I AM AN AMERICAN: The Making of An Anthem SAN DIEGO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF STORY BEHIND ‘PHILADELPHIA SOUND’ PIONEER KENNY GAMBLE’S ACCLAIMED NEW SYMPHONIC ODE TO PATRIOTISM FEATURING PATTI LaBELLE DOCUMENTARY’S INCLUSION HONORS ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER’S COMMITMENT TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS IN THE NAME OF RENEWING OUR NATION’S PATRIOTIC SPIRIT LEGENDARY PRODUCER TO JOIN SPIKE LEE, DANNY GLOVER, OTHER LUMINARIES JAN. 28-31 AT NATION’S THIRD LARGEST BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Festival Screening Set for Saturday, Jan. 30 at United Artists Horton Plaza 14
View the Promotional Trailer and Show Your Patriotism at the New Website: www.iamanamerican.us
“Like the country it honors, (‘I Am An American’) is a veritable melting pot, musically hop-scotching between almost hymn-like modes and the kind of heart-pumping martial sounds that were popular when American doughboys were marching off to put the kibosh on the Kaiser in World War I.” – Chuck Darrow, Philadelphia Daily News
SAN DIEGO — I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, a new documentary revealing the decades-long mission by legendary music pioneer and “Philadelphia Sound” co-creator KENNY GAMBLE to bring modern relevance to a traditional song as a symphonic ode to patriotism, will be making its world premiere this month at the prestigious San Diego Black Film Festival.
The world premiere screening will be held Saturday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. at United Artists Horton Plaza 14, 475 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA, 92101. For further information, go to www.sandiegoblackfilmfestival.com or call the theater at (619) 444-3456. Mr. Gamble will be in San Diego to attend the nation’s third largest Black film festival (Jan. 28-31) with other luminaries such as Spike Lee and Danny Glover.
Produced and directed by Bob Lott of Teamwork Productions, I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, follows the behind-the-scenes work in the long path that led to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s extraordinary recording project featuring fellow “Philly Soul” legend and lifelong friend Patti LaBelle and the Temple University Symphony & Choir.
The 45-minute documentary traces the recording process at the Kimmel Center with the Temple University orchestra and choirs, as well as 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 a number of interviews that speak to the meaning and inspiration behind this project, and the tremendous honor that resulted from this unique collaboration. It also captures Mr. Gamble and Ms. LaBelle being honored last year with The Patriotism Award for their song ? the highest honor bestowed by the National Museum of Patriotism – alongside Bob Hope and Lee Greenwood.
From Air America to Access Hollywood, “I Am An American” has been hailed by media nationwide since its 2008 release.
Gamble’s 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. A portion of proceeds from sales of the recently released DVD/CD commemorative package 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. “I Am An American” is a deeply personal labor of love and relentless commitment from the multiple 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.”
“I decided to produce what I like to call ‘A New Anthem for America,’ and a DVD to tell the story of its origin and journey,” says Gamble. “It’s a song all Americans can relate to and be proud of. Its message reminds us that no matter what race, creed or color, we are all ONE PEOPLE as Americans.”
Inspired by the service of his brother, Carl, to the country as a Vietnam War veteran, Gamble is indefinitely committed to addressing homeless veterans – “our greatest patriots” – 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.
He is tremendously honored to see I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem make its world premiere at the San Diego Black Film Festival.It’s the second time in three months that the song has had a major presence in San Diego, counting its inclusion in November in the Veterans Day Parade. Last month, images from the documentary were featured on video screens at the 110th Army/Navy Game in Philadelphia.
“At a time of change in history, I believe America has a renewed feeling of patriotism. I’m proud to have produced a song in hopes of keeping that spirit alive through music and the message it gives,” says Gamble. “I’m especially proud to have the opportunity to share the song and its story at a festival whose primary mission is to preserve and promote African American cinema and the education of media arts. It is my hope that we as Americans continue to have the renewed sense of pride and patriotism that ‘I Am An American’ inspires.”
Gamble envisions patriotic fireworks displays and marching bands nationwide to utilize the new arrangement he is currently developing to adapt “I Am An American” for live audiences everywhere. “I Am An American” recently had an expanded Veterans Day presence nationwide, including the Detroit parade as well as San Diego’s. In New York, a portion of the documentary was shown to 3,000 returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan at the “Thank You for Serving” Concert, and the music was featured at the official reviewing stand during the NYC Veterans Day parade. Full of huge orchestral crescendos and 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, unveiled in April, at Atlanta’s National Museum of Patriotism. The film captures Gamble and LaBelle being honored with The Patriotism Award for their song — the highest honor bestowed by the museum – during the exhibit’s unveiling.
“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 launched on Veterans Day.
“Each of us has something to contribute,” he says. “My brother and I hope all Americans are moved and encouraged to embrace our brothers and sisters who served this country and now need their country’s help. Be proud to say ‘I Am An American.’”
I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, is available on www.iamanamerican.us and can be purchased now at www.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.
Gamble & Huff wrote over 3,000 songs with in 35 years, including R&B #1 hits, pop #1 hits, gold and platinum records, Grammy winners and BMI songwriters’ awards honorees. Featured prominently in television programs (“The Apprentice,” “Cold Case”), films (“The Nutty Professor”) and advertising spots (Verizon, Old Navy, The Gap) for more than 30 years, Gamble & Huff’s songs have entered the musical DNA of contemporary culture. In fact, one of their songs is played on the radio somewhere in the world every 13.5 minutes. With a stable core of artists led by the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, MFSB and the Three Degrees, Gamble & Huff co-founded Philadelphia International Records and created monster hits almost from the first day of its inception. Songs they have written and produced together, like “Back Stabbers,” “Love Train,” “For The Love Of Money,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Cowboys to Girls,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “Enjoy Yourself,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “Only the Strong Survive” and “TSOP,” have received songwriters’ awards from Broadcast Music International (BMI). All told, the Gamble-Huff/PIR music machine has generated over 100 Gold and Platinum records and over 70 #1 hits.
In 1999, four years after being inducted into the National Academy of Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, Gamble & Huff were honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with the Trustees Award for their extensive body of work, both as producer and songwriter, and their contribution to the entire fabric of popular music. In 2008, Gamble & Huff were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Gamble & Huff also have appeared on American Idol in a show devoted entirely to their music, and have been inducted twice into the Dance Music Hall of Fame and the R&B Hall of Fame.