Gip Gipson

Henry "Gip" Gipson (born c. 1920 in Uniontown, Perry County) is a former railroad car builder, the owner of the Pine Hill Cemetery and the proprietor of Gip's Place, a blues joint located in the back yard of his home on Avenue C in Bessemer.

Gipson worked at the Pullman Standard plant in Bessemer for 25 years before leaving to become a grave digger. He eventually purchased the Pine Hill Cemetery and continues to operate it himself.

An avid blues fan and part-time musician, Gipson began hosting barbecues in his back yard for musicians to entertain friends and neighbors. The weekend events grew in popularity and he gradually added a small enclosure with a stage. After members of the Magic City Blues Society "discovered" the venue, they helped build a roof over the shack.

References

• Reynolds, Ed (August 7, 2008) "The Juke Joint: An authentic blues experience lies only a few miles west of Birmingham." Black & White