Al Gamble

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.

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. After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1991 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. He played in various bands during high school and college, and in 1992 joined the Shreveport-based Bluebirds, featuring Buddy Flett on guitar. 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. The last two albums, Back to the Bottom (2003) 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.

Edmaiston joined the Jacksonville-based touring band JJ Grey & MOFRO in 2007, 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, their final live performance for 12 years. The band reunited for a show at the Crosstown Theater in Memphis on December 21, 2019. 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. The Grip recorded the EP Grab This Thing for Archer Records (2007).

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. The City Champs released two albums on Scott Bomar's Electraphonic label: The Safecracker (2009) and The Set Up (2010). 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.

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

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. 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.

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. Later that year, Gamble joined the band full-time, prior to the release of the record in February 2014. 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. 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.

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

Gamble has recorded on more than 50 albums and on various film scores. He is credited with writing or co-writing more than 120 songs, according to BMI. He has toured with The City Champs, singer/songwriter Charlie Mars, John Paul Keith and the 145s, Louisiana soul singer Marc Broussard, Charles Walker and the Dynamites, The Bo-Keys, and St. Paul and The Broken Bones.

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.

Discography YearAlbum details 1995Alex 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 1995Pat Ramsey - It's About Time Released: 1995 Label: Rampat Records 1995Lucille - Lucille Released: 1995 Label: Blues Works Records Songs: Saucey 1996The Bluebirds - South from Memphis Released: 1996 Label: Icehouse Records 1998Larry Garner - Standing Room Only Released: 1998 Label: Ruf Records 1998Junkyardmen - Scrapheap Full of Blues Released: 1998 Label: Inside Memphis 1998Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers - Switching Gears Released: 1998 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: Monkey, I Got to Be Strong 1998Whitebread 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 2001Gamble Brothers Band - 10 lbs. of Hum 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' 2001Deborah Coleman - Livin' on Love Released: 2001 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: Livin' on Love 2002Rufus Thomas - Live in Porretta Released: 2002 Label: Soul Dispenser Songs: The World is Round 2003Gamble Brothers Band - Back to The Bottom 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 2003Ana Popovic - Comfort to the Soul Released: 2003 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: Love Me Again 2003Jimmy Thackery - Guitar Released: 2003 Label: Ruf Records Songs: Roy's Bluz 2005Mike McClure Band - Camelot Falling Released: 2005 Label: Smith Entertainment 2006Gamble Brothers Band - Continuator 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 2007The Grip - Grab This Thing Released: 2007 Label: Archer Records Songs: Grab This Thing, Jan Jan, Tutwiler, Controversy, Farewell to Cheyenne 2009The 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 2009John Paul Keith and the 145s - Spills & Thrills Released: April 14, 2009 Label: Big Legal Mess 2009Jimbo Mathus - Jimmy the Kid Released: Aug. 22, 2009 Label: Hill Country Records 2009Zach Williams and the Reformation - Electric Revival Released: 2009 2010Sid 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) 2010The 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 2011John Paul Keith and the 145s - The Man that Time Forgot Released: June 21, 2011 Label: Big Legal Mess 2011The Bo-Keys - Got to Get Back! Released: 2011 Label: Electraphonic Recording 2011The Scruffs - Kill! Kill! Released: 2011 Label: Scruffsville Songs: Take Me Downtown 2012Jeb Rault Band - Sweet Dancer Released: Mar. 2012 2013The Yellow Hope Project - Fifty Shades of Yellow Released: May 12, 2013 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 2014Jesse Aycock - Flowers and Wounds Released: Jan. 21, 2014 Label: Horton Records Songs: Out to Space, Paint Me Different Colors, Flowers and Wounds 2014St. 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 2014The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams Released: Mar. 25, 2014 Label: Washington Square/Razor & Tie 2014John Nemeth - Memphis Grease Released: Mar. 25, 2014 Label: Blue Corn Music 2014You, Me & Apollo - Sweet Honey Released: May 9, 2014 Label: Self Released Songs: Trains (Feat. Al Gamble) 2014Jimmy Thackery - Extra Jimmies Released: Oct. 14, 2014 Label: Blind Pig Records Songs: I Got to Be Strong, Monkey 2014The Bo-Keys - Electraphonic Singles Vol. 1 Label: Electraphonic Recording 2014Louise Hoffsten - Bringing Out the Elvis Label: Warner Music Sweden 2015Darren Hanlon - Where Did You Come From? Released: Mar. 24, 2015 Label: Yep Roc Records Songs: Trust Your Feelings (When You Wake) 2015The Libras - Skies Are Grey Released: Nov. 13, 2015 2016The Bo-Keys - Heartaches By The Number Released: April 29, 2016 Label: Electraphonic Records 2016St. 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 2016Robert Finley - Age Don't Mean A Thing Released: Sep. 30, 2016 2016Jim Mize - Jim Mize Released: Dec. 1, 2016 Label: Big Legal Mess Records 2017Lauren Barth - Forager Released: May 5, 2017 Label: Horton Records 2018Nicki Bluhm - To Rise You Gotta Fall Released: June 1, 2018 Label: Compass Records 2018St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Young Sick Camellia Released: Sept. 7, 2018 Label: ATO Records 2018Al Green - Produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Amazon Original) Released: Sept. 13, 2018 Songs: Before the Next Teardrop Falls 2018Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors - Good Light Released: Dec. 10, 2018 Label: Magnolia Records 2019Amy LaVere - Painting Blue Released: Aug. 16, 2019 Label: Archer Records Songs: No Battle Hymn, Not in Memphis 2019Foy Vance - To Memphis Released: Sept. 6, 2019 Label: Gingerbread Man Records 2020St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Live from Wichita Released: June 5, 2020 2020Mark Edgar Stuart - Folk Beef Released: July 14, 2020 2020Don Bryant - You Make Me Feel Released: June 19, 2020 Label: Fat Possum Records 2020Daily Worker - Hometown Hero Released: Dec. 1, 2020 Songs: I Got Hypnotized, Ghost (About This Place) 2020Bailey Bigger - Let's Call It Love Released: Dec. 4, 2020 Label: Big Legal Mess Records Songs: Weight of Independence, Let's Call It Love 2021John Paul Keith - The Rhythm of the City Released: Feb. 19, 2021 Label: Wild Honey Records 2021The City Champs - Luna '68 Released: Mar. 19, 2021 Label: Big Legal Mess Records 2021Foy Vance - Signs of Life Released: Sept. 10, 2021 Label: Gingerbread Man Records Songs: People Are Pills, Resplendence 2021Alexa Rose - Headwaters Released: Sep. 17, 2021 Label: Big Legal Mess Records 2021Gervin - Chance Music EP Released: Dec. 2, 2021 2022St. Paul and the Broken Bones - The Alien Coast Released: Jan. 28, 2022 Label: ATO Records 2022The 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 2022Mark Edgar Stuart - Until We Meet Again Released: Feb. 25, 2022 Label: Madjack Records 2022Gervin - No. 10 Funk EP Released: Feb. 28, 2022 2022Dedicated Men of Zion - The Devil Don't Like It Released: Mar. 4, 2022 Label: Bible & Tire Recording Company 2022Nicki Blum - Avondale Drive Released: June 3, 2022 Label: Little Knickers Records Songs: Love to Spare, Mother's Daughter 2022Elizabeth 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 2022Gervin - Benchwarmer Released: Sep. 2, 2022 2022Herman Hitson - Let the Gods Sing Released: Sep. 25, 2022 Label: Big Legal Mess Records 2023Max Kaplan and the Magics - Mind on My Heart Released: Mar. 24, 2023 2023St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Angels in Science Fiction Released: Apr. 21, 2023 Label: ATO Records 2025St. Paul and the Broken Bones - St. Paul and the Broken Bone Released: Oct. 10, 2025 Label: Oasis Pizza 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 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon - w/St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Dec. 8, 2025