IN MEMORIAM

LLOYD C. GIBSON
born October 7, 1950
and lost to us in a tragic auto accident March 17, 2004

(thank you to Mark Johnson for above photo)

Saturday, July 10, Noon to 4:30 pm
at the Mucky Duck

LLOYD GIBSON INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCHOOL SCOLARSHIP BENEFIT

The International Space School Foundation of Clear Lake is establishing a scholarship in honor of Lloyd Gibson.
Lloyd and his family have given much of their time to the school (not a surprise) and this is a way to remind people of their generosity and to remember Lloyd.

The International Space School was established by Geoff and Annette Mules in 1994 and began with only two students, both from Wales. Today, the school houses 40 young people from places as far away as India and Russia, to local participants such as Laura Gibson, Lloyd’s daughter.  

The program provides space-based academic instruction to pre-collegian students and offers an introduction to the aerospace industry. Students have access to extraordinary resources and mentors and are able to work in environments that facilitate their development. Beside classes at UH Clear Lake, training experiences continue at JSC, George Observatory and Space Center Houston, etc. Students receive guidance from the astronaut corp. and other major players in the space program for two weeks. Through their hard work they will become the new pioneers that will provide the fresh ideas and visions for the future of space travel.   As a bonus, the Space School promotes cultural understanding and has proved time and time again that people from different backgrounds can work and play together.  

We hope you will join us for this fun filled afternoon honoring our good friend Lloyd.

  Music will be provided by:  
*The Zip Gibson Band
  Wind and Wire (Featuring Therese Honey)
*Astronique (Astronauts don't just go into space, they sing and play music too!)
  Clan Ceili (Space School founders Geoff and Annette Mules and friends)
  Session players and friends
* Zip Gibson, brother of Lloyd, has been a musician for years. He played country music with Steve Earle for 10 years and has opened for well known performers like Lynnard Skynnard, Los Lobos, Bob Dylan and Hank Williams Jr.   He now has his own band (ZGB) that plays R&B and has made its music available through the release of three box sets to independent film producers.
Don't miss this band as it make its debut at the Duck.
  *Astronique is made up of a number of NASA's astronauts. Canada's Chris Hadfield, who was responsible for the massive Canadarm installed on the International Space Station, is also a singer and guitar player. And when Cady Coleman isn't playing flute or enjoying her little boy, she's launching 30 billion dollar telescopes into space!   These are just a couple of NASA's finest that make up Astronique!
Don't miss this rare performance!   Tickets are $20.
ALL MONEY goes to the Lloyd Gibson International Space School Scholarship.
For additional information, contact Jan Zollars at Jan.Zollars@hccs.edu.

Sunday, May 9, 2004
5:00 pm
Irish Wake in honor of Lloyd Gibson
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, COUNCIL 803
(click here for MAP)
PARTICIPANTS:
Laura Gibson (Lloyd's daughter): Fiddler, Irish Step Dancer, Singer
Irish Session Players
Richard E. McGinty, Singer
Gerald Edwards, Guitar
Jackie Travlos, Hawaiian Hula Dancer
Scottish Dances written in Lloyd's honor (see bottom of this page)

May 16, 2004
1:00-2:30 pm
Tribute to Lloyd Gibson
CEILIDH STAGE
(all performances on the Ceilidh Stage are in Lloyd's memory this year)
 HOUSTON HIGHLAND GAMES & CELTIC FESTIVAL

PARTICIPANTS:
Laura Gibson (Lloyd's daughter): Fiddler, Irish Step Dancer, Singer
Zip Gibson Band (Lloyd's brothers) from Nashville - Blues/Rock
Irish Session Players
Jackie Travlos, Hawaiian Hula Dancer
O'Maoileidigh Irish Dancers of Houston
Scottish Dances written in Lloyd's honor (see bottom of this page)
and more

Interment [cremation] Friday, March 26, 2004 1 pm
Houston National Cemetery
10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038
Phone: (281) 447-8686j; FAX: (281) 447-0580

following:
* some of Lloyd's friends are planning an Irish Session nearby
* VFW Post 7109, 4202 West Walnut, Pearland, TX 77581 (281) 997-1097 will have a Memorial after the interment

from the Houston Chronicle:

March 21, 2004, 9:18PM
Lloyd Gibson, 53,Celtic musician

By MELANIE MARKLEY
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Lloyd Gibson, a musician known for promoting the Celtic culture in the Houston area, died Wednesday in a car accident on the Southwest Freeway. He was 53.

Gibson, who played guitar and fiddle, was considered a mainstay at area Celtic festivals as well as the Wednesday night Irish sessions at McGonigel's Mucky Duck.

"He was such a valued member of the Irish Celtic community," said Jay Dooling, who co-hosts Irish Aires on KPFT radio.

Ursula Parks, a family friend, said Gibson often appeared at festivals in his "Texas bluebonnet tartan" kilt. Aside from playing music, he also helped stage the appearances of other musicians at area events.

Gibson founded the Houston branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an organization dedicated to traditional Irish music and dance. He promoted CDs by Celtic musicians on his Web site, Bandstore.com, and was the chief executive officer of Abacus Records. Friends say he was always willing to help aspiring young artists.

"For everybody who came into contact with Irish music, he was more than glad to help them, show them tricks, show them how to do things better, and I never played with him that I didn't learn something," said Rex Shaver, a musician and friend.

Though Celtic music was Gibson's passion, friends say that wasn't the only aspect of his life.

Gibson, a Vietnam veteran, worked for IBM for 24 years. He also hosted kids who took part in Space Camp at NASA.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne Gibson; daughter, Laura Gibson; mother, Virginia Roark; brothers, Zip Gibson, Robert Gibson, Raymond Roark and Brian Roark; and sister Terrie Spandau.

A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to VFW Post 7109, 4202 W. Walnut, Pearland, TX 77581.

Lloyd's websites:
Bandstore
Abacus Records and Publishing

If you have anything to add to this memorial page, let me know.
A number of people are considering ways to honor Lloyd in the coming months - we'll keep you posted.

In Honor of & In Memory of Lloyd:

Visitation/Memorial service was held Sunday, March 21, 3 to 6 pm
James Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster, TX77598;
followed by an open house at the Gibson home.

Donations in memory of Lloyd can be made to
the American Diabetes Foundation.

Wednesday, March 24, 8pm
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk Houston, Texas 77098
713-528-5999
website
IRISH SESSION--
Tonight's session is dedicated to the memory of Lloyd Gibson
This week's Session is dedicated to the memory of a great friend and musican who passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - Lloyd Gibson. Lloyd was CEO of Abacus Records and Bandstore, and founded Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in 2001. His passion was his family and playing Irish Music.
The Irish Session will start at 8pml

Comments received:

• Barbara Downie: I was so sad to hear of this terrible accident, and I will miss Lloyd. His enthusiasm for Celtic music was infectious and I always enjoyed playing with him. He was generous with his time and skill in setting up the stage and technical equipment for events, and quietly helped out in all sorts of ways. I particularly remember how much he enjoyed playing with his daughter Laura, and it was always great to see the warmth between them as they performed.

• Julian Tribe: "He was in inspiration to me, I know that.  I will certainly miss his expert playing, his knowledge of music and his frequent participation in cultural events." (background music courtesy of Julian: I sequenced this Irish Session set "Tripping up the Stairs/Paddy Clancy's Jig/Tar Road to Sligo" about two years ago which was then, and still is, my favorite set that he used to lead.)

• Mary Radspinner: Lloyd was one of our first customers many years back.  He, Laura and Lynne used to travel way up our way to come to the jam sessions we used to have.  Lloyd was one of those really kind and gentle people.  If the world had lots of Lloyd Gibsons, what a great world it would be.

• Dianna Shipman: Lloyd was a kind and generous person;  He was the sound engineer for the Gathering of the Celts Feb. 20 (and also for 2003).  He and Laura have donated their time for Celtic Concerts and the Houston Highland Games many times. We especially enjoyed the times he played for dancing for Scottish Country Dancing and More.

• Texas Celtic Music Network Newsletter: he was a mainstay at the Mucky Duck sessions with his guitar and his fiddle.  He was a founder of Bandstore.com which features recordings from many of our regional Celtic performers, and he also founded the Houston chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the Irish music society.  Most of all, Lloyd was a good guy.

• Susan Kelm: I liked Lloyd. We'll miss him.

• Elric McHenry: Truly sad ... and so unexpected. Lloyd was a fine fellow.

• Jan Zollars: What a loss for us all.

• Patrick Devlin: . . . I have heard  wonderful things about him. I did hear him play guitar though! We have lost a true artist.God bless his family and friends.

• Bill Thurman: he WAS a good generous guy.

• Bill Dell: We have lost a true artist and friend in Lloyd and he will be deeply missed. 

• Moon Weiss: [Lloyd] was a real gentleman with a super wonderful family.  A couple of years ago, Lloyd came to the League City class frequently and played along with the dance music, which the dancers really enjoyed.  Lynne would come sometimes and dance with us, as well as Laura a couple of times.  The League City dancers will miss Lloyd, as will many, many others in the Celtic world. 

Lloyd will be greatly missed!

MORE PHOTOS:

Irish Session at Mucky Duck March 17, 2004
(photo courtesy of Eddie McCreary)

Lloyd at Irish Session at Mucky Duck March 17, 2004
(photo courtesy of Eddie McCreary)

Lloyd playing with Laura and Kyra Davies at Celtic Concert, Knights of Columbus, November 21, 2003

Lloyd playing November 21, 2003 at Knights of Columbus

Lloyd playing at Houston Highland Games, Ceilidh Stage, May 2003

Lloyd at the Houston International Festival
(thank you to Mark Johnson for this photo)

Lloyd playing for Scottish Country Dancing at Houston Highland Games 2002

Lloyd & Laura - Houston Highland Games 2002

• SCOTTISH DANCES
  written in Lloyd's honor by Dianna Shipman
  
  THE GIBSON FROLIC
  8x32 reel for 3 cpls (prefer Irish tunes for the music)
  copyright April 7, 2004 by Dianna L. Shipman
  
  (In honor of Lloyd Gibson, a musician fond of Irish and Scottish tunes, who passed away March 17, 2004. 
  The first figure represents Lloyd and wife Lynne getting together; then they add daughter Laura, who then performs with Lloyd, since Lloyd & Laura played guitar and fiddle at many Celtic events, often with Laura doing Irish step dancing; and the last figure is the “frolic.”)  

• 1-8 1st cpl lead down the middle and up  

• 9-16 1st cpl set and cast one place; 1st lady dances right hands across with the twos while 1st man dances right hands across with the threes (1st cpl finish in the center with hands joined - woman facing man’s side and man facing woman’s side)  

• 17-24 1st cpl set, face each other set, change hands (woman now facing her side and man facing his side) and set;
  right hand 3/4 turn to finish ready for ...  

• 25-32 Right shoulder reels of three on the sides in six bars (begin by giving right shoulder to first corner);
  finish with a right hand half turn and stay together ready to begin again (last time through 1st cpl lead to the bottom of the set)
  *******
  
    GIBSON'S SESSION PLAYERS
  
  (a ceilidh dance in honor of Lloyd Gibson, who passed away March 17, 2004,
  and was one of the founders of the Irish Session Players in Houston, Texas)
  
  copyright April 7, 2004 by Dianna L. Shipman  
  
  Round the room dance; woman on man’s right, all facing counterclockwise  

• 1-4 In promenade hold four skip change of step (or 8 walking steps) -
   finish facing partner with hands still joined  

• 5-8 Balance forward & back, forward & back  

• 9-16 With hands still joined in promenade hold, but facing partner,
    “spin” for 8 bars  

• 17-24 face partner and set twice (or step close, step close, step close, step close);
   then dance back to back  

• 25-32 turn partner right hand once round; then left hands once round,
   ready to start again  

• suggested music: Irish tune; 4x32 jig  

RETURN TO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE

This page maintained by Dianna Shipman.

Page updated June 9, 2004.