Long time no posts. We're attending this event and I thought it
worthy of sharing. BTW, Allen....apparently my in-laws know Floyd of
Floyd's Hill and didn't even know he was famous. He's the one who
gave us the info on this event. We'll be listening to you on the way
to Wichita Falls until the signal gives out! HUGS!
--Tami



Times Record News


Musician swings another year
By Lana Sweeten-Shults/Times Record News
March 19, 2005

Texas may be commemorating Bob Wills' 100th birthday, but swing down
Wichita Falls' way, and it's Leon Gibbs whose birthday Western swing
fans will be commemorating.

Gibbs, who made a name for himself as one of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys
and as bandleader of the venerable Miller Brothers Band, is
celebrating his 84th birthday. And he's doing it in prime Western
swing fashion — with a concert March 26 at the Miller Brothers' home,
the old MB Corral (now the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall).

The concert will feature several musicians, along with Larry Lange and
the Lone Star Troubadours as the host band. Bill Adams of Nocona will
serve as emcee, Eddie McAlvain and the Mavericks Western Swing Band
will perform, and Gibbs will also autograph copies of his biography,
"Playing by Heart," penned by Carroll Wilson, Times Record News editor.

"I'm supposed to play some with each band," Gibbs said. "Each band is
going to donate their money to me, and I'm going to donate it to the
Times Charities."

Times Charities helps people who face rent, utility and other family
crises.

Gibbs played his "Last Fling" concert in 2001 in celebration of his
80th birthday. "Everybody's been wanting me to play ? I thought, if
I'm ever going to play, I'd better do it now," Gibbs said in a Times
Record News interview from 2001.

The sell-out concert was so popular that Gibbs performed for the
"Second Last Fling" in 2002.

Gibbs, who was born March 21, 1921, started playing fiddle in church
with twin brothers Samuel and Nathaniel taking on guitar and bass.
They would eventually play the Wichita Restaurant, where they were
paid 50 cents and dinner.

The brothers took day jobs working at the Times Publishing Company,
but they also played on the side for radio station KWFT. Working for
competing outfits was a conflict of interest, so to ease tensions,
KWFT's owner suggested they change their name to the Miller Brothers,
and that was that.

Eventually, the Miller Brothers were in such demand that they gave up
their day jobs. They opened the popular, but now defunct, MB Corral
hotspot, where everyone played, including Elvis Presley.

Cashbox Magazine, the leading music industry publication of the day,
named the band the nation's third most successful Western Swing group
of 1955. They even rivaled Western swing king Bob Wills and the Texas
Playboys.

In later years, Gibbs led the band in Peter Bogdanovich's films "The
Last Picture Show" and "Texasville."

And he teaches music at Sam Gibbs Music, as well.

Tickets for the concert are $5 and are available at Sam Gibbs Music.

Arts and entertainment editor Lana Sweeten-Shults can be reached at
(940) 720-3462 or by e-mail at shultsl(at)TimesRecordNews.com.

Don't miss it

What: Leon Gibbs' 84th Birthday Celebration

Where: At the old MB Corral/VFW Hall

When: From 7 to 10 p.m. March 26

Tickets: $5 each, available at Sam Gibbs Music, 4117 Jacksboro Highway
Information: (940) 767-1456


Copyright 2005, Times Record News. All Rights Reserved.