Distinguished Visiting Alumni Program Presents the Gibson Brothers

January 20, 2005

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ Eric, a 1993 SUNY Plattsburgh graduate, and Leigh, a 1994 SUNY Plattsburgh graduate, are better known in the music world as the Gibson Brothers. They will be coming to the SUNY Plattsburgh campus the end of January as part of the Distinguished Visiting Alumni Program sponsored by the Plattsburgh Alumni Association.

The Gibson Brothers will give a public presentation, "Behind the Music of the Gibson Brothers" on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 4:30 p.m. in the Krinovitz Recital Hall, Hawkins Hall. The presentation is free and open to all.

The band will also be playing a benefit concert for the Hospice of the North Country in the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at Peacock Music and Keeseville Pharmacy.

The Gibson Brothers are a traveling, singing endorsement for bluegrass music in the 21st century. Not only are they carrying on the decades-old tradition of the brother harmony duo, they're adding to the canon with skilled songwriting and an open-minded approach to the music they fell in love with years ago.

The Gibson Brothers - named Emerging Artists of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards in 1998 - have indeed emerged as one of the most distinguished and distinctive acts in roots music, releasing six albums so far.

Eric and Leigh were born less than a year apart and grew up on a dairy farm in Ellenburg Depot. When they were in their early teens, they began playing guitar and banjo. Eric got serious about the banjo after hearing Flatt & Scruggs' famous live album from Carnegie Hall. Leigh focused on guitar.

Under the tutelage of renowned resophonic guitarist Junior Barber, the Gibsons formed a bluegrass band in the early '90s, with Junior's son, Mike Barber, on upright bass. Mike remains in the group, with dynamic young mandolinist Marc MacGlashan rounding out a tight quartet.

The band is a fixture at major festivals while reaching new audiences all the time.

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The Distinguished Visiting Alumni Program brings alumni back to campus to discuss their careers with students, faculty members and others. They share new ideas and become more involved in the academic mission of the College.

As part of their visit to campus, the Gibson Brothers will be meeting with faculty and students as well as taking a tour of SUNY Plattsburgh. They will be making special appearances in several music classes during their two-day stay in Plattsburgh.

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