Gary Gamble has packed a lot into 21 years. Through good times and bad, the popular Letterkenny-born singer, radio and TV presenter has firmly established himself as one of Ireland’s best-loved country performers.

Now, as he embarks on the next chapter of his career as one third of The Amigos, alongside Robert Mizzell and Patrick Feeney, Gary took time out to reflect on the journey that brought him here.

Ever-vibrant, talkative and full of fun, Gary describes himself as something of a ‘border hopper’. He grew up between his Donegal home, Strabane’s Ballycolman Estate and Glebe, just outside Sion Mills, where he now lives.

“I’ve been across the border that often when I was younger, people would have thought I was smuggling!” he joked to Country Beat.

The eldest of four — although, with a grin, he points out that he is ‘the youngest looking one’ — Gary grew up surrounded by music.

“There was always something musically going on, whether it be at house parties or cassettes being played at home or in the car. I also learned to play piano, guitar and the bagpipes, so I was keen on playing music as well as listening.”

Country music was never far away, with artists including Frank McCaffrey, Tony Christie, Foster and Allen, Philomena Begley, Hugo Duncan and Declan Nerney featuring heavily in his musical upbringing.

“I was practically reared on it,” he said.

But Gary’s first taste of working in the media came almost by accident.

“One night a fortune teller called Mary Hendron, God rest her, came to the house and put me in touch with the TCR owners who wanted me to do a few shows. I did, and ended up staying for three years!”

His interest in broadcasting then led him to study for a BTEC National Diploma in Media at Derry’s North West Regional College before joining Highland Radio.

Meanwhile, his singing career was also beginning to take shape through competitions.

A breakthrough came at a ‘Stars In Their Eyes’-style competition in Marshalls, where Gary performed as Daniel O’Donnell.

“I was up against an ABBA, Elvis and Tom Jones. I never thought I would win but, sure enough, I did, getting £1,000 in the process.”

He remembers immediately phoning his father for a lift.

“He said, ‘Sure you’re only down the road’, and I replied, ‘Aye, but I have a thousand quid in my pocket, I don’t want to get mugged!’ He was down the road in seconds!”

The win opened doors, but bills still had to be paid. Gary took a job in Sion Mills Recreation Club, where he became known as ‘The Singing Barman’, regularly being called upon to perform whenever a band was playing.

Then one night, when a band failed to turn up, Gary stepped in.

With the help of taxi driver Nobby Lafferty, he transported his PA and equipment to the club and took to the stage. Concerts, birthday parties, tea parties and other gigs followed, eventually leading him to form his own band.

He now had the band, the equipment and the voice. All he needed was somewhere to record.

That came through his father, and in 2014 Gary recorded his debut album, ‘Perfect Man’, with Pacey Robinson in Letterkenny.

“I didn’t know what to do with the album, so contacted Highland Radio and asked if they would have a listen. They called back within the hour and said I would be played on the Packie Keeney show that night singing ‘The Night of the Mardi Gras’.”

Gary was understandably nervous.

“I was like a bag of cats with nervousness. Everyone was proud as punch!”

The recording also caught the attention of Hugo Duncan, who invited Gary to appear on an upcoming BBC broadcast.

From there, the learning curve was steep. Gary quickly got to grips with the realities of the music business and, seven albums later, he is now an established name on the country circuit.

A residency at Bundoran’s Allingham Arms proved particularly important.

There, fellow country star Philomena Begley offered advice on everything, from putting a band together to choosing studios.

“I’m forever grateful to Philomena for all that help to get me started,” he said.

Conquering Scotland

Gary’s first tour came in Scotland after promoter Anne Carmody of Square Deal Promotions saw him perform. The band headed across the Irish Sea — and soon realised they had something special.

“The first show was only 50 people, which was disappointing as we’d travelled so far, but as the tour went on, whoever was at the previous night came back for the rest.”

By the end of the tour, they were sold out.

“It was absolutely crazy!” he said.

Scotland also gave Gary a lifelong friend in Jenny Robertson, his self-described ‘Scottish mammy’, who recently passed away.

“She gave me food parcels and wee drinks, knowing what I liked. I was asked to sing at her funeral.”

Gary’s ‘friends’, as he calls his fans, now stretch around the world. He has performed across Ireland and the UK, as well as in America, Australia, Spain, Canada and even Denmark.

“I was like cow dung, I was never off the road!” he laughs, before treating me to a rendition of ‘Moonshiner’ in Danish.

Burnout And A Comeback

Among Gary’s career highlights was appearing on the ‘Podge and Rodge’ New Year’s Eve show alongside B*Witched, Mary Black, Jason Donovan and comedian Freddie Starr.

“Aww, the craic we had that night was amazing. I had dinner with Freddie and he got up and sang with my band at rehearsals, leaving us all in stitches.”

Despite sharing stages with some of the biggest names in music, Gary says he takes it all in his stride.

“They’re all my friends now.”

There is, however, one star he would still love to meet — Shania Twain.

“I remember seeing something she had posted on social media and I responded, ‘Awk Shania, ye civil wee cretter.’ She liked my comment and put a love heart on it — I nearly died!”

And one star he wishes he had met — Dolly Parton.

“Unfortunately, I never met her but saw her at a gig which I took my mum to,” Gary reflected.

“My mum was such a big fan and we had a tremendous time. Dolly really was a consummate professional and great, great performer.”

Gary went on to become a mentor on ‘Glór Tíre’ and the subject of his own documentary.

But behind the success came a much darker period.

After breaking his foot, Gary struggled with being forced to slow down. His health suffered, he was hospitalised with colitis and eventually suffered a mental breakdown.

“I took a full year off the road. Couldn’t go anywhere, couldn’t speak to anyone.

“I was burnt out and anxious because I never wanted to let anyone down, between being on the road and working at Highland Radio. I became a recluse.”

His return came thanks to fellow singer Ryan Turner, who refused to let Gary simply hand over his tour dates.

“Ryan said, ‘No. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it with you.’ He brought me back to the stage in Cork.”

Unknown to Gary, his family had travelled south to support him.

“It was an emotional night,” Gary reflected. “I’m forever grateful to Ryan for bringing my spark back.”

Since returning to the public eye, Gary has learned the importance of saying no and protecting his mental health.

He eventually left Highland Radio to concentrate on music full-time. Now comes The Amigos.

Working alongside Robert Mizzell and Patrick Feeney as part of the illustrious musical trio, Gary says he is ‘absolutely loving’ the new venture.

“We’re playing new shows, making new music and we’re looking forward to the upcoming tour.”

And after more than two decades on the road, there is no sign of Gary hanging up his microphone.

“In my diary, I have gig time, Amigos time and Gary Gamble time.”

As for retirement?

“Definitely not,” he said. “If Philomena Begley, who’s 40 years older, can keep going, there’s no reason I can’t!”