Banjo Player George Gibson at Niles Center
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2009) - Banjo player George Gibson will be the featured guest artist for the next concert presented as part of the concert series "Appalachia in the Bluegrass." Gibson's free public concert is scheduled for noon Friday, Oct. 23, in the Niles Gallery of the University of Kentucky's Lucille Caudill Little Fine Arts Library and Learning Center.
Gibson, the son of a country grocery store owner, grew up in Knott County, Ky., at the confluence of the Big Doubles, Buffalo and Little Doubles creeks. Around 1950, Gibson became intrigued with old-time banjo listening to his neighbor, James Sloan. Thinking that his father might have played as well when he was younger, Gibson bought a banjo for himself and began beating around on it. Seeing his son's interest, his father picked the instrument up and started playing. Gibson would go on to learn how to play emulating musicians like his father and Sloan.
Gibson has recorded "Last Possum Up the Tree" for June Apple Records and is currently authoring a book on Black banjo and dance.
To see video of Gibson playing "Black Bottom," visit YouTube online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfxADc3_LvI.
The "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert series, presented by UK's John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, showcases a diverse selection of traditional musical expression. This series focuses on the many faces of indigenous American folk music, celebrating its roots in old-time music. All "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concerts take place in the gallery of the Niles Center in the Little Fine Arts Library on UK's central campus. Niles Gallery concerts are scheduled on Fridays at noon and are free and open to the public.
The John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, a collaborative research and performance center of the UK College of Fine Arts, UK School of Music, and UK Libraries, is the host of "Appalachia in the Bluegrass."
For more information on the "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert featuring George Gibson, contact Ron Pen, director of the Niles Center, by phone at (859) 257-8183 or e-mail to Ron.Pen@uky.edu.