Biography
American Joule performs Americana, country, folk, roots, chanked-up oldies and Native spirit-inspired originals and covers that engage, empower and uplift. American Joule Music offers entertainment, connection and meaningful experience, and consists of Donna Gentile on vocals and guitar, and occasionally, special guests. People are moved by Gentile’s rich, vintage vocals, powerful lyrics, upbeat rhythms and authentic delivery. Prepare to feel something, laugh and connect!
Donna uses music to raise the vibe, empower with stories of triumph, spread love, inspire liberty and support local and parallel economies, farms, small businesses, veterans, artisans, makers, farmers markets and causes. American Joule can be hired as a headliner or opening act and is currently booking in Durango, Colorado and the surrounding Four Corners area.
James Copeland, writer of Cold Steel (published by The Marshall Tucker Band) calls Donna Gentiile “A rare talent with a powerful, rich and unique vintage country voice. You won’t want to leave.”
Rob “the drummer” Gottfried (featured many times on Sesame Street and Nickelodeon, and who The Muppets fashioned Animal after) says “Donna is in touch with what is relevant today. She spins a unique web of musical grace, provides a window to the world of triumph after struggle, and offers a unique perspective on how to appreciate the moment—with high expectation and Passion—as life is not a rehearsal.”
Nicole Cassarino of DFX Entertainment calls Donna Gentile “a diamond in the rough.”
You can find Gentile’s debut Music is Medicine album at donnagentile.com/music and sign up for updates to stay connected.
Donna believes music is medicine. Native spirit-inspired songs came through her after prayers to ancestors during the birth of her child in 2000 and the passing of her father in 2013. Music also helped Gentile overcome abuse by giving her another creative way to heal, laugh, find her voice and reclaim her power. Gentile’s own healing journey after abuse fuels her passion for truth, freedom and empowering others on their healing journeys.
Gentile’s roots are Irish, Lithuanian and German on her mother’s side, and Italian and Slovakian on her father’s side (that the family knows of). She reminds us that we all come from indigenous peoples with rich traditions, and that we are all connected. Her heart is native. Donna grew up in the foothills of the Berkshire mountains in Connecticut and has deep connections to nature, which comes through in her songwriting. With parents singing at home—Mom whistling a happy tune and Dad singing and playing guitar, mandolin and harmonica—music rooted itself in Donna’s young heart, but she had no idea she could sing until later in life.
In 2006, after recording a birth song a cappella, Gentile’s vocal gift was revealed and Donna Gentile & The Human Element band formed with Gentile as lead vocalist playing rhythm guitar. The band performed R&B, swing, Zydeco, rockabilly and roots music and featured seasoned musicians Dan McNamara (vocals, piano, accordion), Steven Fishman (bass), Con “Coyote” Doty (lead guitar), Keith Legere (drums) and guest musicians on lap steel, mandolin and more.
Gentile went on to perform solo acoustic and as a duet with Rob “the Drummer” Gottfried (the legend who The Muppets fashioned “Animal” on Sesame Street after) at venues and events including Infinity Music Hall, Cheney Hall, Blueback Square, Mandell Jewish Community Center (with speaker, Meredith Baxter of Family Ties), Hope Out Loud Peace & Arts Festival, Legends Rock Bar, Northwest Park Nature Center, Lyceum Conference Center, Annual Walk for the Cure (WH) and numerous festivals, restaurants, coffee houses, farmers markets, benefits, house concerts and more.
Gentile’s music has been published on compilation albums to benefit people in recovery from abuse and addiction. This is Me is featured on The Thriver Workbook Companion CD published by Susan Omilian to benefit victims of abuse, and on Friday Night at LaSalle’s compilation CD to benefit Canton Community for Concern’s addiction recovery programs.
River Song For Kira, a gentle birthing song inspired by Cherokee tradition, was published in print in Voices Along the River: An Anthology of Nature Poems produced by the Connecticut DEP with the Kellogg Environmental Center and Osborne Homestead Museum to benefit programs that protect our rivers.
In 2013, Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk, CT selected Donna as a finalist in their Open Mic Competition.
In 2014, Gentile received a native name and was invited to perform River Song For Kira (Cherokee Gentle Birth Song), An American Song (for veterans), Crossing Over (honor song inspired by Tecumseh—Shawnee) and more at pow wows in New England including The Annual Daniel Nimham Pow Wow Honoring Veterans (Kent/Carmel, NY), Golden Hill Paugussett Pow Wow (Goshen, CT), Spirit of the Horse Pow Wow (Farmington, CT) and Wolf Den Pow Wow (Pomfret, CT).
In 2018, Gentile released her debut album Music is Medicine. Tracks feature Donna Gentile on vocals, acoustic guitar and Native hand drum, and Tom White on acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, bass, viola, violin and percussion. Listen and purchase at donnagentile.com/music.
The Summer of 2021 was the start of the American Joule On the Road journey when Donna and her daughter converted their vehicles and headed west for liberty. With twists and turns along the way, Gentile traveled the country with her cat to learn the old ways, share her gifts, explore community and purpose work, and find a liberty-loving place to call home.
Today, Donna is booking American Joule music in Durango, Colorado and the surrounding Four Corners area. She’s also working on a “Joule of Durango” jewelry and art line, which can be purchased at Urban Market in downtown Durango.
To see where Donna is performing live music next, visit donnagentile.com/events.
Stay tuned and subscribe for updates at donnagentile.com/email-signup.
Connect and book music at donnagentile.com/contact.