“I am Sam”
The oldest of four boys, Samuel Robert Michael Masterton grew up in Fort Langley, BC. Inspired by a Ben Harper CD he was given by a fellow border on the slopes one day, Sam bought a slideguitar and learned to play. Today he’s 28, and has been playing to critical acclaim for almost a decade – as a session musician, as a founding member of RUN GMC (on the West Coast) and as a solo artist.
As far as one DJ is concerned, Sam is a “local lapsliding, pickin' and grinnin', dobrolicious” favourite. And his music has been described as, among other things, “gospel country roots”, “truck-drivin', foot-stompin' hillbilly [mania]”, and “acoustic swing with a backbeat”. Whatever the adjectives, Sam is good and his music is great and people with working ears and any sense at all are starting to take notice.
His first CD (self-titled, independently released, and recorded in his Calgary kitchen) is available now.
And while he’s certainly found his footing in the Canadian music world, Sam’s taken a fairly long and winding road to get here:
After high school, he studied theology and played varsity hockey at a local college, but dropped out to pursue acting (at Studio 58). Unfulfilled, he quit that too, and set his sights on a career in music. While he honed his craft, Sam worked odd jobs: he tended bar and hit the kitchen on several continents, worked as a rough neck on an oil rig, and spent 114 days at sea as a deck hand for a fishing lodge and as a medic in the oil patch.
And while the pay was good, the time spent away from his dog and his guitar was too much. He left to play music full time. (Which is a good thing: Many guys working the rigs lose their fingers; Sam got out with all his digits intact.)
When he’s not playing (which is most of the time), Sam travels, skateboards, snowboards, and plays hockey. He loves Tetris, chess, straw-bale construction, and Steam Whistle beer. He’s also learning to refinish pianos and builds and sells his own lapslide guitars.
Sam dedicates his performances to his beloved dog Felicia, may God rest her soul.
What would I do without your infinite plethara if knowledge. We really need to make this jam sess. happen...all talk no action. I'll be in Van in Jan. look you up then!
Just the other day i was speaking of you to my friends in Colorado on how great you are... Super sweet mustache, slide guitar player/singer, friend and coolest bar tender that would let us stay late after closing. Hope your doing very fine.
Thanx Bunches for the Friendship. Please sign up to be a Fan to help keep the Netty Mac Train Chuggin'. This site is amazing! THIS SITE IS A MUSICIANS BEST FRIEND! It is rated by # page visits, # songs played, # of new fans - the higher the ranking the higher the odds of the Music Industry Execs will notice you. Cheerz & have a HUGE day!!
Hey Sam... Wow!! Great stuff. I recommend you check out Joe Grass on myspace and listen to the tune "Spring Wonder" I think you'll dig it. Let me know when your next show is in Calgary I'd like to check it out. Cheers
Thanks man, I'm assuming if it was up to you we would've played it with you. Hey, February is recording time for our 3rd record. Would love to have you on it. I'll contact you with specific dates soon. Peace my brother,
hi sam...really enjoyed listening to your music...wish i could have caught the show at thundering word but i'm on the sunshine coast and don't make it van that often. hope you stay in touch, take care, a.
flyin in to Calgary tonight. Flight lands 11:39pm. Gonna miss the shuttle to Banff. Looks like will have to sleep in airport. Thought maybe if you were around I could crash in the old pad.
