Born in Miami, Florida in 1954, singer-pianist Terri Gibbs was the epitome of a one-hit wonder, a regional performer who plugged away for years in Georgia before striking gold in 1981 with the song, "Somebody's Knocking," which was an inescapable early 'Eighties radio hit, crossing over from the country charts into the Pop Top 20 while earning Gibbs numerous industry awards and nominations. Though white-hot in '81, she steadily slipped into the back forty, and by decade's end Gibbs had been dropped by two major labels and moved into a career in Contemporary Christian music. Here's a quick look at her career...
Terri Gibbs "The Best Of Terri Gibbs" (MCA Records, 1985)
Amazingly, even though she was a huge star in the early 1980s, singer-pianist Terri Gibbs soon all but dropped off the face of the planet, as far as the availability of her music goes. This best-of set is the only best-of set that ever came out on CD(!), at least for several years. I'm guessing that either she ruffled some major feathers when she turned to Christian pop, or maybe that after she left the pop world, she put a block on her old hits staying in print. Or, maybe the public tastes just changed, and her brand of slick, synthy country-pop just isn't of interest anymore. At any rate, Gibbs' music is mysteriously hard to find these days... I don't expect that'll last forever, though.
Terri Gibbs "Totally Terri" (Tem Records, 1982) (LP)
(Produced by Billy Arr & Mike Kirby)
Originally a demo-y souvenir set from her days playing dinner clubs in Augusta, Georgia, this album quickly resurfaced once Gibbs hit the Top Ten and crossed over in the the pop charts. Plenty of lush countrypolitan tunes with a definite rural edge, though also some real rough, abrupt spots in terms of the arrangements and mix, as well as some ongoing showboating from the local studio band. Still, she had a very pleasant voice, and it's instructive to hear how strong she sounded even before Nashville got ahold of her. Tem Records was a short-lived indie label, with Georgia-based producer Mike Kirby being its other major artist.
Terri Gibbs "Somebody's Knockin' " (MCA Records, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Ed Penney)
Terri Gibbs "I'm A Lady" (MCA Records, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Ed Penney)
Terri Gibbs "Some Days It Rains All Night Long" (MCA Records, 1982) (LP)
Terri Gibbs "Over Easy" (MCA Records, 1983) (LP)
Terri Gibbs "Old Friends" (Warner Brothers, 1985) (LP)
Terri Gibbs "Turnaround" (Canaan Records, 1987) (LP)
Terri Gibbs "Comfort The People" (Canaan Records, 1988)
Terri Gibbs "What A Great Day" (Morning Gate Records, 1990)
