Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Announces Ongoing Commitment to Combat Homelessness
among Veterans in Name of Renewing Nation`s Patriotic Spirit
Fireworks Displays, Parades, Marching Bands Incorporate Music into Patriotic
Programming
New York Embraces `I Am An American` by Featuring Song in Veterans Day Parade
and Showing Video to Returning Troops
Show Your Patriotism at the New Website: www.iamanamerican.us
PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
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 American,` on Nov. 10, 2009 surrounding Veterans Day 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 decades-long mission and behind-the-scenes work to
ultimately 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 extraordinary recording project that has been a
deeply personal labor of love and relentless 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.
"In this time of many changes in the world, I decided to not only honor my
brother, a veteran himself, but to do something for all veterans as well as
America as a whole that would be extraordinary…make a substantial difference and
have a lasting impact," says Gamble, the multi-Grammy-winning
producer-songwriter whose `message` songs comprised most of his hundreds of
classic hits with partner Leon Huff such as `Love Train,` `For the Love of
Money` and `Me and Mrs. Jones.` "For me, music is that catalyst."
From Air America to Access Hollywood, `I Am An American`has been hailed by media
nationwide since its 2008 release.The 45-minute documentary follows Mr. Gamble
through the recording process at the Kimmel Center with the Temple University
orchestra and choirs, and goes behind the scenes into the legendary Philadelphia
International Records studio with the iconic Ms. LaBelle. A powerful segment of
the history of Father Divine and the Peace Mission Movement comes to life with
vintage footage from the 1960s. The film is interspersed with interviews that
speak to the meaning and inspiration behind this project, and the tremendous
honor that resulted from this unique collaboration.
Gamble is indefinitely committed to addressing homeless veterans and interacting
to help impact and positively change the lives of these men and women and their
families who have served honorably in America`s armed forces and are now down on
their luck and desperately in need of help. His goal is to bring a renewed sense
of patriotism to this country through `I Am An American` and restore the
public`s spirit during these difficult times. Full of huge orchestral crescendos
and Ms. LaBelle's powerful and soulful voice, `I Am An American` has been the
soundtrack the past two years to the Independence Day Welcome
America!celebration on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, and at
this year`s July 4th Americafest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, as well as
inspiring its very own exhibit in Atlanta`s National Museum of Patriotism in
April. The film captures Mr. Gamble and Ms. LaBelle being honored with The
Patriotism Award for their song -- the highest honor bestowed by the museum -
during the exhibit`s unveiling in the spring.
Gamble envisions patriotic fireworks displays around the country to follow suit,
and marching bands nationwide to utilize the new arrangement he is currently
developing to adapt `I Am An American` for live audiences everywhere. Next week,
`I Am An American`will have an expanded presence in Veterans Day parades around
the country, including New York, Detroit and San Diego. In New York, `I Am An
American` will be featured on a Veterans Day Parade float, as well as the `Thank
You for Serving` Concert that day at the Fighting 69th Armory, where the video
will be shown to 3,000 returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
`I Am An American` may become one of our country`s great anthems - musically
waving our flag for all to hear. Gamble is encouraging everyone to show their
patriotism by logging onto the new website,www.iamanamerican.us, which launches
on Veterans Day.
I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, will be available on
www.iamanamerican.usand can be purchased nowatwww.gamble-huffmusic.com and the
National Patriotism Museum in Atlanta and in Philadelphia`s primary souvenir
stores - including National Constitution Center, Independence Visitors Center
and The Sound of Philadelphia Souvenir Shop.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
www.gamble-huffmusic.com
Randex Communications
Randy Alexander, 856-596-1410
randex@randexpr.com
Online press kit with downloadable jpegs at www.randexpr.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
