American songwriter and country musician.
Born April 3, 1928 in Shelby, North Carolina. Died November 17, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Collaborated with Sue Thompson in the 1970s and Dottie West (1969-70). IPI: 00041484594.
- Became a cast member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1958.
- Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973.
- Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
Don charted sixty-nine times as a solo artist in the U.S. from 1956 to 1984--with thirty-eight of those coming from songs he wrote or co-wrote. His top performed hits were "Sea of Heartbreak" (#2 country in 1961, #21 overall, and #14 U.K.), "Oh Lonesome Me" (#1 country in 1958, #7 overall), "Blue, Blue Day" (#1 country in 1958, #20 overall), "Lonesome Number One (#2 country in 1958, #59 overall, and #47 U.K.), "Just One Time" (#2 country in 1960, #29 overall) and "Woman (Sensuous Woman)" (#1 country in 1969).
Don charted eighty-eight times as a songwriter between 1955-1997, including six #1's. His biggest songwriting hit was a crossover hit in 1962: "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles. The song was #1 on the overall chart but also #1 on the adult contemporary and r&b charts as well as #1 in the U.K. The song hit #1 again in 1972, this time by Conway Twitty on the country charts. Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" charted thirteen times, including #2 country for Faron Young in 1956 and #1 country for Emmylou Harris in 1976. "Oh, Lonesome Me" has charted eight times.
Gibson charted nine times in duets with Sue Thompson between 1971 and 1979, the top being "Good Old Fashioned Country Love" which rose to #31 country in 1974. He also charted in duets with Dottie West four times between 1969-70, the top charting being "Rings of Gold", which made #2 country in 1969.
