Local Musician Cosby Gibson on Grammy Ballot for Folk Album

Interview: Cosby Gibson
By: Rob Smittix

Photo By: Tom Staudle

RRX: Cosby, how’s it going?

CG: Oh, pretty good. Some really great things… had a great summer.

RRX: Yeah, is that over? I think it’s over. I was holding on to it for so long, like, don’t drink the pumpkin spice. Once you do it, it’s over.

CG: It’s got magical powers to turn to autumn.

RRX: I’m very superstitious when it comes to that, for sure.

CG: The pumpkin spice?

RRX: Yeah, don’t do it. But yeah, we had a good summer and now we’re in fall, so it’s pretty much winter from here on out. You’ve got some some good stuff going on. Tell us about it.

CG: Yes, I found out a couple of weeks ago that my album, ‘The Hollow Crown,’ made it to the ballot for the Grammys. It’s just so exciting. The ballot is the first step before nomination. Actually the nominations will be announced and then the ceremony is next year of course.

RRX: Man, that’s so cool. Can I vote?

CG: Please. Twice! Exactly.

RRX: Well deserved, the music speaks for itself.

CG: I really appreciate it. I love awards, they’re really inspiring, but I always remember the audience is what’s most important. And I think because of the experience of being together or listening to the albums, it seems to develop a bond between the artist and the audience. So, I guess being part of the awards or being part of the Grammys is gonna bring people into the work and invite new people.

RRX: I know a few people that have one (Grammy). Actually I know a guy who has a sh** t ton of them.

CG: Wow, send that luck our way.

RRX: It’s wild because it changes your first name and it will never be the same again, even if you get nominated and don’t win. Then your first name will be Grammy-nominated and if you win, well… your first name for the rest of forever will be Grammy-winning.

CG: It’s funny that you say that because when I first got the email saying that it was on the ballot, I had a little bit of a feeling of fear because of the changes that it could bring. It sometimes feels like you’re on this river of changes that you can’t always stop. With people who are famous or celebrities sometimes bad things happen to them and so you know? Just trying to keep a watchful eye. It’s just really inspiring and an honor to be recognized for the work and also among artists with such a high level of artistry, that really raises the bar.

RRX: Well, you’re already a Listen Up Award winner, right?

CG: Of course, we love those awards, that was so much fun.

RRX: How did that change your life?

CG: Well it helps people pay attention a little bit more and of course if you’re already offering something of quality, then it brings more people into the room which which I love.

RRX: It’s definitely a good selling point. It looks great on flyers and posters and it helps get gigs. Well, that’s really cool. So the album that’s on the ballot, did you send it to me yet for airplay?

CG: I think you might have the title song. The album is named the Hollow Crown, and the title song is also the Hollow Crown. It’s in the folk album category for the, for the ballot. But I named it the Hollow Crown because I was also thinking about… if you’re chasing something that is empty or hollow, you may think you’ve got something great but really it’s empty. Also the album is about remembering the past and remembering the good things in particular. It can give a good foundation for you to make progress from if you have really good memories but if you’re remembering the bad things, that’s a good opportunity to untangle them. Just get them out of the way because they will haunt you otherwise.

RRX: Yeah, you’re not kidding.

CG: I know, right? I guess it took about 4 years to make the album. A part of that was a delay because of COVID. The songs are acoustic with solo guitar and voice, it’s my approach. My personal style is reminiscent of the artists of the Woodstock era, kind of like… a solo songwriting type thing.

RRX: Yes, I love those vibes.

CG: Yes, the very simple things. I mean… I think each style of music has its place in a person’s life. Like if you’re on a treadmill you’d probably want to listen to something really upbeat and jazzy, but then if you’re at home on a Sunday you might want to listen to acoustic.

RRX: If I’m on a treadmill, first of all… call the news but I’d be listening to the “Eye of the Tiger,” for sure.

CG: Yeah, right.

RRX: I’m more about lyrics and the thought that goes into them, you know? The writing process. I’m sure you got yourself one of those.

CG: Yes, Tom (Staudle) and I do a songwriting workshop and we do talk about that. I would say most of my songs come from just playing the guitar first and hearing interesting chords. I don’t know if my brain is funny or something but sometimes a sound will also sound like a word.
One time I was washing dishes, the sink was running and the water sounded like these words and I was able to actually write a whole song from that. So if that’s a disorder, that’s a good thing.

RRX: You tapped into something there. That’s the universe speaking to you. You could probably just go out into nature and listen, the birds will be singing and you’d understand what they’re saying.

CG: I do like to spend a lot of time in nature. I do a lot of trail running and walking in the woods. I love it.

RRX: Absolutely. And we are fortunate enough to have some really cool sites, we’re surrounded by it here.

CG: I know. Living in Upstate New York, you’ll have like a little city that has all your shopping stuff and then you go a short way out, even just 5 miles and there’s all these mountains or trails or rivers and streams. It’s great!

RRX: I agree. I love this area and the fact that we have the urban and the country so close together.

CG: Speaking of country, what I’ve also been interested in is old time fiddle playing. The old time fiddle style was actually l developed outdoors, in the Appalachian Mountains, in the forest and in the woods. I’ve been going to some of these festivals, one was in West Virginia and one was in the Catskills. The whole festival is musicians playing outdoors, being in the the trees or campground by the fire and it’s amazing. It just sounds so much better in the outdoors than it does in a room.

RRX: I would love an experience like that. Well we’ve got a little bit of time left here. I wanted to make sure that you got everything out that you needed to get out there.

CG: Yes, the Hollow Crown album is available in both digital and physical formats. The physical album has 13 songs, a lyric booklet, links to the music videos, pictures and a free digital download actually goes with it. Something special that I put in the physical package are two collector cards. They’re song collector cards with watercolor illustrations. I did a little painting about the song and then the two songs are in there. I actually have 3 other ones in the past, so it’s sort of like a series.

RRX: Nice personal touch.

CG: I’d also like to point out that the album is a home recording and it’s published independently. I think that’s a really good step for an album like this to be included on the Grammy ballot. It shows that they are now thinking about artists who are doing it this way rather than going through the record labels or whatever.
If anyone’s interested in hearing or sampling the album, it’s on my Bandcamp, CosbyGibson.bandcamp.com and you can also download it from there. My website is CosbyGibson.com.

RRX: Everyone should definitely check it out. It’s wonderful, beautiful music. Congratulations for even getting as far as you did… so far, and we’ll definitely be rooting for you.

CG: Fingers crossed!