A List
9/11/00

GIBSON BROTHERS BAND TO PLAY AT ST. LAWRENCE

CANTON -- The traditional country and bluegrass sound of the 
Gibson Brothers Band will come to St. Lawrence University on 
Friday, September 22, with a concert at 9:30 p.m. in the North 
Star Pub, E.J. Noble University Center. The event is open to 
the public, free of charge.
	Eric and Leigh Gibson were raised on a family farm in 
Ellenburg Depot. The brothers, who have been playing and singing 
together since 1983, grew up listening to classic country artists 
such as Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, the Louvin Brothers, Webb Pierce, 
Jimmie Rodgers, Carl Smith and Hank Williams, as well as first-generation 
masters of bluegrass such as Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Jim & Jesse, 
Reno & Smiley and the Stanley Brothers. Second-generation stars such as 
Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice and Emmylou Harris were also major influences.
The Gibsons formed a bluegrass band in the early 90's, in which Eric played 
the banjo and Leigh, the guitar. Mike Barber rounded out the band on 
upright bass. The Gibson Brothers Band put a distinctive spin on both 
their well-crafted originals and well-chosen repertoire of traditional 
and contemporary songs. 
           In 1995, an International Bluegrass Music Association showcase 
introduced the band to an audience outside the Northeast. That showcase led 
to a recording deal with Hay Holler Records and appearances at such notable 
venues as the Ryman Auditorium and major bluegrass festivals across North 
America. Their debut Hay Holler release, Long Forgotten Dream (1996), reached 
Bluegrass Unlimited's singles and album charts, staying several months on 
each. 1998's Another Night of Waiting also met with critical acclaim and 
strong airplay.
           The high point of the success of the Gibsons' bluegrass band was 
1998, when they were honored by both the IBMA and the Bluegrass Now Fan's 
Choice Awards as the Emerging Artist of the Year. At the Fan's Choice Awards, 
the Gibsons caught the ear of Ricky Skaggs, who proceeded to sign them to his 
newly formed Ceili Music label. They  recently fulfilled a long-time dream by 
working with Skaggs on a traditional country album, to be released later this 
year. 

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