Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 8, 2007 issue
The Gibson Brothers Bring Chart-Topping Bluegrass to the Hayes Center
Band Plays Saturday, February 10
Story by David Brewer
Talented chart-topping bluegrass band the Gibson Brothers will take the stage this Saturday night at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock. The show will start at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.brcac.org or at the Hayes Center box office.
It’s no secret that many of the biggest stars of bluegrass music often hail from far outside what might be considered the genre’s home territory of southern Appalachia. Growing up just this side of the Canadian border in New York State, the Gibson Brothers are a shining example of bluegrass’ wide-reaching influence.
Raised on classic country, brothers and bandleaders Eric and Leigh began playing music in their early teens, quickly falling under the spell of music by seminal bluegrass pioneers Flatt & Scruggs, Reno & Smiley, the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. Though awkwardly volunteered to perform for the first time at a church service by an overzealous minister, the brothers and their bandmates have gone on to release seven highly acclaimed albums.
Following the Gibson Brothers’ 1998 release of their fourth CD, Another Night of Waiting, bluegrass fans and critics began to take notice of the brothers’ unique style and the Gibson Brothers received the IBMA’s award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
Influenced by and drawing many comparisons to famed country duo the Louvin Brothers, the Gibson Brothers have gone outside of the typical bluegrass cannon to mine songs for their distinct brand of music. The band has covered songs from a variety of seemingly unlikely artists including Ray Charles, Bruce Robison and The Rolling Stones, while also penning memorable original bluegrass material.
The Gibson Brothers’ latest effort, entitled Red Letter Day, was released in early 2006 on seminal roots record label Sugar Hill to acclaim by both fans and critics. Featuring the unmistakable harmonies that Eric and Leigh have become known for, Red Letter Day got a musical boost from Del McCoury Band members Jason Carter and Ronnie McCoury.
The album, which went to #1 on the Albums Chart in the July issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, is the brothers’ third consecutive release to do so.
Currently, the Gibson brothers are joined on stage by longtime bassist Mike Barber, mandolin player Rick Hayes and fiddle player Clayton Campbell.
For more info about the Gibson Brothers’ show at the Hayes Center, click to www.brcac.org or call 828-295-9627.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hayes Performing Arts Center
Cost: $20