Four years ago, Wood River Valley musician Gilbert “Gibby” Greenway passed away at the age of 41. It sent a shockwave through the west coast music world and beyond. Now the music scene is doing what it does best, coming together to heal and celebrate life through song.

On April 16, Greenway’s birthday, the Argyros theater in Ketchum, Idaho hosted the 3^rd annual Live Like Gib Fest to honor his legacy, with performances by alternative country-western band the Pisten Bullys and headliners Rothchild, a group made largely of musicians from other well-known bands, like Avenged Sevenfold and Tenacious D.

Greenway also jammed with Rothchild during his time living in L.A.

Originally in finance, Greenway left the industry and moved to L.A. in pursuit of music. For Live Like Gib Fest event co-organizer Luc McCann, this concert was the perfect way to remember everything his friend embodied.

“When Gibby quit his job to play in a band, a lot of people were like ‘what are you doing?’ But he was so talented and humble. Live Like Gib is a reminder to go and live life to the fullest and pursue your passion no matter what people say,” said McCann. “Gib used his music and his sense of humor to engage people and bring them together. He had so many friends from different points in his life. And they’re coming together for this cause. I think he would really love that.”

The festival was free, but organizers accepted donations for Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB) to help research traumatic brain injury, PTSD and other brain disorders in an effort to better diagnose and care for patients dealing with mental health-related issues.

“We know that Gibby took a fall while building his home in Idaho. Even a minor head injury has the potential to create a situation that becomes a lot to deal with,” said McCann. “This is an opportunity for us to bring awareness of taking care of yourself and your body through music.”

McCann knows first-hand the difficulties of dealing with brain injury.

“I was 19 when I suffered a brain injury. That is a trying time in life as it is you are just figuring out who you are. My head injury led to insomnia, depression, anxiety,” said McCann, “t can be very difficult to be present through all of those symptoms, but music is a very good way to snap someone out of whatever they’re dealing with and make them present in the room. You do have to do the hard work and talk about mental health problems, but you also need a break from all that. Let’s focus on what‚Äôs doing well. Let’s focus on music.‚Äù

Fellow event organizer JD McDonnell grew up with Greenway in Northern Mississippi and the two remained lifelong friends. McDonnell recognized the impact Greenway was having in the music world and on the people he met in Idaho and wherever he moved.

“His approach to life left an imprint on the musicians who played with him but also really on anybody that ever met him,” said McDonnell. “Our message is that it is just hard to lose people very young and we need to do more to help those struggling with these invisible wounds. That’s why we chose CVB.”

A recording of the show is available on YouTube.