Don Gibson Theatre
October 2026
The Backstage Pass The Monthly Newsletter of the Don Gibson Theatre Volume 2026, Issue 9 | September Highlights & October Sneak Peeks
🍂 September 2026 Highlights September slowed down the summer heat but dialed up the energy with back-to-back weekends of incredible performances. •
Image Band (September 11): This highly anticipated Friday night show kicked off with an exclusive Ron Ledbetter lounge opener before the main event took over the theater.
•
Tattoo You: A Rolling Stones Tribute (September 12): Our 2026 Tribute Series rolled on with an electrifying Saturday night. Fans filled the aisles to sing along to timeless Jagger-Richards riffs.
•
Southern Songwriters Showcase (September 16): An intimate, acoustic "in-theround" night featured a powerhouse circle of exceptional storytellers: Kim Richey, Chris Gelbuda, Patrick Davis, and Eric Paslay. The audience got a rare, behind-the-curtain look at the stories and inspiration behind some of country music’s biggest hits.
•
Sister Hazel (September 18): Wrapping up our September schedule, the multiplatinum alt-rockers brought their iconic Southern blend of rock and folk to Shelby. The night started early with a special pre-show performance by Lindsay Byars in the lounge before the full band rocked the main stage.
1
Don Gibson Theatre
• The historic Don Gibson Theatre became a focal point of public television magic on Wednesday night, September 16, 2026, as it hosted a live television taping for season two of the acclaimed series, Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis. Produced in partnership with South Carolina ETV (SCETV) and PBS, the unscripted docuconcert series captures the essence of raw musical storytelling. The choice of venue could not have been more fitting. Named after the legendary Country Music Hall of Fame member and Shelby native Don Gibson, known around the world of country music. The intimate 400-seat theater provided the perfect, acoustically rich backdrop for an evening dedicated to the craft of songwriting.
October 2026
• A Masterclass Lineup and Last-Minute Magic Host and series creator Patrick Davis rolled into Cleveland County with a formidable roster of Nashville heavyweights. Though country standout Channing Wilson was originally billed to round out the circle, a last-minute lineup adjustment brought a wave of spontaneous energy to the stage. Step-in guest Chris Gelbuda joined Davis alongside industry icons Kim Richey and Eric Paslay, delivering a captivating night of camaraderie, humor, and breathtaking acoustic performances. The evening followed a traditional "writers-in-theround" format, allowing the artists to strip down their hits to acoustics and vocal harmonies while sharing the stories behind their songs. .
•
•
•
•
Eric Paslay, celebrated across Nashville circles as one of the industry's purest vocalists, reminded the packed house exactly why he is a go-to hitmaker, pairing a staggering vocal delivery with his own chart-topping catalog. Kim Richey brought her signature ethereal melodies and decadespanning songwriting expertise to the circle, grounding the performance in profound, poetic storytelling. Chris Gelbuda stepped into the rotation seamlessly, injecting vibrant energy and brilliant musicianship that drew rave reviews from his fellow stage mates. Patrick Davis masterfully steered the ship, balancing his role as a gifted performer with that of a local history explorer and host, keeping the audience locked into the evening’s televisionmaking process.
2
Don Gibson Theatre
October 2026
"Almost OK for Public Television" The true charm of the night lay in what happens when the cameras are rolling, but the scripts are non-existent. Reflecting on the evening via social media, Patrick Davis extended a massive thank you to the Shelby audience, noting that "the songs were beautiful, the stories were almost ok for public television, and I do believe a fine time was had by all!" Attendees were treated to a rare, genuine peek behind the curtain of a major public broadcasting production. Crew members moved seamlessly around the velvet-draped stage of the Art Deco-era venue, capturing the spontaneous banter, laughter, and vulnerabilities that define the Southeastern singer-songwriter experience.
Where to Watch For those who missed out on the final block of tickets, the Shelby episode of Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis is slated to hit the airwaves next year. The series is distributed nationally via American Public Television (APT), South Carolina ETV, and PBS member stations, where it will eventually broadcast to over 300 channels across the United States. As the production trucks pack up and head to their next stop at the Pioneer Theatre in Manteo, NC, Shelby can proudly hold onto a night where national television met local musical heritage right on Washington Street.
3
Don Gibson Theatre
October 2026
Sustainable Manufacturing Meets Local Heritage: Ames Ames Copper Group & IMC America Copper Group and IMC America’s Vital Impact on Shelby SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
As the country's premier copper smelting operation, Ames Copper Group utilizes advanced pyrometallurgical processes to recycle and purify copper scrap into anodes that boast over 99.7% purity. This "urban mining" process is a staggering 75% more energy-efficient than traditional mining, drastically lowering environmental impacts while catering to the global surge in demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers.
Tucked away in the foothills of North Carolina, the city of Shelby beautifully blends deep-rooted cultural heritage with modern industrial innovation. At the heart of this community's economic and cultural life stands a unique manufacturing powerhouse Ames Copper Group and IMC Metals America, operating alongside the historic downtown landmark, the Don Gibson Theatre. Together, these entities showcase how heavy industry and the performing arts can collectively anchor a thriving American town.
The Cultural Heartbeat: The Don Gibson Theatre While the local copper facilities provide the literal framework for modern technological infrastructure, the Don Gibson Theatre provides the artistic soul of uptown Shelby.
4
Don Gibson Theatre
October 2026
BACKSTAGE NOTES Patron Spotlight
WHAT PATRONS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE DGT! This review came from 2014 on YELP Michael N. Charlotte, NC
Oct 8, 2014
An Art Deco 400 seat theater in the heart of Shelby. Was originally a movie house called The State Theater which opened in 1939. After having been shut down for 30 years it has been reopened/rehabilitated and is now an awesome live entertainment venue. Great place to see an intimate show. Check out their website for events and concert dates. In addition to live bands they show retro movies. They had an awesome kids summer movie program this year with dirt cheap prices for a night of family fun. Marty Stuart is coming soon and so is Edwin McCain. And what's showing tomorrow? Back to the Future II - "Hello, McFly?? Get to the Don Gibson pronto!"
This review came from TripAdvisor, 2024 Haskle H.
A Really Outstanding Music Experience June 9, 2024
Who Knew?? This is a MUSIC place! The BeeGees tribute kept the audience enthralled and tapping and clapping all night. This historic theater has the best acoustics I have heard outside of the New York famous venues. Will be calling for seats for several of the outstanding performers listed on the Don Gibson Theatre website. The pre-show in the lounge/bar is a plus few other places can match. Definitely Shelby has it’s entertainment stuff together!
5
Don Gibson Theatre
October 2026
📞 Box Office Information Have questions or want to purchase over the phone? The box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. • Phone: 704-487-8114 • Address: 318 South Washington Street, Shelby, NC Website: Don Gibson Theatre Official
🎟️ Coming Up in Oct. Nov. & Dec. Keep the momentum going! Snag your tickets on the Don Gibson Theatre On The Stage Platform for these highly anticipated September dates: • • • • • •
•October 15: The Sound Hosted by Carolina the Band 13: Yesterday Tribute to the Beatles. •November September 12: TattooAYou – A Rolling Stones Tribute. •November 19: The Hoppers Hosted by Carolina the Band •November 20: Mo Pitney. Single Show Sponsor Rod & Lynn Beck 4: Lee Roy12: Parnell, Texas Christmas •December Septe September TattooAYou – AFlavored Rolling Stones Tribute. 17: 16: Christmas With The King Featuring TravisKim Powell •December September Southern Songwriters Circle featuring Richey, Channing Wilson,
Patrick Davis, and Eric Paslay See you the theater! • atSeptember 18: Southern-rock legends Sister Hazel live in concert! • See you at the theater! mber 12: Tattoo You – A Rolling Stones Tribute. The Don Gibson16: Theatre • September SouthernTeam Songwriters Circle featuring Kim Richey, Channing Wilson, Some newsletter content information Patrick Davis, and Eric Paslay pulled from Meta, Yelp, • September 18: Southern-rock legends Sister Hazel livewas in concert! See you at the theater! TripAdvisor, and other social media outlets. The Don Gibson Theatre Team
For tickets to any of our shows Website Don Gibson Theatre Official.com
“Find even more easy-to-use tools on the Insert tab, such as to add a hyperlink or insert a comment.”
Click On The Stage for tickets! 6