Sam Outlaw
Sam Outlaw | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sam Morgan |
| Born | July 28, 1982 Aberdeen, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | country music singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals Guitar |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Six Shooter Records |
| Website | www |
Sam Morgan (born July 28, 1982), professionally known as Sam Outlaw, is a country music singer-songwriter. Outlaw calls his music "SoCal country", country music refashioned with a Southern California vibe of the classic honky-tonk and troubadour pop.[1]
Early life
Outlaw was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota as Sam Morgan.[2] At the age of 10, his family moved to southern California. He grew up in a conservative Christian home and was limited by his parents as to what kind of music he could listen to. He did however, note the influence of Western Swing band Asleep at the Wheel and how their all-star tribute albums to Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys acted as "country music in a bottle" for him. The Beatles were also a huge influence on Outlaw. As a young adult, he had a musical revelation when he heard the classic country voices of Emmylou Harris and George Jones. Outlaw notes that George Jones' music inspired him to get more serious about playing the guitar and writing songs.[3]
In "his late 20s ... both his parents’ and his own marriage simultaneously crumbled."[4]
When Outlaw decided to actively pursue a music career, he borrowed his mother's maiden name, Outlaw, for a stage moniker. His mother has since passed and he honors her by continuing to use the family name.[1]
Career
Sam Outlaw had a successful advertising career in Southern California; however, on his thirtieth birthday he switched gears to pursue his passion for music. Outlaw self-released an EP in 2014. It immediately created a buzz and he secured performance slots at the Stagecoach Festival and AmericanaFest produced by the Americana Music Association.[5]
CMT featured his music video, Cry For Me, in 2014.
While enlisting a crack group of backing musicians to record Angeleno, Outlaw’s first LP, he began working with musician and record producer, Ry Cooder. Outlaw wrote all of the songs on Angeleno. Ry Cooder and his son, drummer Joachim Cooder, co-produced and played on the album. Other musicians on the album include Bo Koster, Taylor Goldsmith, Gabe Witcher and vocalist Arnold McCuller.[6]
On March 3, 2015, Outlaw was signed to the reputable Six Shooter Records as its first US act.[7] Outlaw was featured in Rolling Stone as one of the top country music artists to see at SXSW in 2015.[8]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Heat [9] | ||
| Angeleno |
|
22 |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Cry for Me"[10] | Matt Wignall |
| 2015 | "Ghost Town"[11] | Vern Moen |
| 2016 | "Angeleno"[12] | Max Cutrone |
References
- ^ a b "Introducing a Country Singer Living in Los Angeles". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ Rapid, Stephen (February 17, 2014). "Interview With Sam Outlaw By Stephen Rapid". Lonesome Highway. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Exclusive Video Premiere: "Ghost Town" by Sam Outlaw". The Daily South. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
- ^ http://www.laweekly.com/music/sam-outlaw-is-on-a-mission-to-make-country-music-that-doesn-t-suck-6868319
- ^ "Sam Outlaw Spreads SoCal Country Sound With 'Angeleno'". The Boot. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
- ^ "Listen to Sam Outlaw and Ry Cooder Redefine California Country". Rolling Stone. March 10, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "ARTIST CHAMPION + INDUSTRY VET MICHELLE AQUILATO JOINS SIX SHOOTER RECORDS AS USA GENERAL MANAGER". Six Shooter Records. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "SXSW 2015: 21 Country-Music Artists You Need to See". Rolling Stone. March 12, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Sam Outlaw Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ "Sam Outlaw | Cry for Me | Music Video | CMT". CMT. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Sam Outlaw : Ghost Town". Country Music Television. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (February 26, 2016). "Premiere: L.A. country artist Sam Outlaw hits the rodeo in 'Angeleno' video". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 29, 2016.