JAMES GAMBLE ROGERS III (#66): One of the many things that Frank D. Upchurch III (Frank) did for me was to introduce me to a friend of his from St. Augustine, Gamble Rogers. One day Frank told me we had to go to listen to a friend of his playing in Gainesville that night, “He’s great. You’ll love him!”
Frank was right, Gamble Rogers was one of those people you like from the instant you see them. Gamble Rogers was a singer, songwriter and storyteller extraordinaire, a self-described “modern Troubadour.
When he would slide his guitar around and over his back, then raise his hands to get your attention, you knew a great story was coming. He made up fictional characters that didn’t seem fictional, just somewhat challenged. He made up fictional towns and a county, but you could see them in your mind as clearly as if they were on a map in front of you.
After a particularly involved story, he would often conclude with, “I just wanted to tell you the whole story, so you would understand where art comes from!” I have often used that line, but always attribute it to Gamble Rogers. His first, and always my favorite album was “The Lord Gives Me Grace and the Devil Gives Me Style.” That was Gamble Rogers, grace and style.
Frank introduced me to Gamble after the show, and he treated me like a long lost friend. He gave me an earnest handshake and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Scott. Any friend of Frank’s is a friend of mine.” I would always go to see Gamble Rogers when he played in Tampa. When I would introduce myself, he always said, “It’s good to see you again Scott. How’s Frank?” Or, “I saw Frank not too long ago. I asked him about you!”
You just had to love the man. Sadly, Gamble Rogers died in 1991, at age 54. Even in death, Gamble Roger had grace and style. He died a hero.
While Gamble Rogers was camping at Flagler Beach, a frightened young girl ran to him, begging him to help her father, who was in trouble in rough surf. Although he suffered from spinal arthritis that had been worsening since childhood, Game nevertheless grabbed an air mattress and headed into the ocean in a rescue attempt.
Both men died in the surf. In honor of his heroism, the Florida Legislature renamed the state park Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach. In St. Augustine, Florida, there is a middle school, Gamble Rogers Middle School, named after him.
In 1976 Gamble Rogers appeared in James Szalapski’s classic country music documentary “Heartworn Highways”, telling one of his stories, then singing his song, “Black Label Blues.” Here is the late, great Gamble Rogers and “Black label Blues.”