Mike Bonagura & Dave Gibson- 6.21.24
Michael Bonagura is an American singer-songwriter, guitar player and producer. Born in Newark, New Jersey Bonagura attended the University Of Delaware on a Football Scholarship where in his first year the fighting Blue hens of Delaware won a division I National Championship. After spending 2 months in a hospital bed, being forced to drop out of college his senior year Bonagura had plenty of time to contemplate, “The meaning of life”; deciding to pursue a life of “music and song” and has never looked back.
Taking his acoustic trio, “Bittersweet” (Kathie Baillie and Alan LeBoeuf) from the Northeast to Nashville, TN the group; who changed their name to Baillie & The Boys, was signed to RCA records in 1987 going on to chart 10 consecutive BillBoard Top Ten Country singles and 4 critically acclaimed albums while signed to RCA. Since the 1994,Baillie & The Boys have additionally released 5 album projects with no plan on letting up any time soon!
As a songwriter Bonagura has had several dozen successfully charted songs including his first number one, “There’s No Stopping Your Heart” a song recorded by Marie Osmond in 1986 well as numerous awards from the Academy Of Country Music, The Country Music Association and The TNN Country Video Awards have made Bonagura a continued presence in mainstream Country Music as well as appearances on The Grand Old Opry while continuing to tour throughout the US and Europe.
Forever fluctuating between acoustic and electric music / guitar, Bonagura is currently working on a solo project as well as continuing to tour and record with Baillie & The Boys.
Dave Gibson
In a business that is both cut throat and volatile, award-winning singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Dave Gibson consistently proves that hard work pays off and nice guys do get their just rewards. Born in El Dorado, Arkansas and raised in Odessa, Texas, Gibson grew up loving music and, in particular, songwriters. Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison were two Texans who most influenced his vocal stylings, and later Elvis Presley’s dynamic and commanding performances gave Gibson something more to strive for. By 1982, the restless, self-proclaimed musician was determined to get someone, anyone, to listen to the collection songs he’d cobbled together, and consider him as a serious writer and entertainer. He patched up a rickety Ford van and headed east to Nashville armed with raw talent, determination and an infectious personality. A keening baritone with a wry sense of humor, Gibson was always drawn to the story-telling part of country music, and loved to deliver a surprise last line with his signature guffaw.
It wasn’t long before the jaded office doors of Music Row creaked open and Gibson found himself in front of an array of power brokers, including producers Tony Brown, Norro Wilson, Oak Ridge Boys, Duane Allen, and eventually, Doug Johnson. He landed a publishing deal with The Oak Ridge Boy’s company, Silverline Music, and began co-writing with a who’s who of hit makers. The industry soon began to take notice of this fledgling writer and he started getting cuts by Steve Wariner, Joe Diffie, Confederate Railroad, Tanya Tucker, Alabama, Pam Tillis, and Montgomery Gentry. He earned six number ones, and Alabama’s “Juke Box in My Mind” stayed at number one for an impressive four weeks. Dave soon became a much sought after writer and writing partner in Nashville.
Show at 8:00 pm, no cover, tips appreciated, call 615-794-5527 for show and dinner reservations.