#singsnap

The Gam ~ Gene Gamble Jr ~  YouTube Channel

@genegamblejr - For the past 17 years. I've been navigating the world of YouTube, learning though countless trials and errors. This is my second channel, and it's been quite a journey. From accidental deletions of 30 or more SingSnap recordings to frustrating computer crashes. I've faced numerous setbacks. Despite these challenges, I've persevered, slowly but surely improving my skills. Since 2015, I've been creating videos primarily using a simple slide video format, focusing on high-quality audio tracks. My ultimate goal is to achieve monetization on this platform, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.

My music  journey with bands began when Mike Andrews, my first wife's uncle, was in the process of forming a new group. We started as a trio with Mike Jr. and myself, dubbed ourselves "The HaySeed HillBilly Three."

In 1990 tryout sessions were a pivotal moment. My brother Pat, who had just started drumming a year prior, joined Mike, Mike Jr., and me. Despite my limited guitar skills and raw vocals, I was determined to contribute. After practice sessions and recordings, I officially named ourselves "The Andrews Gamble Delong Band." Delong was the name of the town where we had the practice sessions.

Then, another drummer, whom I nicknamed "Turkey Caller Jones" because I couldn't remember his real name and he'd gobble like a turkey during the song "Old Habits," joined us for a few practices, along with Warren Pearson on steel guitar. During these sessions, I strategically placed my Sony Walkman to capture some decent open-air recordings. I dubbed this group The HayStack HillBilly Band.

Mike was eager to get the band performing, so he invited Louie Dimmitt to audition for the drummer position. Louie landed the gig, and we were ready to hit the stage. The final step was naming the band, and Mike settled on "The High Country Band."

Mike wasn't satisfied the band's progress and the chemistry with Louie Dimmitt wasn't working. He decided to put the band on hold, leaving the three of us to practice together. I suggested that my brother Pat, who had been steadily improving on the drum, be given another chance. Mike agreed, and Pat eventually secured the drummer position, replacing Louie. This lineup formed the core of "The Country Classics band.

My father, Gene Gamble Sr., joined the band in 1991, playing keyboards and saxophone until June of 1993. In late summer of 1994, Warren Pearson became our steel guitarist, giving us the more Nashville old country music sound. He remained with the band until it's desolation in the late winter of 1995.

I left the Country Classics to focus on my second marriage, which unfortunately didn't work out.  I briefly tried a solo career as "Gene Gamble Jr, One Man Country Show."

Then some time later in 1997, Mike Jr., and I formed the band Alibi. Mike Jr., played lead guitar, Mike Sr., played bass guitar, Brian Parker was on the drums, and I handled lead vocals. {Brain was a work friend of young Mike's.) The band quickly gained popularity, booking 17 gigs for a 70 day work time. 

The band Alibi only lasted three months. Unbeknownst to me, tensions been brewing between Mike Jr. and me. It seems his brother-in-law, who was also a friend of mine, had broken a cardinal rule by dating my ex-wife. This created awkward situations during gigs, on slow dances and fast dance tunes, where my ex would dance provocatively in front of me while my girlfriend watched at her table.

One night, after a confrontation between my girlfriend and my ex-wife in the bathroom (which included a "stall jump'), a heated argument ensued. That festered until our next gig at Louie's Bar in Argos Indiana the following weekend.

The situation escalated further that Saturday night at Louie's Bar. When I confronted my friend about his actions. This led to a physical altercation, forcing me to leave the stage and confront him directly. The drama didn't end there. As we were loading the equipment after the gig in the alley. A heated argument broke out between me and young Mike, fuel by the influence from all involved. That almost came to a gang like fistfight as daylight was breaking. The tension and animosity within the band reached a boiling point, ultimately leading to its dissolution. This confrontation further solidified the end of Alibi.

Despite these challenges, Mike Jr, and I eventually reconciled. He explained to me  how Brian's drug use had negatively influenced him and contributed to the tension within the band. With a cleared understanding of the situation, we decided to move forward and pursue music together.

We learned that The Blue Sage Band was looking to replace some members. Having sat in with the band at the local VFW, they were familiar with my abilities.  A new bass player and lead singer were the openings Mike and I jumped on. The adding of a new lead guitar player I knew (Gordy Reed) was added by me in the conversations with them. Unknown to me, drummer Gailen Good had played and toured with him earlier in his career. With longtime founding member of the band John Harley on steel, we had in  my view the best band in Northern Indiana. Like the cover bands you would hear in the bars and clubs in Nashville. In November 1998 a new  Blue Sage Band was formed.

I started my musical journey by singing a Marty Robbins song at a community club gathering, a nerve-wracking experience for a 29-year old who had only sung in Church choirs. Mike Sr. was impressed by my performance and suggested forming a new band.

Growing up, I honed my singing skills by singing along to the radio and records, developing a versatile voice capable of various styles, from country twang to rock and roll and blues and alternative. I'm also drawn to Gospel music and Christian worship, with artist like Mac Powell influencing my style.

I've explored songwriting and recording on my own and through platforms like SingSnap. My musical influences range from legends Elvis Presley and George Jones, John Prine and Merle Haggard to numerous female artists.

It all started when I sat in with Mike and his old band and sang a Marty Robbin's tune called "Singing the Blues". I had learned it when I was 13 years old, I had never sang in public before other than Church Choir and school events, never solo. I was 29 years old and Mike liked the comments folks gave him about me as a front man singer. The band idea blossomed. I learned how to sing from going to Church with my Mom & brothers. And I sang on the tractor to the radio and from listing to LP's the family had. My interest in music was the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's country, rock and roll, southern rock and different genres of blues or alternative styles of singing.

I was honored to have the privilege of working with such accomplished musicians in my capacity as lead vocalist. Playing Grissom Air Force Base 3 times was one the best sounding gigs to my memory. I wish I would have handled the hassle of setting up for recording them. But I didn't, so there's that. Playing  and entertaining fellow Veterans was a honor just in itself. I played there when my Dad was in "the Country Classics" in 1994. With Warren Pearson on the steel guitar in 1995. Then with The Blue Sage Band in early 1999 when Henry Tyler was still sharing the singing duties with me.

I started my Studio or recording my work in music in 1987. After I bought a Fender acoustic guitar and started learning guitar, I was 27 years old. Then I started recording when ever I could.

Things are what they are. I know I quit a few bands and it put a damper in some's incomes or even hurt their feelings as if I'd had abandoned them. Each reason I may have been seeking to improve my band outlook, or my walk in life. But hindsight is 20 - 20. I ended up getting right with the LORD. Thank You Jesus, I opened my eyes. No Greater Love. Hallelujah

If you'd be so kind and hit the like button and subscribe and share it would greatly be appreciated. It takes viewers to do them things to help grow my low budget cheap outfit so I might be so lucky to make a dime on my efforts and work so I can afford to improve my production quality in music and video formats. Thank you ever much. In Him, the Gam.

*In the winter of 2024 and thru 2025 I decided to try some experiments in AI generatored songs. Working in a format called Riffusion AI. Using my lyrics and instructions for the prompt in sound and build of the piece. I've been posting theses on my YouTube channel.

Gemini AI help write this document 12-8-2024. *Gene Gamble Jr edit on 5/11/2025