Marty Gamblin

Funeral Services for Marty Gamblin will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. from First Methodist Church in Philadelphia with Rev. Tommy Jennings officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. until service time at First Methodist Church. McClain-Hays Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marty Gamblin, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and influential figure in the music and entertainment industry, passed away on October 9th, 2024 at the age of 80. Born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, on August 21, 1944, Marty was a trailblazer whose deep roots in his hometown helped shape his distinguished career. He was proceeded in life by his parents Lamar and Louise Gamblin. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Cherie Gamblin; his sons, Josh Gamblin and his wife Frances Gamblin, and Caleb Gamblin; and his grandchildren, Tyler Grace Gamblin, Minnie Gamblin, and Ford Gamblin.

Marty's life was defined by his passion for music and his boundless connections within the industry. From his early days playing trombone in an award-winning band at Philadelphia High School, to watching cowboy films at the historic Ellis Theater and listening to country music at the Jimmie Rodgers Festival in Meridian, Marty’s love for the arts was ingrained in him from a young age.

His music career began while he was still a teenager, booking bands in high school and later while attending East Central Junior College. He eventually left Mississippi State University to become a tour manager and promoter for Jackson-based Vivace Music, working with artists such as B.J. Thomas, Dorothy Moore’s group The Poppies, and Jim Weatherly & the Vegas. In the early 1970s, he worked for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, overseeing community programs. His journey led him to Nashville in 1977, where he opened Jim Weatherly’s publishing company and helped secure major hits for artists such as Ray Price, Charley Pride, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

From 1982 to 2002, Marty served as the president of the Glen Campbell Music Group, playing a pivotal role in launching the career of Alan Jackson and managing artists like Dorothy Moore and Bryan White. His extensive influence in the industry earned him a place of honor with a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker in his hometown of Philadelphia.

In 2003, Marty returned to Mississippi to work once more with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. He was later courted by his home state for another role of leadership. In 2010, after considering a position with the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Marty accepted the position of founding executive director of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) in Meridian. Under his guidance, The MAX grew from a developing concept into a prestigious institution, celebrating the cultural and artistic legacy of Mississippi. He continued to serve as a consultant for the Hall of Fame induction process after stepping down from his role as executive director in 2016.

Marty’s impact on the music industry and his home state of Mississippi is immeasurable. His legacy will live on in the countless artists he supported, the institutions he shaped, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable career. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Gamblin, Josh Gamblin, Derek George, Bryan White, Carl Jackson, Joe Jordan and Bill Dansby.

Honorary Pallbearers Marty Stuart and The Congress of Country Music Board of Directors and lifelong friends Philadelphia High School Class of 1962.

In lieu of flowers family requests all memorials be made to the charity of your choice .