By MELANIE MARKLEY
March 21, 2004, 9:18PM
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle 

Lloyd Gibson, a musician known for promoting the Celtic culture in the Houston area, died Wednesday in a car accident on the Southwest Freeway. He was 53.

Gibson, who played guitar and fiddle, was considered a mainstay at area Celtic festivals as well as the Wednesday night Irish sessions at McGonigel's Mucky Duck.

"He was such a valued member of the Irish Celtic community," said Jay Dooling, who co-hosts Irish Aires on KPFT radio.

Ursula Parks, a family friend, said Gibson often appeared at festivals in his "Texas bluebonnet tartan" kilt. Aside from playing music, he also helped stage the appearances of other musicians at area events.

Gibson founded the Houston branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an organization dedicated to traditional Irish music and dance. He promoted CDs by Celtic musicians on his Web site, Bandstore.com, and was the chief executive officer of Abacus Records. Friends say he was always willing to help aspiring young artists.

"For everybody who came into contact with Irish music, he was more than glad to help them, show them tricks, show them how to do things better, and I never played with him that I didn't learn something," said Rex Shaver, a musician and friend.

Though Celtic music was Gibson's passion, friends say that wasn't the only aspect of his life.

Gibson, a Vietnam veteran, worked for IBM for 24 years. He also hosted kids who took part in Space Camp at NASA.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne Gibson; daughter, Laura Gibson; mother, Virginia Roark; brothers, Zip Gibson, Robert Gibson, Raymond Roark and Brian Roark; and sister Terrie Spandau.