerous nominations including Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards and American Music Awards.

With seemingly endless talent, McKnight has used his vast industry knowledge as a red carpet host for Extra!, and has seen success in musical theater. In 2005 he toured with the production of  “Cheaters,” and in 2007 he stepped back onto Broadway with a run as Billy Flynn in “Chicago.” In 2006 McKnight scored the film “Daddy’s Little Girls” for director Tyler Perry, the same year he released the album “TEN.”

McNight is currently hosting “Soul Session Countdown with Brian McKnight” on BETJ, and has co-hosted “The Brian McKnight Morning Show” on KTWV the Wave Smooth Jazz radio station in Los Angeles for two years. A second radio show started in 2008, as “The Brian McKnight Show” took the air and is syndicated on ABC Radio coast to coast.

His current project is his new weekly late night talk show. “The Brian McKnight Show” premiered in September 2009. The show is a one-hour entertainment showcase featuring the hottest celebrities and personalities from the world of sports, acting, popular culture and music. The show is interactive and McKnight encourages fans to log in online and send questions for him and his guests.

McKnight’s newest album, “Evolution of a Man,” was released in September 2009 to legions of eagerly awaiting fans. The project features duets with Stevie Wonder and Jill Scott, and the first single “What I’ve Been Waiting For” features McKnight tackling a never before attempted reggae sound. The majority of the album will be a treat for McKnight fans, featuring the ballads that he is best known and loved for.

McKnight takes the stage at the Emerald Queen Casino’s I-5 Showroom, Sept. 11 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $49 to $81. Call (888) 831-7655 for tickets or visit www.ticketmaster.com.