First-Ever Don Gibson Biography In The Works

Bobbi Gibson, Craig Shelburne

The Don Gibson American Music Foundation has revealed the first-ever biography of Hall of Fame songwriter and recording artist Don Gibson is being written in cooperation with Gibson’s widow, Bobbi Gibson.

Gibson was born April 3, 1928, in Shelby, North Carolina. He entered the country Top 10 for the first time in 1956 with his original composition, “Sweet Dreams,” on MGM Records. After teaming with producer Chet Atkins, Gibson enjoyed 17 Top 10 country hits on RCA Victor, including the eight-week No. 1 single “Oh Lonesome Me,” an early example of the Nashville Sound. Gibson was also one of the most prominent songwriters signed to seminal Nashville music publisher Acuff-Rose.

Ray Charles’ version of Gibson’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You” became an international No. 1 pop hit in 1962 and is a cornerstone of Charles’ landmark album, Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music. Patsy Cline’s rendition of “Sweet Dreams” found success at country radio following her tragic death in 1963. Between 1956 and 1980, Gibson charted 82 country singles as a recording artist, including duets with Dottie West and Sue Thompson.

Don and Bobbi Gibson were married on June 4, 1967. Don Gibson entered the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He died on Nov. 17, 2003. Bobbi Gibson resides in Nashville and has opened her personal archive of photos, press clippings and memorabilia to provide a comprehensive look at Gibson’s accomplishments.

Ms. Gibson will work closely with music journalist Craig Shelburne on the book, which will survey the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s life and legacy.

Bobbi Gibson adds, “I am so excited to be working on this book with Craig to preserve all the great stories of Don and The Nashville Sound and to introduce them to a new generation of country music fans.”

Shelburne most recently served as General Manager at MusicRow magazine. In early 2015, he concluded a 13-year stint at CMT, where he served as Senior Editor of CMT.com. In the summer of 2015, Shelburne assisted with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s educational program Words & Music, which introduces the art of songwriting to students around the U.S. Shelburne, a Nebraska native, moved to Nashville in 1994 to attend Belmont University. He graduated with a journalism degree in 1997.