Gambill Brandon

Brandon Gambill, the son of Sean and Shirley Gambill. The young singer is a high school student at Massena Central School and has won several small singing competitions, including first place at the l9th Annual Akwesasne Winter Carnival Karaoke Contest. Gambill was performing a solo in a play at school when the Jacobs Tobacco Company CEO Rosalie Jacobs heard him and requested that he perform during the Akwesasne Concert. Brandon is also performing with the Rez Rydaz is an Akwesasne rap group.

Article by Sesi King
Indian Time Vol 20 No 35
September 1, 2001

Brandon Gambill is our latest budding artist, age 17, and son of Sean and Shirley Gambill. His singing talent is beginning to get attention by many in the music industry. Brandon said he has been involved in music from when he was about one-year-old with his mom and Karaoke.

Brandon practiced and enjoyed singing all throughout his elementary years at the St. Regis Mohawk School. His first "spotlight" occurred when he was chosen to perform a solo with a song at one of the seasonal concerts there. There has always been continuous support and encouragement from his grandmother, Irene Gambill, along with his sister Seana, who also has musical talent and participates in singing competitions.

Brandon will be a Senior at Massena Central High School this fall. He has a goal of attending Syracuse University after his senior year and to continue on in the music industry after he completes University.

Brandon presently works with a vocal coach and producer whose name is A.J and comes from a well known recording company called Thunder Road Productions near Raymondville. Brandon is also co-writing songs with A.J during their sessions. Brandon gives credit to another good friend, a Crane graduate, Meagan Janelski who has helped with his voice lessons. Brandon said he had a bit of trouble for awhile when his range was going all over, but he has his voice in control and at a range where he can work his talent.

Brandon has had a lot of singing experiences and in competitions; the first competition he was in had been at St. Lawrence Center Mall in Massena. Brandon pulled in his first place at the Unions Idol Competition and received a monetary prize.

Last year, Brandon entered the Malone Has Talent and won sixth place. Another huge moment for Brandon in his young career was the honor of opening for the Thorogood concert that was at Jacob's Factory Show. In the Fair this year, Brandon won place and while his sister took 3rd, in Plattsburgh, he took 2nd place earn a trophy and a prize of $500.00.
On many songs Brandon tries to personalized them to his own style by singing them to his own chords. One of Brandon's featured songs is his rendition of "Amazing" by Lone Star. If wants to hear Brandon he has videos posted on YouTube.

When I'm at a big competition like in Clinton, I have a certain stance ... a nervous stance," said Brandon when asked about how he feels waiting to hear the results during the competitions. "My dad recognizes it when I do it. I stand tall with my hands behind me and my fingers crossed. It feels awesome to win, especially when I'm competing against adults. After performing, I get an adrenalin rush, especially when the crowd is applauding and wants an encore. It's awesome! Its the motivator that keeps me going."

There are many performances coming up for this young man. To see him perform live he will be in Cornwall on September 4th at the 'Cornwall Has Talent' . This event will be featuring other local singers in the competition along with Brandon.

Good Luck to you! Thank you very much for talking with me, you sound like you have grown up so much and know exactly what you want to do at such a young age. Congratulations to all your success, I'm sure there will be more coming your way.