Singer/Songwriter Blues Guitarist Damian Knapp has been pursuing his musical path for over a decade. He has shared the stage with several national blues acts, including Magic Slim, John Hammond, Little Ed & the Blues Imperials, Watermelon Slim, Back Door Slam, Eric Sardinas, Anthony Gomes, and Foghat.
A participant at the 2006 and 2007 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, Damian fulfilled a lifelong dream when he performed on historic Beal St. and at Morgan Freeman’s world famous ‘Ground Zero’ which is located in Clarksdale, MS, the home of the Delta Blues. After traveling south, he headed east and showcased in NYC three times for Elmore Magazine and Eagle Rock Records. In their August 2007 issue, Elmore stated, “Damian Knapp is well-versed in the blues and plays a mean slide guitar.” While living in Columbus, OH from 2006-08, he caught the attention of the Columbus Blues Alliance, and was booked at many of their festivals and events, including the 2005 & 2008 Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, 2005 & 2006 COMFEST, and their Traditional Acoustic Festival in 2006.
Recently, Damian has re-formed his electric blues trio, Fester Presley, which he describes as a ”Rust Belt Blues Slide Guitar Boogie”. WNCD Youngstown 93.3 FM “Tangled Up In Blues” radio host Cornel Bogdan summed up his opinion when he was quoted saying, “Damian is old school as it comes. He’s back porch blues, and that’s what I love about him.”
Damian has released three CD‘s during his career: “Final Justice” (2002); “Hellhounds and Hot Foot Powder” (2003); and the critically acclaimed “Will You Cry When I Die?” (2006). “Will You Cry When I Die?” was signed to the Chicago online indie music site Fresh Tracks Music, from which he was culled to perform for the anti-smoking Debunkify Mobile Tour when he headlined the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio on Jan 27th, 2007.
Damian plans on recording a new original Blues CD in 2009. Check back for more details.