Sam Outlaw

Sam Outlaw
Sam Outlaw at Interstellar Rodeo 2016 Edmonton, Canada
Background information
Birth name Sam Morgan
Born (1982-07-28) July 28, 1982
Aberdeen, South Dakota, U.S.
Genres Country, Honky Tonk, Americana
Occupation(s) country music singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Guitar
Years active 2009–present
Labels Six Shooter Records
Website www.samoutlaw.com

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]

Outlaw's second studio album Tenderheart was released on April 14 and debuted at number 3 on the UK Country Albums Chart[9] and garnered two award nominations from the British Country Music Association.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak positions Sales
US
Heat
[10]		 US
Indie
[11]		 UK
Country
[12][13]
Angeleno 22 — 4
Tenderheart 17 42 3
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Video Director
2014 "Cry for Me"[15] Matt Wignall
2015 "Ghost Town"[16] Vern Moen
2016 "Angeleno"[17] Max Cutrone

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryNominated WorkResult
2017UK Americana Awards[18]International Album Of The YearAngelenoWon
Americana Music Honors & AwardsEmerging Artist of the YearSam OutlawNominated
British Country Music Association Awards[19]International Artist of the YearNominated
International Song of the Year"Tenderheart"Nominated
2018UK Americana Awards[20]Won

References

  1. 1 2 "Introducing a Country Singer Living in Los Angeles". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ Rapid, Stephen (February 17, 2014). "Interview With Sam Outlaw By Stephen Rapid". Lonesome Highway. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Exclusive Video Premiere: "Ghost Town" by Sam Outlaw". The Daily South. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  4. ↑ http://www.laweekly.com/music/sam-outlaw-is-on-a-mission-to-make-country-music-that-doesn-t-suck-6868319
  5. ↑ "Sam Outlaw Spreads SoCal Country Sound With 'Angeleno'". The Boot. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Listen to Sam Outlaw and Ry Cooder Redefine California Country". Rolling Stone. March 10, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ "ARTIST CHAMPION + INDUSTRY VET MICHELLE AQUILATO JOINS SIX SHOOTER RECORDS AS USA GENERAL MANAGER". Six Shooter Records. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ "SXSW 2015: 21 Country-Music Artists You Need to See". Rolling Stone. March 12, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/country-artists-albums-chart/
  10. ↑ "Sam Outlaw Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  12. ↑ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20 - 15 April 2016 - 21 April 2016". Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20 - 14 April 2017 - 20 April 2017". Official Charts Company.
  14. ↑ Bjorke, Matt (April 24, 2017). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: April 24, 2017". Roughstock.
  15. ↑ "Sam Outlaw | Cry for Me | Music Video | CMT". CMT. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  16. ↑ "CMT : Videos : Sam Outlaw : Ghost Town". Country Music Television. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ https://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-section/music-news/uk-americana-awards-2017-winners-announced/
  19. ↑ http://britishcma.co.uk/bcma-awards-2017-nominees-announced/
  20. ↑ https://twitter.com/theSamOutlaw/status/959390553602437120
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