Biography

DETAILED INFORMATION FOR "HORSES & HORSEPOWER"
Horses & Horsepower is the sophomore album from Dunlap & Mabe. Returning 

personnel are Jack Dunlap on guitar, Robert Mabe on banjo, Alex Kimble on bass, and 

Mason Wright is on fiddle. The original quartet that makes up Dunlap & Mabe shines 

tighter and more robust than before, with a whole new list of songs, arrangements, and 

approach to writing and performing bluegrass music. 

A new addition is Danny Knicely on mandolin. Danny adds a whole new element 

to the band, with his thoughtful solos and brilliant abilities. Also new to this album is the 

guest appearance of 3 of Jack’s siblings, Buddy Dunlap, Elizabeth Baker, and Mary 

Dunlap. Each one lends their voice to a track written for their father who passed away 

in October 2022, with Buddy sitting in on Dobro (which he does from time to time at live 

shows). 

Horses & Horsepower is an excellent follow-up to the band’s first album. Featuring six 

originals penned by Jack, three by his brother Buddy, and one New Grass Revival cover, 

This album is an excellent example of the growth of the band over the last year and is very 

exciting for what lies ahead. 

 

1. Lose Me (Jack Dunlap) (8:58) 

ISRC: QZNWQ2311562 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocal 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle and vocals 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Written by Jack Dunlap 

Published by Frogtown Music (BMI) 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe, and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana

“In 2019, I was on tour with Robert. We played at this bar in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Afterward, Rob and our fiddle player at the time wanted to stay and hang out, so I went 

to the van to practice my mandolin. Messing around with some “diminished” ideas, I 

thought it would be cool to write some lyrics I could sing while I played this melody. 

Shortly after that, Lose Me was born. At the time, I was still focused on The Jack Dunlap 

The band was my main project, so it was written as more of a funk tune to play with the sax 

and drums. The lyrics are written to say that I’m gonna do things how I like to do them 

and I don’t care if other people don’t like it. Hence, this album kicked off with a 9 

minute song in G diminished.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

Keep on a walkin’ 

Keep walkin’ girl 

Keep on a walkin’ walk all around this world 

You made me a loser 

You took all I own 

You pulled away your mask your true self is shown 

You can use me till there ain’t no more to use 

You can lose me cause what I got to choose 

My best buddy hey what you got to prove? 

When you walk in high and mighty like you’ve got lifts on your shoes 

Keep on a talkin’ like I won’t call your bluff 

Your words they mean nothing like a promise on the cuff 

So you can use me till there ain’t no more to use 

You can lose me cause what I got to choose 

Take me or leave me. I don’t care either way 

With questions left unanswered by what you had to say 

You swore you would be here but now you can’t be found 

I don’t need you, honey so you can turn around 

And you can use me till there ain’t no more to use 

You can lose me cause what I got 

You can use me till there ain’t no more to use 

You can lose me cause what I got to choose 

 

2. Running (Jack Dunlap) (2:49) 

ISRC: QZDA42313101 

Musicians 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocal 

Robert Mabe: Banjo 

Alex Kimble: Bass 

Mason Wright: Fiddle 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Written by Jack Dunlap 

Published by Frogtown Music (BMI) 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe, and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“Running started as a song I wrote about my tendencies to procrastinate and 

leave things until the last minute. It is also a good representation of how I’m always 

working and struggling to take time away from work to relax and recharge. It 

works along with someone who travels for work, like a musician or a truck driver, and the 

life of constantly going and working towards the next destination.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

Put the pedal to the floor the clouds are rolling in 

I can hear the thunder roll, see the lightning up ahead 

I guess it’s in my nature, some things you can’t outgrow 

If there’s a better way to live, this running’s all I know 

This running’s all I know 

Well once I had a love, she treated me so fair 

Each night I held her close, but she was unaware 

That another was calling, one no man could tame 

So I left it all behind me, to play this foolish game 

Cause in the end it’s all the same 

It’ll be the end of me push your knife right through my soul 

In a never ending flame burning out of control 

If you wanna smooth things over don’t think I’ll be around 

Like a driving rain in a hurricane I’m out of this town 

I’m out of this town 

Put the pedal to the floor the clouds are rolling in 

I can hear the thunder roll, see the lightning up ahead 

I guess it’s in my nature, some things you can’t outgrow 

If there’s a better way to live, this running’s all I know 

This running’s all I know 

This running’s all I know 

 

3. God Only Knows (Buddy Dunlap) (3:04) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339702 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Written by Buddy Dunlap 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“My older brother Buddy is an extremely talented musician and songwriter. We 

Cut one of his songs on the last record and put three on this one. To me, this one has a 

It has a classic country vibe, something I have a hard time writing on my own, but Buddy gets it. It’s a great story of lost love and helps the band show the lighter side of their 

playing.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

I caught her crying again 

It’s not the first time that I’ve seen her that way 

But lately, she ain’t been herself 

We grow more distant every day 

I did my best to show 

That I still love her, and I still care 

But there’s no use to hold on 

To something that’s no longer there 

So I guess she’s made up her mind 

And she’s leaving me for good 

I asked for her to stay, but she doesn’t think she should 

She says she needs some change 

Change I can’t give her I know well 

I wonder why she went away 

God only knows but he won’t tell 

I’ve never been one to drink 

But now the bottle’s my best friend 

It helps to kill the pain 

And allows my broken heart to mend 

I know I need to move on 

But my mind just won’t allow 

It thinks that maybe she’ll be back 

And we can work this out somehow 

But I know she’s made up her mind 

And she’s gone from me for good 

I begged her not to go but in my heart I knew she would 

If I could only change the past 

Before I was in this hell 

Would she still wanna go away 

God only knows but he won’t tell 

Will I ever love again? 

God only knows but he won’t tell 

4. River’s Running Dry (Jack Dunlap) (2:53) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339703 

Musicians 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle and vocals 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Written by Jack Dunlap 

Published by Frogtown Music (BMI) 

Arranged by Robert Mabe and Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“I feel like River’s Running Dry was kind of a turning point for how the band 

arranges our harmonies. I wrote this song during a snowstorm in January 2022 and 

brought it to the band shortly after that. It’s about how we all can collectively agree that 

There’s a problem we need to address, but the powers that be don’t do much to 

solve those issues. We started throwing it in the set and eventually landed on a solid 

arrangement. This was one of the first tunes we cut for this record in August 2022. 

Rob, Alex, and I were at my place rehearsing the harmonies, and I was recording 

everybody’s parts so they could practice for the studio. To mess with Alex, I slowed his 

part down and let the song play through. By the time it got to the last chorus, it was in an 

It’s almost a perfect round. I thought that was brilliant, so I started working on that. Mason 

didn’t sing much for as long as I’ve known him, so I remember sitting in a 

Colorado hotel room a week or so later, showing Mason his part. After that, I started all 

sorts of ways we could add in the extra harmony part, and even started including Danny 

on some arrangements. To me, it’s elevated us as a band and as vocalists, giving 

us a whole new element to play with, which we do throughout this album.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

Cast aside you can’t run or hide from the feelings that are burning deep down inside 

Ready or not give it all you got cause the world is burning and the flames are hot 

Clouds are falling from the sky 

Still the river’s running dry 

The roots of rot spilling from the pot pull back the string and take your best shot 

It’s a load to bear give up your cares as the arrow flies firm through the air 

The world is crumbling down 

No trace of us can be found 

Well I travel around from town to town the story’s the same no matter the crown 

If I carry this load up and down the road it’s just a matter of time till the heart erodes 

With rubble falling to the ground 

No trace of us can be found 

The world is crumbling down 

With rubble falling to the ground 

Cities are starting to drown 

No trace of us can be found 

Cast aside you can’t run or hide from the feelings that are burning deep down inside 

Ready or not give it all you got cause the world is burning and the flames are hot 

Clouds are falling from the sky (Clouds are falling from the sky) 

Still the river’s running dry (Still the river’s running dry) 

The world is crumbling down 

No trace of us can be found 

5. The Dancer (Sam Bush/Steven F. Brines) (3:45) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339704 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and lead vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle 

Danny Knicely 

Written by Sam Bush and Steven F. Brines 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap and Robert Mabe 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe, and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“New Grass Revival is one of our all-time favorite bands. We started doing this 

one back in 2020. We thought about arranging it closer to the original, but we decided to 

put our own spin on it and do it in a more traditional bluegrass style. Rob changes the 

The lyrics are slightly on this one, too. See if you can spot it.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

He reaches for the dancer as if he's got the right 

And everybody knows the old man's stoned 

More than forty years too late for what he never was 

While everything he was got watered down 

She's half busy dancing, her eyes red from the smoke 

And red because she's seen it all before 

She smiles without excitement and steps back in the spotlight 

And throws a dancing shadow on the floor 

And she's every empty-handed dream he ever left behind him 

Leaning on a bottle on his way down to the floor 

Thinking she's the one to tell him that it's alright 

And he wants that worse than anything he ever lost before 

Maybe he's been married, maybe he's been not 

But either way, right now he's all alone 

All the time his friends were busy growing up 

All he was, was busy growing old 

Now his feet are both unsteady but he waves when people laugh 

And each time that she smiles he thinks they've spoke 

Even when she's thinking 'bout, thinking about him 

But all she's thinking 'bout is going home 

And she's every empty-handed dream he ever left behind him 

Leaning on a bottle on his way down to the floor 

Thinking she's the one to tell him that it's alright 

And he wants that worse than anything he ever lost before 

And she's every empty-handed dream he ever left behind him 

Leaning on a bottle on his way down to the floor 

Thinking she's the one to tell him that it's alright 

And he wants that worse than anything he ever lost before 

6. One More Time (Jack Dunlap) (5:30) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339705 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle and vocals 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin and vocals 

Written by Jack Dunlap 

Published by Frogtown Music (BMI) 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“Here’s another song I wrote to perform as The Jack Dunlap Band. I wrote this 

song with the idea of addiction and perfectionism in mind. Whether it’s the usual 

culprits, or maybe you need one more try to get that lick right, or maybe you’re 

going back to that relationship one more time. The band shines on this one, 

instrumentally and vocally. Danny has a fantastic lonesome high baritone line on 

this that gets me every time.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

One more time is all it takes to put a smile on my face 

So let me feel your warm embrace and pass it on just one more time 

I’ve said before that I was done but now I swear I need just one 

That will be the end when it’s gone so pass it on just one more time 

(One more time) 

One more time, one more time 

Pass it on just one more time 

You play the fool yet still try 

Cause you may not get just one more time 

All that stuff inside your head filled with the words you wish you’d said 

You’ve lost before but you’re not dead so pass it on just one more time 

(One more time) 

One more time, one more time 

Pass it on just one more time 

You play the fool yet still try 

Cause you may not get just one more time 

So much time has passed us by still we scratch our heads and wonder why 

You play the fool yet still try cause you may not get just one more time 

(One more time) 

You play the fool yet still try cause you may not get just one more time 

You play the fool yet still try cause you may not get just one more time 

7. Is That So Hard (Buddy Dunlap) (3:28) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339706 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Written by Buddy Dunlap 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“Here’s another great one written by my older brother Buddy. We used to do this 

one together in Bud’s Collective as more of a straightforward slow bluegrass tune. I 

love the more new-grassy spin we put on it here, and even though in some easter eggs 

from the original version in case there’s any hardcore Bud’s Collective fans out there.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

I know the reason now for all those old songs 

The ones of heartbreak and regret 

And I have loved you darlin’ now for so long 

And you’re the one that I just can’t forget 

Your love it came to me one summer evening 

Though I had loved you for a long long time 

But now you’ve gone away and left me grieving 

And I’m slowly dying body soul and mind 

Is it hard for you to see how much I love you 

And to know I only wanna be your man 

I wanna hold you in my arms forever 

Darling is that so hard to understand 

So I’ll have to learn to live without your love dear 

And I’ll have to find a way to carry on 

But life won’t be the same not having you here 

And I’ll have to face the fact that you are gone 

Is it hard for you to see how much I love you 

And to know I only wanna be your man 

I wanna hold you in my arms forever 

Darling is that so hard to understand 

Is it hard for you to see how much I love you 

And to know I only wanna be your man 

I wanna hold you in my arms forever 

Darling is that so hard to understand 

8. Shadow’s Den (Jack Dunlap) (3:34) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339707 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle and vocals 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Written by Jack Dunlap 

Published by Frogtown Music (BMI) 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

“I wrote Shadow’s Den early one morning. I started messing with the melody on 

guitar when the first verse came to me. It’s a cheating song but unlike most bluegrass 

cheating songs, this is from the point of view of the person cheating. I wanted to capture 

the feeling of something happening in the heat of the moment and the regret that 

follows. I think we’ve all been there at some point in our lives, whether it’s something we 

want to admit or not, and I drew from that. Not necessarily cheating on your spouse or 

loved one, but being in the wrong place and at the wrong time and not doing anything to 

change your situation.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

The sun is slowly sinking down 

To bring twilight on this quiet town 

As the moonlight grows the shadows fade 

As the world waits to be remade 

How can a love that’s true be so blind 

As it weighs upon my heart and mind 

The voices say you musn’t lie 

There’s a dawn when you can retry 

When the sun comes up to warm the dew 

To light the way, start a new 

What will remain will trust survive 

The soul will fail if it’s been deprived 

The soul will fail if it’s been deprived 

I’ve done my best been true to you 

Tried to walk the path to see it through 

But now I find myself in shadow’s den 

Never to have your trust again 

What’s done is done will always be 

All things must end and so must we 

But when the sun comes up to bring the light 

The dawn begins to end the night 

When the sun comes up to warm the dew 

To light the way, start a new 

What will remain will trust survive 

The soul will fail if it’s been deprived 

The soul will fail if it’s been deprived 

9. Horses & Horsepower (Jack Dunlap) (3:51) 

ISRC: QZHN52391954 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo 

Alex Kimble: Bass 

Mason Wright: Fiddle 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin 

Buddy Dunlap: Dobro and vocals 

Elizabeth Baker: Vocals 

Mary Dunlap: Vocals 

Written by Jack Dunlap 

Published by Frogtown Music (BMI) 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Recorded by Will Shenk 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer on July 9th, 2022. He passed away on 

October 29th, later that year. Throughout his fight with cancer, I wanted to write a tribute 

to him, but couldn’t get anything to stick until my sister Jill, her husband James, and I 

met with the funeral home to go over arrangements and write the obituary. When we got 

In the hobbies portion, we talked about how he loved riding horses, driving muscle cars 

and how he was a truck driver his whole life, to which my brother-in-law said, “He loved 

horses and horsepower.” I went home that day and started writing the song. 

I’m so pleased to have three of my five siblings playing and singing in this tribute to our 

dad. They all knocked their performance out of the park, and I know he’d be proud of the 

legacy he left behind that I see in all of my siblings.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

Dust is settling again, make me feel like jumping in 

Turn her over and take her for a ride 

Spray the gravel haul the load weld the rubber to the road 

It’s a natural thing like the moon pulls on the tide 

Fire it up burn it down, feel the heat all around 

As the flames climb higher to the tower 

When the smoke fills the air, have no fear I’ll be there 

As we struggle to repent our final hour 

Horses and horsepower 

Feel it underneath my feet, as the road push back the heat 

My heart so tense it’s bound to explode 

But she’s waiting there for me, with our babies two by three 

So I’ll countdown with the white lines in the road 

Fire it up burn it down, feel the heat all around 

As the flames climb higher to the tower 

When the smoke fills the air, have no fear I’ll be there 

As we struggle to repent our final hour 

Horses and horsepower 

Time to get back on track, as the sweat pours off my back 

Dig my boots a little deeper in his side 

You must think I’m insane, to hold on to the mane 

But there’s no better thrill than hanging on the ride 

Fire it up burn it down, feel the heat all around 

As the flames climb higher to the tower 

When the smoke fills the air, have no fear cause I’ll be there 

As we struggle to repent our final hour 

Horses and horsepower 

10. Outta Here (Buddy Dunlap) (6:10) 

ISRC: QZNWR2339708 

Musicians: 

Jack Dunlap: Guitar and lead vocals 

Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals 

Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals 

Mason Wright: Fiddle and vocals 

Danny Knicely: Mandolin and vocals 

Written by Buddy Dunlap 

Arranged by Jack Dunlap 

Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe and Will Shenk 

Genres: Bluegrass, Folk, Americana 

“Here’s one more written by my brother Buddy. We originally recorded this 

together on the first Bud’s Collective album back in 2015. We put our own spin 

on this one, and it’s a great way to end the record and our live shows. The theme of this 

song is the same as Lose Me; I don’t need you, so get lost. It serves as 

Cool bookends for the album.” 

-Jack Dunlap 

Lyrics: 

You used to cry over nothing at all 

At the littlest things like a movie or a song 

But the day that you left me you never shed one tear 

That’s how I knew you were outta here 

Outta here can’t help but wonder where you’re going 

Outta here and I’m left without knowing 

How long you’ll be gone 

An hour or a year 

I just know when you come back 

You’re outta here 

Where will you go will you travel alone 

Will you find someone new while I’m sitting here at home 

But when you get back maybe you should fear 

I’ll meet you at the door, you’re outta here 

Outta here can’t help but wonder where you’re going 

Outta here and I’m left without knowing 

How long you’ll be gone 

An hour or a year 

I just know when you come back 

You’re outta here 

Outta here can’t help but wonder where you’re going 

Outta here and I’m left without knowing 

How long you’ll be gone 

An hour or a year 

I just know when you come back 

You’re outta here 

Well how long you’ll be gone 

An hour or a year 

I just know when you come back 

You’re outta here




Jack Dunlap & Robert Mabe have been touring the country together since 2019; though collectively have performed and recorded with the likes of Larry Keel, Gina Furtado, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Scythian, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Bud's Collective, The Fly Birds, Dry Mill Road, Old Town Flood, Shannon Bielski & Moonlight Drive, Tim, and Savannah Finch and The Eastman Stringband, Lonesome Highway, Circa Blue, and Jakobs Ferry Stragglers, to name a few. 

They have also graced prestigious stages all over the country, such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska, The Hamilton in Washington, DC, and Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg, VA. In 2019, Robert brought Jack into the Robert Mabe Band to fill the vacant guitar spot. At the time, Jack was prominently a mandolinist. He had played mandolin with Bud's Collective since 2012 and had his own Jack Dunlap Band, which featured mandolin, saxophone, bass, and drums, playing Jazz-Grass and funk primarily. When 2020 hit and tours were canceled, they each turned to different things to make ends meet. 

Jack focused on playing solo gigs while Robert worked odd jobs around his town. Towards the end of 2020, Jack started delving back into guitar and found a new love for Bluegrass music, the style he had grown up playing. He began writing for a Bluegrass/Newgrass album so he could explore the guitar more. Jack brought Robert in to play banjo on the record. When word started to spread about the new project, more and more performance requests began coming in. The Jack Dunlap Band went from Funky Jazzgrass to Bluegrass/Newgrass. 

At the same time, the Robert Mabe Band began to pick up work again. Mid 2020, Jack and Robert decided to become partners, thus forming Dunlap & Mabe. Jack's solo record became what is now Stumblin' Out The Gate, the band's debut record. The band currently features Jack on guitar, Robert on banjo, Alex Kimble on bass, Mason Wright on fiddle, and Danny Knicely on mandolin. 

All masters of their instruments play a mix of original tunes, classic bluegrass numbers, jazz favorites, and covers anyone would recognize. With roots planted firmly in bluegrass, they stretch their sound in ways that all audiences will enjoy and leave the performance wanting more. 

Bell Buckle Records / Valerie Smith / PO Box 94 / Somerset, VA 22972 / bellbucklerecords@gmail.com / 931-639-3004