Gibson Brothers at Salem Valley Barn

If they were going to give an IBMA award to "Most Delightful Small Performance Venue" it most surely would go The Salem Barn in Salem, CT.  On Friday evening, we drove down to see the Gibson Brothers perform there before a sellout crowd of about seventy people. The warmth and enthusiasm of the audience combined with the lovely sound created by the wood building and the mixing skills of John Urbanek drew one of the finest performances we've ever seen by The Gibson Brothers, who have been nominated for seven IBMA awards this year in six different categories.

Inside the Barn

 

Promoter - Kim Cyr

President - Connecticut Bluegrass Music Association

Shari Daignault-Colvin, Eric Gibson, Shari's Mom Betty

Fifteen Gibson Brothers Shows this Year

The Salem Valley Barn is owned by a family named Bingham, who generously open the barn, the grounds, and their home to people attending the occasional concerts held there.  All the receipts, suggested at $20.00 per person go to the musicians. Snack and drinks are provided, and people arrive early to stroll the grounds, visiting with friends.  While we live a pretty long distance from Salem, we knew we'd run into lots of our bluegrass friends there.  The entire experience there provided one of the most welcoming experiences we've had.

The Grounds

Jesse Brock - Subbing for Joe Walsh on Mandolin

 Mike Barber - the Third Gibson Brother

  

Leigh Gibson

Roger Moss - Promoter - Podunk

The Crowd Assembles

Kim Makes the Introductions

The Gibson Brothers

  

Eric Gibson

 Leigh Gibson & Jesse Brock

The Gibson Brothers

Mike Barber

 Clayton Campbell

Jesse Brock

Perhaps it was the venue, maybe the audience, the band, the wood...who knows. Irene, selling merch, and I sat outside the door with Roger Moss listening to the music resonate out the door as if the band were playing inside a fine old Martin guitar.  The evening was warm, the crickets sang along with the band, as we sat and soaked up the atmosphere with Hurricane Irene looming a day or two south, but the air still.  At the break, the audience came out to have coffee and cookies, buy CD's, and visit with the band, before heading back inside for more of The Gibson Brothers superb singing of Gibson Brothers' songs. Nominated this year for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (Leigh), twice for Song of the Year, and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year at this year's IBMA Awards ceremony, The Gibson Brothers have had a sensational year...an instant success after twenty years of hard touring, thoughtful song writing, and dedicated work.  This year has been a great one for them. They deserve all they acclaim they're receiving.

George Lynch

James Ward - Bluegrass DJ and Super Fan

 The Merch Table

Irene - Not the Hurricane

The House Band