LIBERTY LABELLE:

Kenny Gamble Honors Veterans With 'I Am an American' (Dan Reilly, 11/10/09, Spinner)

Shocked to learn how many veterans end up homeless, Gamble decided to spread awareness by recording 'I Am an American,' a song originally written "in the '30s or '40s" by a member of the International Peace Mission charitable movement named Happy Victoria Love. "It says that we all should be very proud of our country because America has shown tremendous growth and it's still a baby, it's still developing compared to other countries," Gamble says. "There's no better time for us as citizens to be more patriotic and pay attention to the greatest of Americans: the veterans, those who risk their lives and some who give their lives so that others might be able to enjoy the freedoms we have here."

After originally hearing the song in 1980 at a dinner held by the Peace Mission, it wasn't until the late '90s that Gamble started working on a modern arrangement with the Temple University Orchestra and Choir. "We recorded it live and when I listened to it, I said, 'Well, it really sounds great. It's sort of classical in a way, but it needs a little hot sauce to it.' So, I called my good friend Patti LaBelle and asked if she would sing it," Gamble, who's produced several of LaBelle's albums, says. "She came and put the little hot sauce on it. With the power of Patti's voice and her spirit on it, I think it really makes it a new song to uplift the spirit of Americans all over this country and around the world."

Just in time for Veterans Day, Gamble has released a CD/DVD combo called 'I Am an American: The Making of an Anthem,' which chronicles not only the making of the song but his work visiting veterans. "We've been working with the Veterans Administration and part of the proceeds from this will go to homeless veterans," Gamble says. "I think it comes at a great time because the morale of the country is a little low because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, health care and the economy. This song speaks about how America is every race, every creed, every color, every nationality. There's never been a country like America. We must support it in every way that we can as citizens."

Kenny Gamble's 'I Am An American' CD fights Veteran homelessness (April MacIntyre Nov 18, 2009, Monsters & Critics)

In honor and loving support of our nation’s veterans, legendary music pioneer and co-creator of “The Philadelphia Sound” Kenny Gamble is releasing a new DVD/CD commemorative package of his acclaimed new symphonic ode to patriotism, “I Am An Am American,” on November 10, 2009 to help raise funds and awareness for battling homelessness among veterans.

I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, a documentary revealing the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s behind-the-scenes work to bring modern relevance to this traditional song through his lifelong friend Patti LaBelle and the Temple University Symphony & Choir, includes a CD featuring new edits of the recording project that has been a personal labor of love and commitment from Mr. Gamble.

His brother, Carl also served the country as a Vietnam War veteran.

A portion of proceeds from sales of I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem are being donated to the Veterans Administration, to help raise money for homeless veterans and awareness for this vital issue.

Even had he not written a great train song, Mr. Gamble's effort would be eminently worthwhile.

-WEBSITE: IAmAnAmerican.us

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 20, 2009 12:54 PM