“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.
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.
Roger wilco Brother, Thanks for the kind words and yes, we definately have to hook up and record together! I'll let you know (with good time) when we're gonna do our 3rd record so we can make sure you are there to lay down some sweet buttery slide... Let us know if you want to share the stage again either with your solo stuff or with Run GMC. We'll make the drive...even to Alberta. Peace goodtunage dude yourself!
Sammy, Copy... Playing Saturday and Sunday.. Join me on Sunday at the Unicorn for the May Long Jam.. Some great peeps coming out to play, Johnny Weaver, Amy Thiessen, DC Matthews, and Sammy M. Shippin @ The Unicorn..you in? Call me 454-FISH Ace out!!
Hello Sam! Thank-you so very much for the add. I am constantly amazed at how many talented musicians there are in Calgary. Perhaps I should stop being amazed and just accept it as fact :). Love that picture by the window....was that taken in Calgary?
