In a business that is both cut throat and volatile, award-winning singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Dave Gibson consistently proves that hard work pays off and nice guys do get their just rewards.
Born in El Dorado, Arkansas and raised in Odessa, Texas, Gibson grew up loving music and, in particular, songwriters. Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison were two Texans who most influenced his vocal stylings, and later Elvis Presley’s dynamic and commanding performances gave Gibson something more to strive for. By 1982, the restless, self-proclaimed musician was determined to get someone, anyone, to listen to the collection songs he’d cobbled together, and consider him as a serious writer and entertainer. He patched up a rickety Ford van and headed east to Nashville armed with raw talent, determination and an infectious personality. A keening baritone with a wry sense of humor, Gibson was always drawn to the story-telling part of country music, and loved to deliver a surprise last line with his signature guffaw. It wasn’t long before the jaded office doors of Music Row creaked open and Gibson found himself in front of an array of power brokers, including producers Tony Brown, Norro Wilson, Oak Ridge Boys, Duane Allen, and eventually, Doug Johnson.
He landed a publishing deal with The Oak Ridge Boy’s company, Silverline Music, and began co-writing with a who’s who of hit makers. The industry soon began to take notice of this fledgling writer and he started getting cuts by Steve Wariner, Joe Diffie, Confederate Railroad, Tanya Tucker, Alabama, Pam Tillis, and Montgomery Gentry. He earned six number ones, and Alabama’s “Juke Box in My Mind” stayed at number one for an impressive four weeks. Dave soon became a much sought after writer and writing partner in Nashville.
Despite his success and attention as a writer, Gibson’s first dream was always to be a performer. That dream was finally realized when he teamed up with rocker Blue Miller, famed guitar player for the Bob Seger band, in 1990. The duo formed the Gibson-Miller Band. They quickly racked up sell out dates, received critical raves, and scored multiple top ten hits as well as a coveted Academy of Country Music Award for New Vocal Group or Duo in 1994. The band toured together for four years, pushing the envelope with their rockin’ country cutting-edge shows. They even landed a song in the feature film, “The Cowboy Way” starring Keifer Sutherland and Woody Harrelson, with their re-make of the hit “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”. When the band broke up, Gibson began focusing again on his writing and developing and new talent.
In 1994, Gibson’s life would take another turn when he received a demo form a California beauty, singer-songwriter Daisy Dern. He was immediately smitten and later admitted that he secretly hoped she could actually sing. Thankfully, she possessed the whole package—she was a triple threat—she looked great, sang beautifully and wrote well. The two became creative collaborators, with Gibson producing her debut album. They were married in 1997, and two years later they were blessed with their daughter, Savannah.
Gibson continues developing new talent for his own label and publishing company, Savannah Music Group, which he founded in October, 2008 with Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Jeff Cohen.
“I enjoy discovering and nurturing new talent with new technology,” says Gibson. “There are so many ways to bring music to the public and in so many outlets. I figure all I have in this life is character—once you lose it, your reputation, it’s hard to get back. I believe in this young generation of hard-working talent, and I want to work with them in a straight-forward way. My goal is to have my own label and to do the A&R and make it happen. I want to produce great records and publish great songs whether they’re mine or not.”
Songs Cut By Recording Artists – Written and/or Co-Written by Dave Gibson
- #1 Single Confederate Railroad Queen of Memphis
- #1 Single Confederate Railroad Daddy Never Was A Cadillac Kind
- #1 Single Joe Diffie Ships That Don’t Come In
- #1 Single Tanya Tucker If It Don’t Come Easy
- #1 Single Alabama Jukebox In My Mind
- #2 Single Montgomery Gentry Lonely and Gone
- #2 Single Steve Wariner Midnight Fire
- Top 5 Pam Tillis Do You Know Where Your Man Is
- Top 5 Southern Pacific All Is Lost
- Top 5 Southern Pacific Honey, I Dare You
- Top 5 Steve Wariner Heart Trouble
- Top 10 Conway Twitty House On Old Lonesome Road
- Top 10 Larry Boone Don’t Give Candy To A Stranger
- Top 20 Steve Wariner Don’t You Give Up On Love
- Top 30 Daisy Dern Gettin’ Back To You
- Top 30 Marie Osmond Until I Fall In Love Again
- Top 40 Tammy Wynette What Goes With Blue
- Top 40 Matt King A Woman Like You
- Top 40 James House That’ll Be The Last Thing