Rogers is known for his Travis-style guitar fingerpicking along with his storytelling which brings a mythical Florida county called Oklawaha into the national spotlight.
On October 10, 1991 Rogers lost his life while trying to save a drowning tourist off Flager Beach.
Sec. of State Sandra Mortham presenting Gamble’s wife Nancy with the Artists Hall of Fame Award
On Memorial Weekend 1998, during the Florida Folk Festival, the then Florida Secretary of State, Sandra Mortham, publicly inducted the late Gamble Rogers into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
Rogers has joined the likes of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Will Mclean and Ray Charles in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. He already has a middle school, state recreation area and a folk festival named in his honor.
Donna Green-Townsend reports on the successful musical career leading up to the induction.
1998 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
During the induction ceremony at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs Dale Crider performed, “Song for Gamble,” written by Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen. Crider was accompanied by Elisabeth Williamson on guitar and vocals and Barbara Johnson on bass.
Here’s audio of the trio practicing the song earlier that afternoon in the campground before the evening ceremony:
In this rare footage, taken by an amateur photographer at the 50th anniversary of “The Yearling” at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site in Cross Creek in 1988, Rogers joined his folk colleagues, the late Cousin Thelma Boltin and the late Father of Florida Folk Will McLean, to share stories and songs. The short video opens with McLean singing his beloved, “Florida Sand” followed by McLean introducing his friend Gamble.
Here’s a video of Gamble performing Black Label Blues:
In the following interview Gamble’s friends Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen and Dale Crider reflect on their long time relationship with the nationally acclaimed guitar player.
Gamble Rogers
Gamble Rogers
Gamble with Red Henry and Dale Crider at Florida Folk Festival in the mid 70s
Gamble with Red Henry, Dale Crider and others at FFF mid 70s
Early photo of Dale Crider and Gamble Rogers sharing a stage
(left to right) Paul Champion, Gamble Rogers and Will McLean
Gamble Rogers
Cover of Gamble’s album Oklawaha County Laissez-Faire
Cousin Thelma Boltin, Gamble and Will McLean at Yearling Festival 1988
Yearling Festival 1988
Yearling Festival 1988
Gamble playing at Yearling Festival 1988
Yearling Festival in Cross Creek, FL 1988
Dale Crider, Lis Williamson and Barbara Johnson performing at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1998
Dale Crider performing at the Will McLean Folk Festival in 2012
Singer Songwriters Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen from Bennington, Vermont often tour in Florida. While in the Gainesville area for a house concert the popular duo met up with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend.Gillette, who has had a number of his songs recorded by national recording artists, has ties to one of Florida’s legendary guitar players. Steve and Cindy recalled how they first met the late Gamble Rogers. Rogers, who is in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, is nationally known for his quick wit and guitar playing ability, all while weaving stories about a mythical Oklawaha County in Florida. He died in 1991 trying to save a drowning man off Flagler Beach. Gillette and Mangsen talked with Donna Green-Townsend at the home of environmental troubadour Dale Crider from Windsor, Florida about their mutual friend.
Cousin Thelma Boltin, Gamble Rogers and Will McLean 1988 50th Anniv of The Yearling in Cross Creek
