LOCAL TALENT
PEO PLE
Re-purposed Clermont-based singer/songwriter Patrick Gibson finds new calling through music he hopes will inspire the world. STORY: ROXANNE BROWN
≈ PHOTO: DOUGLAS TYLER
aking music is nothing new for Patrick Gibson, but the heart behind his songs is newly inspired. “The life stage is a magical place,” Patrick says. Patrick has been singing since he was in third grade – hopping on stage with his dad’s southern rock band in Oklahoma – plus playing the guitar and writing songs since he was 12. Patrick, now 38, has recorded a handful of singles and four albums, toured the country playing concerts and other gigs, and is a wellknown for performances at the House of Blues in Orlando and throughout the state. Songs of his like “Florida,” “Daddy’s Little Girl,” and “Florida Cracker Country Boys” remain popular, and as a member of the Grammy Recording Academy, his music was placed on the official Grammy ballots two years in a row; not to mention he personally attended the 60th and 61st annual Grammy Award shows in New York and Los Angeles. Nevertheless, Patrick let it all go. “I wanted to step away and clear my mind and make more time for God, for my family and for my kids and just focus on life for a little bit,” says Patrick. “In March, 2020, I decided to step down from the chase of cutting records and trying to become a more popular artist. We had a final show at the House of
Blues which was an awesome opportunity to say goodbye to the industry.” That’s also when Patrick became immersed in spreading God’s word through his role as worship leader at Tuscanooga Baptist Church in Groveland and when all of a sudden, the door to new opportunities was flung open. “I had to learn, I had to grow and now I’m just grateful that God never gave up on me,” Patrick says. Patrick returned to the chase in November with a release to digital outlets of “The American Prayer,” a song he wrote following racially spurred turmoil between citizens and law enforcement throughout the nation during 2020. Patrick says its lyrics signify support and thanks for law enforcement officers, military personnel and other front-line workers and their families. Since then, Patrick and his local team partnered with a Nashville label that found interest in the song and together, are pushing to get it to major radio. “I’m not sure what the outcome’s gonna be, but with God as the captain of this project I feel he’s gonna use it as he sees fit, and hopefully in a mighty way,” Patrick says. “My family supports it, my church supports it, so maybe this is God saying, ‘Hey, welcome back man, I can use you.’”
Wanna learn more about Patrick?
Visit pgcountry.com
