Thursday, January 12, 2012

Shelby theater reveals busy season; tickets on sale Friday

The Don Gibson Theatre in Shelby, a refurbished historic movie theater originally built in 1939, is beefing up its winter and Spring concert schedule. It kicks off 2012 with Ivan Neville's Dumpstapunk on Friday, January 20. New country trio, Eden's Edge (who share a record label with Taylor Swift, the Band Perry, and Reba) play February 4 (rescheduled from January 14). John Ford Coley will host a Valentine's Day concert there as well.

Sexy, jazzy throwback Lucy Woodward (pictured) heats up the theater March 2. Richard Marx, who played McGlohon Theatre in Charlotte last year (and gave a great interview), is back in the region March 15 at Don Gibson. Award winning country singer Janie Fricke, whose number one country hits include "Your Heart's Not In It" and "Always Have Always Will," performs there March 23.

"American Idol" grad Bucky Covington is back in his home state April 13. The Artie Shaw Orchestra will be there May 3. Country singer Gene Watson is set to perform May 18 and comedic bluegrass outfit the Cleverlys round out the current schedule on June 1. Like fellow 'grassers Hayseed Dixie who took on current and classic rock with bluegrass instruments, the Cleverlys cover recent pop and R&B hits like its version of Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" (below) in the bluegrass style (check out more of the group's videos here).
The former State Theatre (which was at one time called The Flick - a great name for a downtown movie house) reopened as The Don Gibson Theatre a few years ago. It had been dark for nearly thirty years. Since then the 400-seat art deco-style venue, which still shows old movies, has welcomed artists like Marianne Faithful and Juliette Lewis - artists that have bypassed Charlotte. The schedule is eclectic and has included gospel, blues, rock, bluegrass, comedy, jazz, and both veteran and rising country acts.

The theater was named after country songwriter and Shelby native Don Gibson who wrote the classics "Oh Lonesome Me," "I Can't Stop Loving You,," and Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams." Gibson died in 2003.

Tickets for most upcoming shows go on sale Friday, January 13.

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