He was a longtime network orchestra member and sought-after studio musician skilled as a tympanist, percussionist and xylophone soloist.
He performed on shows broadcast during radio's golden age in Chicago, Illinois and a founding member of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (N.A.R.D.)
[1] Born October 26, 1891 in Waterloo, Iowa, Knapp learned to play various instruments through his father Jerry who owned a theater.
Working for the WLS radio station starting in 1928, he played on shows such as the National Barn Dance and the Don McNeil's Breakfast Club.
Within a short time, Knapp had assembled a faculty of top people including twelve artist-percussionists hand-picked for their teaching skills.