Biography

Songs from Knipp Holler is the debut album of Kentucky musician David Hansen. The album is a tribute to a great Appalachian songwriter, Sandy Knipp from Morehead, KY. The album consists of songs written exclusively by him. Knipp (1949-2012), was the step-father of David Hansen and a retired school teacher, principal and mentor to many. For over two decades he hosted ‘Bluegrass Diversion’, his radio program on Morehead State Public Radio. He was also the first director of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music, an Appalachian Treasure Award recipient as well as being integral in the founding of the Poppy Mountain Music Festival for which he served as promoter, emcee and booker through the events first eight years.

David Hansen assembled a collection of accomplished artists each with with their own ties to his stepfather on an album consisting of ten songs culled from a collection of over 200 posthumously discovered songs written by Knipp. Grammy nominee Don Rigsby plays mandolin and sings tenor. Rigsby who worked with and later succeeded him as director of the KCTM also included two of Knipp's songs, "Old Green Chevrolet" and "One Prayer Away" on his Hillbilly Heartache and The Voice of God albums respectively. Friend, Grammy winner (from his work with Ralph Stanley) and former Clinch Mountain boy John Rigsby was tapped to play fiddle on the album, while Knipp's son in law Jason Hale sings baritone and handles the bass. Together with David Hansen on lead vocals, guitar and banjo, these four men bring life to Sandy's previously unheard material.