Young Irishman Gary Gamble was experiencing the heat of 41 degree Perth this Christmas while enjoying a reunion with his sister who works in a Perth mining office and his brother. Both siblings with sponsorship are now fully fledged Aussie citizens.
Gary is still based in Ireland where he has a growing career as a singer.
Although Gary has his own career as a country artist it is his other career as a tribute artist that gains him international recognition, because Gary is well known Irish entertainer Daniel O’Donnell’s tribute artist!
Gary was recruited for the role when he auditioned for a TV talent show that deemed you impersonate a singer (he chose Daniel). He was so masterful in his impersonation and well received that he was asked to form a tribute band. Gary does look uncannily like a younger Daniel O’Donnell and, in strange coincidence, lives in the same County of Ireland as Daniel, Donegal, although he’s quick to add that his part of Donegal is very different. The original Daniel possesses a west Donegal accent which is softer and even sounds a little Scottish. Gary is much more Northern Irish but he has managed to get Daniel’s soft and slow accent down pat.
And the accent is not the only thing he’s got down pat, pardon the pun but he also ‘pats’ down a wig which is the replica of Daniel’s ‘do’. The wig was purchased online from New York and Gary sent various views of Daniel’s hair to get it perfectly realised. Gary also studies the suits Daniel wears in performance and has them replicated too. He is so convincing that people who come to see him often confuse or blend his and Daniels name so he can be called ‘Daniel Gamble’, or’ Garry O’ Donnell’! As they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Daniel and his wife Majella have said that Gary is ‘more Daniel than Daniel himself’,
Because Daniel himself is a very prized commodity in Ireland and internationally, and is not always available for the myriad of occasions and charity events that want his services, sometimes Gary will be invited to fill a gig that Daniel was unable to do. Gary considers this delegation a great privilege and has visited people in hospitals dressed as Daniel!
Gary has also done much work for charity such as for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Donegal Hospice as well as cancer charities.
When I spoke to Gary he was talking about the great opportunity fellow Irish singer Louise Morrisey has afforded him by asking him to gig with her. He was on his way for a tour of Scotland followed by some dates in England.
Gary hopes to visit Australia later this year, this time as performer, which will be a treat for the many Daniel O’Donnell fans out there, indeed he may help tide them over in between visits from the real Daniel, who tours every two years or so.
While waiting for Gary to tour you can listen to his new album of Irish favourites available soon.
Keep in touch with what is happening at Gary’s site http://www.garygambleband.com/
Paula Xiberras
