Terri Gibbs

Terri Gibbs is an American country music singer and songwriter. She was born in Miami, Florida, in 1954, but moved to Augusta, Georgia, shortly after her birth. She was born premature and was diagnosed with retrolental fibroplasia at the age of six months, which left her blind. At the age of three, Terri began playing the piano which sparked her interest in music. Throughout her childhood she would play and sing at family gatherings, church, and anywhere she could. Terri opened for Bill Anderson at the age of 16 at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta, GA. Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer, and Boots Randolph played a show in Augusta, GA and it was there where she met Chet Atkins for the first time. After this encounter, Terri sent Chet a demo. Chet later called her and invited her to Nashville, where she met several people whom told her she had potential to be a superstar and encouraged her to continue performing and recording as much as possible. In 1978, Terri took a job performing solo for 3-4 hours per night at the Steak and Ale in Augusta, GA, where she worked for several years. She continued to record new music and periodically sent demo tapes to contacts she made in Nashville.

In 1979 Terri got a call from a producer and songwriter and he invited her to come to Nashville to record a six-song demo. MCA proposed that if one of the six songs charted well, they would record an album. The first of those six songs released on August 21, 1980, titled “Somebody’s Knockin’”, became a major crossover hit. “Somebody’s Knockin’” went to number 8 on the US Country chart and was number 3 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. Terri followed that single with an album titled “Sombody’s Knockin’” which made it into the Top-10. Terri recorded 5 more country albums and charted 4 more Top-20 songs: “Rich Man”, “Misr’y River”, “Ashes To Ashes”, and “Anybody Else’s Heart But Mine.”

In 1981, Terri received the very first Horizon Award from the Country Music Association for new artist of the year. Terri also won the 1981 Top New Female Vocalist award from The Academy of Country Music. The same year, she received her first Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

Terri toured with Alabama and George Jones early in her career, where George would often have Terri out during his show to sing together. This led to George asking Terri to record “Slow Burning Fire” a duet with him on his 1984 Ladies’ Choice album. Terri’s fifth album titled “Old Friends” featured collaborations with Vince Gill, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Kathy Mattea.

In 1987 Terri signed a contract with the critically acclaimed New Canaan Records, a Country-Gospel label and division of Word Records. She was the flagship artist for that label, and through that relationship, Terri’s Christian music career was launched. Terri’s first Christian album titled “Turn Around” received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance and was also nominated for a Dove Award. Terri’s second Christian album “Comfort the People” received Dove nominations for Country/Gospel Album of the Year. “Promised Land”, “Comfort The People”, and “Unconditional Love” from that album made the Top-5 on the Christian charts.Terri married in 1988 and in 1989 gave birth to her son David. Terri’s third Christian album titled “What A Great Day” produced two crossover music videos: “One To Grow On”, and “David’s Song” titled after her son. This album also featured “The First Thing I’ll See” which Terri performed on the Gaither Homecoming Series.

Terri continued recording and performing after her son was born, but focused more on spending time with her family and being a wife and mother. Terri has recorded a total of six Christian albums and in 2020 released her first book, a biograpy titled Somebody’s Knockin’: The Amazing Life of Terri Gibbs. Terri is a true inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. She is a talented musician and a kind and compassionate person and is still singing and performing today.