It’s also worth mentioning that Knipp’s album was on the ballot for a Grammy nomination, and although that fell through and she didn’t make it to a nomination, she feels like the nod from the Grammy organization was a serious gift to her career, stating, “The experience of being on the ballot for nomination consideration was extra special. The radio support for my album has also meant so much to me, especially overseas, as it has translated to more direct sales of my CDs and downloads online.”
Knipp has worked very hard to get to where she is, and she is grateful for her musical career. She has a degree in opera, of which you can tell by her full-throated singing style, and in conjunction with her love of piano and Dobro, Knipp has created the sound she has become known for. “I cherish every moment and just feel completely grateful. I definitely feel pressure to always do better than my previous albums, but it’s a good kind of pressure because all it really comes down to is the desire for constant growth. Music is so wonderful that way because you can never stop growing your craft on different instruments, styles, and writing.”
It’s been her strong drive and deep appreciation of her audience that makes creating music so fun for her. Performing and recording are two very different experiencing, but Knipp enjoys both. “Recording tends to be a bit more challenging because there is no audience energy/communication transfer, but it’s nice to be able to do a second take.” As far as her live performances go, even amid the stage fright, she loves the energy and vibe of being onstage, “I feel like a kid on a trampoline. It’s wonderful, and I always want to bear hug every single person afterward. That being said, I do also have more moments, especially with high-pressure solo opening act gigs for famous people like Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, and Joan Osborne, where my stage fright can kick in pretty brutally. No one seems to notice, but it sometimes feels like I might pass out. I am learning to deal with it as best I can through mediation so I can HAVE FUN!”
Knipp is in the planning stages for her next studio album in the fall. She wants to continue to create music that resonates with her soul with lyrics that express her personal truth. She is a woman on the go, climbing the ladder of musical success on her own terms and with her own vision intact.