I think that I have an assignment, just like everyone else has an assignment. When you wake up in the morning, you're not just here to be here, you're on a mission to change the condition of your life, and the people around you. I think that's what we're born to do.
Q: Was that your motivation when you started your record label 40 years ago?
Gamble: I was happy to just be in music and to be able to make a living. But as you go along, life teaches you lessons and you become conscious of your responsibility as a human being. So the music kind of reflected that in the social commentaries of the songs we were able to write.
Q: Do you miss the music business?
Gamble: Every generation has its own music, and we were very fortunate to have a long run, Leon Huff and myself. For our music to still be around it's almost like a miracle. And I'm still in the music business, I still have songs in my head, so it doesn't leave you.
There's a couple of artists out there that I really like their voices, and maybe one day I'll get to work with them. I love Jill Scott. I think Fantasia has the potential to be like a modern-day Aretha Franklin. I also like Michael Bublé. Plus, my main girl, Patti LaBelle. I love Patti.
Q: What's in heavy rotation on your iPod?
Gamble: My traveling music, when I travel, I listen to Barry White. I also listen to a lot of our music. Back when we were producing, I listened to it for corrections. Now I'm listening to it as a person who's trying to enjoy the music.
Q: Universal Cos. has a federal grant to create a plan for rebuilding Point Breeze and Grays Ferry . . .
