Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Gamble.
Evan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a suburb of Houston. I’ve always loved music and movies. I cared much more about what movie James Cameron was releasing or what new album Stone Temple Pilots were dropping than I did about anything else. I started playing the guitar and writing songs at age 13. I played in several bands in high school, as well as acted in a few school plays. When it came time for college, I only applied to one school: The University of Texas. That would allow me to continue playing in my current band at the time, as well as dabble in the local acting scene in Austin. I got a degree, but it was of little consequence to the path of my life going forward. As soon as I graduated from college, I began acting and playing music full-time. Soon, I booked a small role on PRISON BREAK, as well as a sizable role in a LIFETIME movie. Then, in 2008, I submitted a tape for the FOX show GLEE, which earned me a flight to Los Angeles where I tested for a lead role. I didn’t get the part, but it was enough to get me an LA agent. Since then, I’ve been working in TV and film off and on for the better part of a decade. AND, from 2015-2017, I got to spend a great deal of time in Atlanta, working on THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and the cult-favorite show HAP AND LEONARD. Those were some of the best times of my life. Atlanta was a city that I fell in love with. It’s the reason why you are reading this right now… and that brings us to NOW. Currently, I’m knee-deep in developing several TV shows and films of my own. And I still write and record music, too. Hopefully going forward, I’ll be able to continue doing what I love. And perhaps get back to Atlanta.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has definitely not been smooth. I’ve gotten rejected 99% of the time. There are infinitely more NO’s than YES’s in my business. I’ve gone years without a single job. I’ve had crises of confidence and self-worth. I’ve gotten SO CLOSE to a job many times, only to be told NO at the 11th hour. I’ve even had jobs taken away from me that I was initially told were mine. All of this really tests you, and forces you to ask the question of yourself – IS THIS WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE? If the answer is YES, then you keep moving forward, despite the struggles. With that being said, my advice to any young men starting their journey is this – KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Don’t let a bad day, bad month, or even a bad year derail you from your dreams. To paraphrase Rocky Balboa, it’s not about how hard you get it or how many times you get knocked down. ‘Cuz that’s gonna happen. No doubt it will. It’s about how many times you can keep getting back up. And keep fighting for what you want. And keep. Moving. Forward.
Please tell us about your business.
I play guitar. I write songs. I sing. I act. I write stories. I suppose I’m best known for my acting in TV shows like THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, in which I had recurring roles. I don’t consider myself a brand. I’m just a person that does what I love and tries to maintain a sustainable life and career doing what I love. What sets me apart from others, and what sets ANYONE apart from others is their uniqueness. I believe the best artists lean into what makes them unique and singular. I pride myself on doing just that.
Who have you been inspired by?
There are a handful of men that have inspired me in my life. Some I’ve never met. Some are actors, like Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Robert Downey Junior, just to name a few. The latter is a huge source of inspiration for me because of his sobriety, and the fact that he was able to make such a drastic change in his life. I battled addiction for over a decade, and have been sober since 2012. My sobriety is a great source of pride for me, and in times of struggle, I think of my ‘sober heroes’ like RDJ. As for men that I’ve actually met, I would say that my father inspired me. He passed away in 2011, but his impact on me has been incredibly profound. I still hear his voice and think about what he would do if he were here, when I’m wrestling with what to do in a situation. He worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known.
Contact Info:
- Website: theevangamble.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/evangamble
- Facebook: facebook.com/theevangamble
- Twitter: twitter.com/theevangamble
- Other: evangamble.bandcamp.com
Image Credit:
Professional photos taken by James Depietro
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