[1] Don Gibson was born in Shelby, North Carolina, United States,[1] into a poor working-class family.

[1] In 1957, he journeyed to Nashville to work with producer Chet Atkins and record his self-penned songs "Oh Lonesome Me"[2] and "I Can't Stop Loving You" for RCA Victor.

[5] Located in Cleveland County, North Carolina, The Don Gibson Theater opened in November 2009 in historic uptown Shelby.

Originally constructed in 1939, the renovated art deco gem features an exhibit of the life and accomplishments of singer-songwriter Don Gibson, an intimate 400-seat music hall, and adjoining function space that can accommodate up to 275 people.

Past performers have included Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Tom Paxton, Ralph Stanley, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, John Oates and Gene Watson.