PLATTSBURGH — Expect a few new tunes from the Gibson Brothers when Mayor’s Cup goes bluegrass on Saturday night.
“We’ll probably test drive a few things,” said Eric Gibson, who with brother, Leigh, are the heart and soul of the much-lauded band, recently home from a tour in Europe.
It has been several years since the Gibsons have played the Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary Mayor’s Cup Regatta and Festival, and Eric said they’re glad to take the stage once again on the Lions Club Bandshell.
“I just remember a lot of happy people gathered in one spot,” he said on Thursday, just back from performing at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, where the band headlined for the first time — and to a standing ovation.
That, Eric said, “was a pinch-me kind of night.”
But shows at home come with another kind of thrill, and a deep appreciation, too, for locals just embrace the band as their own.
One sign of that is the request for favorites going back two decades.
“That means you’ve built a catalog” of songs, Eric said. “A lot of bands don’t last long enough to have a catalog.”
But when a new album is in the works — and the Gibsons hope to bring one out in the fall — they like to try some new numbers at concerts. And it adds enjoyment to the performers, who include Mike Barber on bass, Clayton Campbell on fiddle and Joe Walsh on mandolin, to change up the repertoire some.
They try to find a balance, Eric said, “to please ourselves and the crowd at the same time.”
Back home in Brainardsville on Thursday, he was about to pick raspberries instead of his banjo, collecting the fruit for his mother, Shannon, for her home-made jam.
He’s been on the ball field a lot this summer with his sons, Kieran and Kelley, helping out.
Tuesday, he threw one across the plate and the ball came right at him off a well-swung bat, a line drive to the face.
“Broke my nose,” Eric reported, laughing.
He’s not in much pain, and he wasn’t worried that the swelling might affect his singing voice.
“I’m twiney anyway,” he chuckled.
But if he’s wearing dark glasses onstage in Plattsburgh Saturday night, he added, “it’s not because I think I look cool; it’s because I have two black eyes.”
MANY ACTIVITIES
Mayor’s Cup events continue today when the Glengarry Bhoys perform from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lions Club Bandshell near the Macdonough Monument.
Here’s the rest of the schedule:
SATURDAY
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mayor’s Cup Regatta.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cultural Center for the Arts family arts entertainment activities, 23 Brinkerhoff St.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Behavioral Health Services North Kids Activities for 2- to 6-year-olds on the lawn of City Hall.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Women on the Waterfront” fundraiser at Kent-Delord House Museum, Cumberland Drive. Various items for sale and informational booths for a number of agencies.
12 to 4 p.m. Champlain Classic Car Cruisers at City Hall Place (weather permitting).
4 to 7 p.m. Mayor’s Cup BBQ and Awards Ceremony. Naked Turtle, Plattsburgh Boat Basin.
6 to 8:30 p.m. Mayor’s Cup Sunset Tour. Scenic kayak paddle on Lake Champlain. Kayak Shack at Baggs Landing. $25 includes kayak rental and gear. Advance reservations required. 566-0505 or info@kyak-shack.com.
6 to 7:30 p.m. Rick Davies and the Bearcat Ramblers. Lions Club Bandshell near the MacDonough Monument.
7 p.m. Plattsburgh Roller Derby. Lumber Jills vs. Oz Roller Girls. Plattsburgh City Gym and Recreation Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Advance tickets (go to www.plattsburghrollerderby.com) are $10 adults, $5 for 6 through 12, free for 5 and younger. $12 for adults at the door.
8 to 10 p.m. Gibson Brothers. Lions Club Bandshell.
9:30 p.m. Mayor’s Cup fireworks, downtown.
SUNDAY
9 a.m. CVPH Mayor’s Cup Bike Ride. Begins at CVPH Medical Center.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Second-annual Amazing Grace Vineyard Arts Festival, Route 9, Chazy.
For more information on all events, visit the calander page at www.mayorscup.com.
Email Suzanne Moore: smoore@pressrepublican.com
