The name Sam Durrence may be new on the current Country Music scene but look for the name to continue to pop up more and more. Actually, Sam is not a newcomer at all. More than two decades ago Sam was one of the "new kids" in town stirring it up with his own brand of Country Music. Like the lyrics to that famous song, Rhinestone Cowboy, "there's been a load of compromising on the road to his new horizon". Sam was pursuing a career in broadcasting when he met the "Coal Miner's Daughter", Loretta Lynn. Sam had entered a talent contest in which the judges were made up of Nashville celebrities. Loretta was one of those judges. She and her assistant, Lorene Allen, encouraged Sam to take his music talent more seriously and to try his luck in Nashville. One year later he has his first song recorded by a major artist and had signed a contract to sing on a Hollywood soundtrack. This unexpected turn of events soon led him to abandon his pursuit of a broadcasting career. His last broadcasting job was at WHCO in Orlando, FL. While pursuing his music career and developing his music skills Sam maintained his interest in broadcasting but turned his focus toward television, often moon lighting as a television commercial actor or spokesperson. Sam found this to be a good means of extra income which would later lead to film school in Los Angeles.
Sam spent his childhood and early development years in an environment that was a mix of agriculture and outdoor recreation. "Not being a fan of pro sports" Sam says, "we were not allowed the time to devote to team sports activities. Our recreational time was usually spent at a rodeo event or drag racing, boating, hunting, fishing or playing on the beach. It was all about being self reliant and to challenge yourself against whatever the opposing force might be. Rely on yourself and the God that created you. I like it that way! Whenever possible, I like to drive my vehicles, fly my own airplane, catch my own fish, dress my own game, etc. I'm a hands on kind of guy."
Sam considers himself very blessed to have had the opportunity to enter the music industry so young and green. Why? Because it afforded him the additional blessed opportunity to use his talent and skills to work in the same venue with some of the greatest living legends in modern day show business: Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Roy Rogers, Carl Perkins, Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, just to name a few. "These are people I have known of my entire life. Bigger than life people. What an incredible honor to have had the opportunity to know and spend personal time with such Heroes and Legends." He put the music business behind him and focused on his interest in television and film production. Little did he know, he would never be able to get the music out of his system.
The last time we heard music from Sam Durrence was on RCA/BMG in Canada. Sam achieved numerous successes while recording for RCA in Canada. In addition to four successful singles from his own album, he also managed to see his talent achieve a highly coveted Juno Award in three categories for another act, which he produced. His winnings include: Country Song of the Year, Country Group of the Year, and Country Album of the Year for "Family Brown" featuring guest artist Willie Nelson. After dropping off of the music scene in Canada, Sam played a character in a Canadian television drama ..12 Steps...
Sam spent a couple of years pursuing his interest in humanitarian projects serving for one year as a special projects consultant for "Feed the Children" (Canada) also producing FTC television commercials for Canada. Sam traveled extensively abroad during this period also having served as a delegate to the United Nations Conference on Habitat in Istanbul, Turkey 1997. Film school and the development of film projects as remained his focus until recently. Sam is a certified film producer and director by Hollywood Film Institute. Sam also served as advisory board member for the Sedona Cultural Park in Sedona, Arizona until 2004 (Home of the Sedona Film Festival).
Now, finally after all this struggling to stay on hiatus the music has won! Sam entered into a new recording contract with Boomerville records in 2007. And since that time has been working on a new studio album in Nashville.
The first single "She'll be back again" was released in summer of 2007 and on week ending January 18th 2008 was spotlighted as being the number one country song on an independent label world wide according to Indy Country tracking service.
When recently asked about that surprising achievment Sam commented "I had mixed emotions about it, on one hand it was exciting to see my song at number one on that top 40 chart. On the other hand I felt a little guilty for knocking Merle Haggard off the number one spot, he has always been a hero of mine"
Sam's new 10 song CD is scheduled for release in Fall 2008. The new product is being mixed and mastered by legendary studio engineer Milan Bogdan.
Hello Cuz-That was my # you called. Have moved into bigger digs,and have bad cell reception-will call asap. Lots to catch up on on both ends I'm sure! God Bless you and yours, Mark/The Thin One
