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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGIBSON, Don(b 3 April '28, Shelby NC; d 17 Nov. 2003) Hugely successful country-pop singer and songwriter. Turned pro age 14 on local radio; to Knoxville '52, became a regular on radio Barn Dance. Songwriting led to a contract with Acuff-Rose, record contract with RCA '54; moved to MGM without success, back to RCA '57 on the strength of writing hits 'I Can't Stop Loving You' (for Kitty Wells), 'Sweet Dreams' (for Faron Young). Produced by Chet Atkins, his own first smash hit was 'Oh Lonesome Me'/'I Can't Stop Loving You' (two-sided hit no. 1 country, 7 pop), followed by 'Blue Blue Day' (no. 1 country, 20 pop), both '58. Fourteen entries in pop Hot 100 '58-61; 37 top 40 hits in country chart '58-71; other duet country hits with Dottie West '69-70, Sue Thompson '71. Other soulful country top ten hits were 'Give Myself A Party'/'Look Who's Coming' '58; 'Who Cares', 'Don't Tell Me Your Troubles' '59; 'Just One Time', 'Sweet Dreams' '60; 'Sea Of Heartbreak', 'Lonesome Number One' '61; 'I Can Mend Your Broken Heart' '62, '(Yes) I'm Hurting', 'Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings' '66; moved to Hickory label '70; 'Country Green' made no. 5. Most successful songs are 'I Can't Stop Loving You' (major pop hit for Ray Charles '62) and 'Sweet Dreams' (also hit for Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline; title of Cline biopic '85). Single CD A Legend In My Time on Bear Family is a good compilation; two four-CD sets called Singer, Songwriter compiled everything. |