My report of the 2017 Gibb fan gathering, By Georgette Hodson

My report of the 2017 Gibb fan gathering, By Georgette Hodson

The 2017 Gibb fan gathering started out as just an idea I had in May of 2016. I started posting on various Gibb related Facebook groups to see who would be interested in joining us in September 2017 for what would have been Barrys birthday/anniversary week. There was a lot of interest so I decided to go forward and start organizing this event. On May 30 2016 I created a Facebook group for the event and started inviting and adding those interested. The group grew to over 100 members. But as I put the word out there was No Gibb meet and greet scheduled or expected the numbers decreased to 20 attendees.

The week of September 1, 2017 was drawing near and the excitement was mounting. Then came Hurricane Harvey, quickly followed by hurricane Irma. This left many of the attendees unable to attend at that time and also found the Gibb family and the city of Miami evacuating. So it was decided to reschedule the even for November 7-14th 2017. Due to the change in dates many were not able to attend so our final count for the gathering was eight.

November 6 arrived and I was excited as I left work that day to go to the airport and pick up Julie Ferrell. My good friend and travel partner on theses Gibb adventures. The next day Julie and I flew from Houston TX to Miami FL and met Earleen Gregg there.

The next day, November 8th 2017 was our first scheduled event at the famous 11th Street diner. This is where the Bee Gees did a photo shoot for Size isnt everything insert. We picked up Jenny Pequeen from her hotel and headed to the diner Debbie Allison and Denise Wiggins soon arrived. We laughed, chatted and took photos as Bee Gees music played though the diner speaker system. We turned the event into a three hour fun fest. It was a great first event to get to meet and talk to fans who have not met.

Fans at 11th Street diner copyright Georgette Hodson

The following day November 9 2017, was the EXCLUSIVE tour of Criteria Studios. This tour was headed by Trevor Fletcher who is the manager of the studio and we were joined by Carlos Guzman, tour manager for Barry Gibb. The tour itself was made possible by Dick Ashby who put me in contact with Trevor to arrange it. We were given a time to arrive and when we did were let though the gate and met by security guard who directed us as to where to park. Once inside we waited for Trevor and Carlos to arrive while looking at the various Gold records and photos hanging on the wall of the lobby. The tour lasted a few hours and we saw every inch of the studios while Trevor told us about each individual studio and the history of it. We were allowed to take pictures wherever we went and Trevor answered every question we had. This was truly a very special day to be allowed to tour through the halls where so much historical music was made including, Andy Gibbs Lps, 461 Ocean Blvd by Eric Clapton and of course Saturday Night Fever. We toured the studios they were recorded in and took group photos in Studio A were Barrys 360 concert was broadcasted and even got to sit in the chair Barry sat in when he did the In the Now vocals. At the end of the tour we were able to purchase Criteria merchandise and Denise, Julie and I were asked to pose with the merch for the studio merch promotions. What an honor. Before the tour we found the Gibb Brothers Blvd street sign and posed for pictures with the sign.

Gathering attendees with Carlos Guzman

Gathering attendees with Carlos Guzman

Studio A, Criteria where IN the now 360 went live

Us ladies with Carlos Guzman and Trevor Fletcher at Criteria Studio

November 10 found us with a free day on what would have been the scheduled day for Mos park picnic but the weather looked bad and I decided to reschedule that event for Sunday.

November 11th, 2017 was an unscheduled but very special event for our group. I had gotten word from Dick Ashby that Barry had agreed to a meet and greet with our group and we were told to be at his home at 4 pm. I arrived a little early in order to make sure the group parked in the correct location and arrived on time. We entered the gates that led us into Barrys courtyard and was greeted by Dick Ashby. We chatted with Dick for about 20 minutes and he went in to let the dogs out. Penny (the black lab shown in the In the Now promo photos with Barry was let into the courtyard and we all doted on her. After a while Ashley and his wife Therese came out and greeted us and chatted for a while. Then the man of the hour came out his front door. Looking good and happy he walked straight to me and gave me a big hug and kiss. I thanked him for allowing us to his home to meet with him. One by one the ladies of the group met and talked with Barry, gave him gifts we had brought and posed for photos. During this time Linda and Ali joined us in the courtyard. After everyone had their turn I approached Barry and explained the scrapbook I had made for him with letters from the fans. He was thrilled with the book and said to thank everyone for thinking of him. We all chatted with the family for about an hour and a half and then I presented Barry with a cookie cake we had made for him to celebrate the announcement of the Bee Gees Broadway musical. We all said our goodbyes to the family as Barry retreated back into his home. It was a magical time for our group not soon to be forgotten.

***I must add this disclaimer. This meet and greet was requested well over a year ago though the proper channels and not granted until the very last minute. It was NOT a scheduled event. If you go to Miami please DO NOT ring Barrys doorbell and expect him to come out and chat. This is his home and he deserves his privacy and respect. ***

Greeting Barry with a nice hug

Me with Barry

Gathering attendees at Barry home, photo by Dick Ashby

Barry and I. Barry is reading the letters from fans who sent them in for the scrapbook.

Sunday Nov 12, found us at Mos park for a lunch and to pay respect to the man in the middle During the lunch we walked over to the memorial and toasted Mo with colorful mini m&ms. Each of us shared a special though or memory of Mo. A raffle for Gibb prizes to benefit DRI and American cancer society was scheduled but due to iffy weather we decided not to bring the items out in the possible rain. An online auction is being arranged and information will be released soon.

The group at Mos park Copyright Denise Wiggins

Monday Nov 13th was our last scheduled event at Jimmys eastside diner where Mo frequented for lunch. It was bitter sweet moment as we knew this was the end of a very exciting and fun filled week and we all had to get on airplanes and head back to reality.

I want to thank the ladies for joining in on our gathering and making it a success no matter how small of a group it was.

Thanks to Denise Wiggins for being the official photographer for the gathering. I asked Denise to take pictures of the events and I think she captured each one amazingly.

Special thanks to Trevor Fletcher, Carlos Guzman, Linda Gibb, Ali Gibb, Ashley Gibb, Therese Gibb, and Dick Ashby

.and a big special Thank you to Barry Gibb for making this the trip to remember.