Al Gamble

Not to be confused with John Allen Gable.

Al Gamble
Al Gamble in Memphis (2011)
Background information
Birth name	John Allen Gamble Jr.
Also known as	Al Gamble
Born	(1969-03-11) March 11, 1969 (age 55) Columbus, Georgia, United States
Genres	Soul, R&B, rock, pop
Instrument(s)	Hammond B-3 organ, piano, clavinet, Wurlitzer
Years active	1987-present

John Allen "Al" Gamble (born March 11, 1969) is an American, Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama based, session musician, playing Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards. He is currently the keyboard player for St. Paul and The Broken Bones. ^[1]

Early life

Gamble was born in Columbus, Georgia, United States, but his family moved to his parents' home town of Tuscumbia, Alabama (near Muscle Shoals), where he was raised. ^[2] After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1991 ^[3] he lived in Tuscumbia, until moving to Memphis in 1994 to pursue a career in music.

Career

Gamble grew up listening to his father's record collection, which included Jimmy Smith, Ray Charles, Jack McDuff and other jazz and soul artists on the Verve and Blue Note labels. ^{[4] [5]} He played in various bands during high school and college, and in 1992 joined the Shreveport-based Bluebirds, featuring Buddy Flett on guitar. ^[6] Gamble spent a few years in Memphis as a Beale Street musician, backing such artists as Preston Shannon and A-440. In 2001, he formed the Gamble Brothers Band with his younger brother Chad Gamble (drums), Art Edmaiston (saxophone) and Will Lowrimore (bass). The band recorded three albums from 2001 to 2007. The first album, 10 Lbs. of Hum (2001), was released independently and featured Lowrimore on bass. ^[7] The last two albums, Back to the Bottom (2003) ^[8] and Continuator (2006), were released on the Memphis-based label Archer Records. Back to the Bottom was the last recording to feature Lowrimore on bass, who left the band shortly after the album's release. Continuator featured bassist, Blake Rhea, who joined the band in 2003 to replace Lowrimore.

In 2003, the Gamble Brothers Band beat out more than 1,200 other artists to win the Billboard-sponsored Independent Music World Series award. ^[9]

Edmaiston joined the Jacksonville-based touring band JJ Grey & MOFRO in 2007, ^[10] and soon after that, the Gamble Brothers Band played a show opening for the Black Crowes in October 2007 at Mud Island Amphitheatre in Memphis, ^[11] their final live performance for 12 years. The band reunited for a show at the Crosstown Theater in Memphis on December 21, 2019. ^[12] Earlier in 2007, while Edmaiston was on a break from touring, he joined Gamble, Memphis guitar player Joe Restivo, and drummer George Sluppick to form The Grip, a four-piece jazz instrumental band specializing in boogaloo music. ^[13] The Grip recorded the EP Grab This Thing for Archer Records (2007). ^[14]

The road took Edmaiston away again, and Gamble continued to play with Restivo and Sluppick as a three-piece, forming the band The City Champs. ^[15] The City Champs released two albums on Scott Bomar's Electraphonic label: The Safecracker (2009) and The Set Up (2010). ^[16] The City Champs have toured regularly and opened for other acts, including the North Mississippi Allstars and Huey Lewis. The members' other musical projects took them in different directions, but after a long hiatus they reunited to create the critically acclaimed Luna '68, released in 2021 on Big Legal Mess Records. ^[17]

The City Champs' music has been featured in the MTV series "$5 Cover" ^[18] and in the Emmy Award-winning documentary film I Am A Man: From Memphis, A Lesson in Life. ^[19]

On November 29, 2010, The City Champs took part in the filming of a new Memphis music documentary. Titled Take Me To The River, this Cody Dickinson/Martin Shore-produced film, released Sept. 12, 2014, showcases icons of the Memphis' music scene playing with up-and-coming young bands. The City Champs collaborated with harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section bassist David Hood on bass to film a segment at Electraphonic Studios in Memphis. ^[20] The film, which includes contributions from Terrance Howard and Snoop Dogg, was honored at the Raindance Film Festival awards ceremony in London as the Feature Film. ^[21]

In January 2013, after learning about St. Paul and The Broken Bones from friend and guitarist Browan Lollar, Gamble was asked to add organ overdubs on the band's debut album Half The City, recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. ^[22] Later that year, Gamble joined the band full-time, prior to the release of the record in February 2014. ^[23] St. Paul and The Broken Bones have toured extensively in the United States and Europe and opened two shows (June 9 in Atlanta; and July 11 in Buffalo, New York) for The Rolling Stones on the band's 2015 Zip Code Tour. ^[24] In January 2016, St. Paul and the Broken Bones played a sold-out Carnegie Hall show as part of a four-concert series curated by Rosanne Cash called Carnegie Hall's Perspectives. ^[25]

In February 2017, St. Paul and the Broken Bones headlined the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party in West Hollywood, California. ^[26]

Gamble has recorded on more than 50 albums and on various film scores. He is credited with writing or co-writing more than 40 songs, according to BMI. ^[27] He has toured with The City Champs, singer/songwriter Charlie Mars, John Paul Keith and the 145s, ^[28] Louisiana soul singer Marc Broussard, Charles Walker and the Dynamites, The Bo-Keys, ^[29] and St. Paul and The Broken Bones. ^[30]

Personal life

Al Gamble currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Al Gamble and his brother Chad are listed as "Music Achievers" in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. ^[31]

Discography

Year	Album details
1995	Alex Chilton - A Man Called Destruction Released: 1995 Label: Ardent Records Songs: Sick and Tired, Devil Girl, Lies, It's Your Funeral, You're Lookin' Good, Don't Know Anymore
1995	Pat Ramsey - It's About Time Released: 1995 Label: Rampat Records
1995	Lucille - Lucille Released: 1995 Label: Blues Works Records Songs: Saucey
1996	The Bluebirds - South from Memphis Released: 1996 Label: Icehouse Records
1998	Larry Garner - Standing Room Only Released: 1998 Label: Ruf Records
1998	Junkyardmen - Scrapheap Full of Blues Released: 1998 Label: Inside Memphis
1998	Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers - Switching Gears Released: 1998 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: Monkey, I Got to Be Strong
1998	Whitebread featuring Carlos Ecos - Everybody Wants Released: 1998 Label: Nustar Entertainment
1999	"Big" Bill Morganfield - Nineteen Years Old (A Tribute To Muddy Waters) Released: 1999 Label: Taxim Records Songs: Why Do People Act Like This, Caldonia, Child of Mercy
2001	Gamble Brothers Band - 10 lbs. of Hum [32] Released: 2001 Produced by: Keith Sykes Songs: Blue Beat Years, Bring 'em Back, Don't Turn Your Burner Down, Everything I Do, The Booster, City in the Sky, Numbers Never Lie, What's Wrong Now, Point the Finger, Don't Do It, You Gotta Be Kiddin'
2001	Deborah Coleman - Livin' on Love Released: 2001 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: Livin' on Love
2002	Rufus Thomas - Live in Porretta Released: 2002 Label: Soul Dispenser Songs: The World is Round
2003	Gamble Brothers Band - Back to The Bottom [33] Released: Sept. 2, 2003 Produced by: Ross Rice Label: Archer Records Songs: Record Store, Back to the Bottom, Love is Alive, Share, Tiki Bar, Come on Sam, One Stone, Escape Alley, Old New One, Land of Soul, Little Criminals, Cadillactopus
2003	Ana Popovic - Comfort to the Soul Released: 2003 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: Love Me Again
2003	Jimmy Thackery - Guitar Released: 2003 Label: Ruf Records Songs: Roy's Bluz
2005	Mike McClure Band - Camelot Falling Released: 2005 Label: Smith Entertainment
2006	Gamble Brothers Band - Continuator [34] Released: Feb. 21, 2006 Produced by: Jeff Powell Label: Archer Records Songs: Overboard, Hold Out 'Til Monday, Back to School, E. Parkway Rundown, Heart's Not In It, Right Direction, Vinyl, Durty Walt, Shopping Cart, Theme From "Little Champ," Threw it All Away, All Skate, Best Defense
2007	The Grip - Grab This Thing [35] Released: 2007 Label: Archer Records Songs: Grab This Thing, Jan Jan, Tutwiler, Controversy, Farewell to Cheyenne
2009	The City Champs - The Safecracker Released: March 17, 2009 Label: Electraphonic Recording Songs: The Safecracker, Takin' State, Love is a Losing Game, Poppin', The Whap-A-Dang, Pretty Girl, Comin' Home Baby, You Can't Win, Four Score, Ol' Man River
2009	John Paul Keith and the 145s - Spills & Thrills Released: April 14, 2009 Label: Big Legal Mess
2009	Jimbo Mathus - Jimmy the Kid Released: Aug. 22, 2009 Label: Hill Country Records
2009	Zach Williams and the Reformation - Electric Revival Released: 2009
2010	Sid Selvidge - I Should Be Blue Released: June 8, 2010 Label: Archer Records Songs: I'll Be Here in the Morning, Fine Hotel, A Blonde Headed Girl (In A Convertible Automobile), You're Gonna Look Just Like a Monkey (When You Get Old)
2010	The City Champs - The Set Up Released: 2010 Label: Electraphonic Recording Songs: The Set Up, Drippy, Ricky's Rant, Crump St., Chinatown, Rigamarole, Local Jones, Break It Up, A Beautiful Mine (Theme from Mad Men), Comanche, The Sanctimoneous Kid, Shishido Jo
2011	John Paul Keith and the 145s - The Man that Time Forgot Released: June 21, 2011 Label: Big Legal Mess
2011	The Bo-Keys - Got to Get Back! Released: 2011 Label: Electraphonic Recording
2011	The Scruffs - Kill! Kill! Released: 2011 Label: Scruffsville Songs: Take Me Downtown
2012	Jeb Rault Band - Sweet Dancer Released: Mar. 2012
2013	The Yellow Hope Project - Fifty Shades of Yellow Released: May 12, 2013 Songs: Could You Find It in Your Heart to Love Me?
2013	John Paul Keith and the 145s - Memphis Circa 3AM Released: Sept. 17, 2013 Label: Big Legal Mess Songs: You Really Oughta Be with Me, We Got All Night, Everything's Different Now, Ninety Proof Kiss, Walking Along the Lane, True Hard Money, New Year's Eve, There's a Heartache Going 'Round, If You Catch Me Staring, Last Night I Had a Dream About You, She's Almost You, Baby We're a Bad Idea
2014	Jesse Aycock - Flowers and Wounds Released: Jan. 21, 2014 Label: Horton Records Songs: Out to Space, Paint Me Different Colors, Flowers and Wounds
2014	St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Half the City Released: Feb. 28, 2014 Label: Single Lock Records Songs: Call Me, Half the City, Broken Bones and Pocket Change, Like a Mighty River, Don't Mean a Thing, Grass is Greener, I'm Torn Up, Dixie Rothco, Let it Be So, That Glow
2014	The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams Released: Mar. 25, 2014 Label: Washington Square/Razor & Tie
2014	John Nemeth - Memphis Grease Released: Mar. 25, 2014 Label: Blue Corn Music
2014	You, Me & Apollo - Sweet Honey Released: May 9, 2014 Label: Self Released Songs: Trains (Feat. Al Gamble)
2014	Jimmy Thackery - Extra Jimmies Released: Oct. 14, 2014 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: I Got to Be Strong, Monkey
2014	The Bo-Keys - Electraphonic Singles Vol. 1 Label: Electraphonic Recording
2014	Louise Hoffsten - Bringing Out the Elvis Label: Warner Music Sweden
2015	Darren Hanlon - Where Did You Come From? Released: Mar. 24, 2015 Label: Yep Roc Records Songs: Trust Your Feelings (When You Wake)
2015	The Libras - Skies Are Grey Released: Nov. 13, 2015
2016	The Bo-Keys - Heartaches By The Number Released: April 29, 2016 Label: Electraphonic Records
2016	St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Sea of Noise Released: Sept. 9, 2016 Label: Records Songs: Crumbling Light Posts Pt. 1, Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), Midnight on Earth, I'll Be Your Woman, All I Ever Wonder, Sanctify, Crumbling Light Posts Pt. 2, Waves, Brain Matter, Tears in the Diamond, Is It Me, Crumbling Light Posts Pt. 3
2016	Robert Finley - Age Don't Mean A Thing Released: Sep. 30, 2016
2016	Jim Mize - Jim Mize Released: Dec. 1, 2016 Label: Big Legal Mess Records
2017	Lauren Barth - Forager Released: May 5, 2017 Label: Horton Records
2018	Nicki Bluhm - To Rise You Gotta Fall Released: June 1, 2018 Label: Compass Records
2018	St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Young Sick Camellia Released: Sept. 7, 2018 Label: ATO Records
2018	Al Green - Produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Amazon Original) Released: Sept. 13, 2018 Songs: Before the Next Teardrop Falls
2018	Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors - Good Light Released: Dec. 10, 2018 Label: Magnolia Records
2019	Amy LaVere - Painting Blue Released: Aug. 16, 2019 Label: Archer Records Songs: No Battle Hymn, Not in Memphis
2019	Foy Vance - To Memphis Released: Sept. 6, 2019 Label: Gingerbread Man Records
2020	St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Live from Wichita Released: June 5, 2020
2020	Mark Edgar Stuart - Folk Beef Released: July 14, 2020
2020	Don Bryant - You Make Me Feel Released: June 19, 2020 Label: Fat Possum Records
2020	Daily Worker - Hometown Hero Released: Dec. 1, 2020 Songs: I Got Hypnotized, Ghost (About This Place)
2020	Bailey Bigger - Let's Call It Love Released: Dec. 4, 2020 Label: Big Legal Mess Records Songs: Weight of Independence, Let's Call It Love
2021	John Paul Keith - The Rhythm of the City Released: Feb. 19, 2021 Label: Wild Honey Records
2021	The City Champs - Luna '68 Released: Mar. 19, 2021 Label: Big Legal Mess Records
2021	Foy Vance - Signs of Life Released: Sept. 10, 2021 Label: Gingerbread Man Records Songs: People Are Pills, Resplendence
2021	Alexa Rose - Headwaters Released: Sep. 17, 2021 Label: Big Legal Mess Records
2021	Gervin - Chance Music EP Released: Dec. 2, 2021
2022	St. Paul and the Broken Bones - The Alien Coast Released: Jan. 28, 2022 Label: ATO Records
2022	The Love Light Orchestra - Leave the Light On Released: Feb. 18, 2022 Label: Nola Blue Records Songs: 3 O'Clock Blues, After All, Follow the Queen
2022	Mark Edgar Stuart - Until We Meet Again Released: Feb. 25, 2022 Label: Madjack Records
2022	Gervin - No. 10 Funk EP Released: Feb. 28, 2022
2022	Dedicated Men of Zion - The Devil Don't Like It Released: Mar. 4, 2022 Label: Bible & Tire Recording Company
2022	Nicki Blum - Avondale Drive Released: June 3, 2022 Label: Little Knickers Records Songs: Love to Spare, Mother's Daughter
2022	Elizabeth King - I Got A Love Released: June 25, 2022 Label: Bible & Tire Recording Company Songs: Stand By Me, Move A Little Higher, My Robe, My Time Ain't Long
2022	Gervin - Benchwarmer Released: Sep. 2, 2022
2022	Herman Hitson - Let the Gods Sing Released: Sep. 25, 2022 Label: Big Legal Mess Records
2023	Max Kaplan and the Magics - Mind on My Heart Released: Mar. 24, 2023
2023	St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Angels in Science Fiction Released: Apr. 21, 2023 Label: ATO Records

Television performances

• Lopez Tonight - w/Marc Broussard - June 13, 2011
• CBS This Morning: Saturday - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - March 28, 2014
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - April 28, 2014
• Jimmy Kimmel Live - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - June 23, 2014
• ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2014 - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - November 22, 2014
• Late Show with David Letterman - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - January 12, 2015
• Late Show with Stephen Colbert - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - August 30, 2016
• CBS This Morning: Saturday - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Sept. 10, 2016
• CONAN on TBS - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Sept. 19, 2016
• Later with Jools Holland - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Oct. 21, 2016
• Bluegrass Underground , Season 6, Episode 11 - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Nov. 16, 2016
• MTV Live Setlist, Season 1, Episode 4 - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Jan. 7, 2017
• Austin City Limits , Season 42, Episode 12 - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - July 15, 2017
• Jimmy Kimmel Live - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Sept. 10, 2018
• CBS This Morning: Saturday - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Oct. 13, 2018
• Late Show with Stephen Colbert , Season 4, Episode 68 - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Dec. 18, 2018
• Late Night with Seth Meyers , Episode 801 - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Feb. 18, 2019
• CBS This Morning: Saturday - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Jan. 4, 2020
• Late Show with Stephen Colbert - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Jan. 27, 2022
• CBS This Morning: Saturday - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Jan. 29, 2022
• Jimmy Kimmel Live - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - May 9, 2022

References

1. "St. Paul & the Broken Bones tease 'em, please 'em during sold-out concert at Alabama Theatre". AL.com. November 15, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
2. "The Shellcast: Only in Memphis". WYXR. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
3. Crawley, Rachel (2006). "Saturday Night Sounds". No. Winter. University of Alabama.
4. "Review of the Gamble Brothers Band's 'Continuator'". Keyboard Magazine. April 30, 2006
5. "Review of the Gamble Brothers Band's 'Continuator'". Keyboard Magazine. April 30, 2006.
6. "The Bluebirds". Thebluebirds.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
7. Baker, Jackson (March 15, 2002). "Sound Advice | Music Features | Memphis News and Events". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
8. "Gamble Brothers Band Bio, History, Info on JamBase". Jambase.com. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
9. Billboard Magazine. August 16, 2003.
10. "JJ Grey & MoFro Saxophonist Art Edmaiston joins AMT Roster". Appliedmicrophone.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
11. "The Black Crowes". Jambase.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
12. "Gamble Brothers Band & CYC at Crosstown Theater" . Retrieved June 22, 2022.
13. "The Grip Not Backing Off on the Boogaloo". The Commercial Appeal. September 14, 2007.
14. "With grinding organ, pounding drums and soulful grooves, the Grip has asserted itself as Memphis' true boogaloo band". Archer-records.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
15. "The City Champs: Championing the 'Comeback' of the Jazz Age". Memphis Magazine. May 2009.
16. "Discography". Electraphonicrecording.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
17. "Luna '68" . Retrieved June 22, 2022.
18. "$5 Cover - Artists/Cast Members". Mtv.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
19. "Secret Stages : City Champs (Memphis, TN)". Secretstages.net. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
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21. Rosser, Michael (October 6, 2014). "Take Me To the River wins at Raindance | News | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
22. "Interview: St. Paul & The Broken Bones". Soundcheckmagazine.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
23. Bob Mehr (November 26, 2014). "Bob Mehr's Memphis Music Beat: St. Paul and the Broken Bones at Minglewood Hall". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
24. "Start it up: St. Paul & the Broken Bones to open 2 shows for Rolling Stones in Atlanta & Buffalo, NY". AL.com. May 22, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
25. "Rosanne Cash to Curate Music Series as Part of 2015-16 Carnegie Hall Season". Broadwayworld.com. September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
26. "St. Paul & the Broken Bones to perform at Oscars viewing party for Elton John AIDS Foundation". Al.com. February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
27. Gamble, Al. "Songwriter/Composer: GAMBLE AL". song writing. BMI. Retrieved December 16, 2013.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
28. "Right Place, Right Time: John Paul Keith finds he's still progressing", The Commercial Appeal (Memphis), September 19, 2013
29. "Bo-Keys Release New Singles, 'Making of' Video", The Commercial Appeal (Memphis), November 12, 2013
30. "Birmingham-based soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones quickly attracting attention". The Tuscaloosa News. July 12, 2013
31. "Music Achievers – G". Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
32. "10 lbs. of Hum". Archer Records. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
33. "Back to the Bottom". Archer Records. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
34. "The Continuator". Archer Records. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
35. "The Grip – Biography". Archer Records. Archived from the original on March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2013.