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Hit songwriter performing in Erhard [UPDATED]
Published 10:39am Friday, August 24, 2012 Updated 10:39am Friday, August 24, 2012He has written six number one country songs for artists, including Alabama, Tanya Tucker and Montgomry Gentry, and on Saturday David Gibson is coming all the way from Nashville, Tenn. to Erhard to play some of his own music.
Gibson will play at Hillbillies in Erhard after the 10-88 Motorcycle Run for Stadum Fest. The event will go to the families of firefighters, emergency responders and law enforcement personnel who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
Gibson doesn’t have any connections to the area, but all it took was a phone call and explanation of the event, and he decided to make the 1,000-mile trip to put on a show.
“I started singing when I was very young,” he said. “I grew up in west Texas, and Elvis was my hero.”
Other influences included Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Wilson Pickett and The Beatles. After playing with a band in Chicago for eight years, Gibson’s song writing talent landed him in Nashville in 1982 where he only had to wait one year before writing his first big song, Midnight Fire, which put country music star Steve Wariner on the top five country music chart.
“I was pretty fortunate to have a hit my first year in Nashville,” Gibson said.
After writing number one hit songs including “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind” (Confederate Railroad), “If it Don’t Come Easy” (Tanya Tucker), “Jukebox in My Mind” (Alabama) and “Queen of Memphis” (Confederate Railroad), Gibson decided to commit to performing again. He joined forces with Bill Miller to form the Gibson/Miller Band in 1990.
In 1992, the band had their biggest song, “High Rollin.” The group only stayed together for four years, however, and after two albums, Gibson and Miller went their separate ways.
Today, Gibson is the president and chief creative officer of Savannah Music Group, a grass roots music publishing company. He also travels around performing his music as a solo artist.
“I really enjoy playing and performing,” Gibson said. “It’s the highlight of being a singer/songwriter. You get to meet the folks that come out to watch, and they are the ones who end up buying the music.”
The 10-88 Fun Run will leave Erhard at noon. The ride will make stops at Billy’s in Vergas, Whiskey River Bar and Grill in Perham, Chagen’s Pub in Henning and the American Legion Post 489 in Underwood. Following the run will be a dinner at 5 p.m. at Hillbillies in Erhard. Gibson will perform at the dance after the dinner.
