Loni Gamble was an accomplished musician, having performed with the notable 1970s and 1980s soul group “The Sylistics,” and other groups such as “Sound Cheque,” and he was a community activist and mentor for youth in the Williamsport area for many years.
On Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m., Loni’s life will be celebrated in a “Loni Gamble Tribute Concert,” presented by I & J Productions
Jamuel Dickerson and Rodney Anderson are two of the organizers from I &J of this tribute concert, and they told Webb Weekly about how it came about. “After my partner and I spoke with the Stylistics, we figured this would be the perfect opportunity to recognize and show appreciation for the impact Loni Gamble had on the community.”
They got involved because of the relationship and positive experience Loni had with the Stylistics.
They said that Loni was a worthy subject for a tribute concert because “All those who knew Loni Gamble know of his contributions to our youth and families in the Williamsport community.”
Loni founded the Kennedy King Youth Intervention and Development Project and Basketball League, a structured program that eventually became the Community Alliance for Positive Progressive Action (CAPPA). As Executive Director of CAPPA, Loni’s leadership provided scholastic mentorship, gang prevention tips, and computer technology instruction to at-risk youth. CAPPA has touched so many lives in Williamsport throughout the past 20 years.
Loni later founded the Young Gentlemen, aka YG’s Performing Arts and Life Skills Project. The Young Gentlemen Project is a program that provides meaningful and vital hands-on experiences and opportunities to young males through music and the performing arts. The YG’s program is designed to motivate and inspire at-risk youth who are not emotionally connected to traditional educational environments. Young girls were not forgotten. Loni also founded the Phenomenal Young Ladies project, building self-esteem for all children involved in the CAPPA program.
Two notable Soul groups will be performing at the Loni Gamble Tribute Concert. They are: “The Whispers and Russell Thompkins” and “The New Stylistics.”
The “Stylistics” are noted for such hits as “Betcha, By Golly, Wow,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” “I’m Stone in Love with You,” and “Break Up to Make Up,” just to name a few.
The organizers expect that the concert will be an opportunity for everyone to experience and enjoy two worldwide groups performing on the “same stage, same night” while listening to and rocking to the 60s- 70s, as well as paying tribute to Loni and all that he represented.
Anderson and Dickerson fully expect the concert to be a successful tribute to a fine man and a great chance to enjoy some wonderful music.
Tickets can be acquired at caclive.com or by calling 570-326-2424.
