Sam Sims

A tented area of the parking lot of 786 River Road (Smart Start Preschool) is the setting for a rain or shine Oktoberfest event to sponsor future Fair Haven Days events. Entrance fee includes authentic Oktoberfest food and music by Sam Sims; Oktoberfest beverages will be for sale, and a Beer Pong Tournament for prizes will be held (per game fee charged). 21 and over; click for email link to RSVP and advance tix. - The Red Bank Green

A tented area of the parking lot of 786 River Road (Smart Start Preschool) is the setting for a rain or shine Oktoberfest event to sponsor future Fair Haven Days events. Entrance fee includes authentic Oktoberfest food and music by Sam Sims; Oktoberfest beverages will be for sale, and a Beer Pong Tournament for prizes will be held (per game fee charged). 21 and over; click for email link to RSVP and advance tix. - The Red Bank Green

The talented Sam Sims Delighted Festival Attendees
"The Two River Times" - Lynne Ward

The talented Sam Sims Delighted Festival Attendees
"The Two River Times" - Lynne Ward

I recently had the chance to run down to a local hangout in Indialantic, Florida to shoot a small venue that I had just found out about the day before. I was photographing a small venue up the road, when someone approached me and said, “You should photograph my friend tomorrow; he’s playing at Lou’s Blues and his name is Sam Sims.” I had never heard of Sam Sims and I didn’t have time to listen to him on Youtube prior to photographing him as I usually do as we were visiting a friend in Melbourne. When his friend Angela told me he played the guitar, I just thought I’d give it a shot. I’m glad I did. Sam Sims is a true artist whose gifted guitar is only surpassed by his smooth vocals. He reminds me of a young Jim Croce and sitting there listening to him takes you back to the 70’s. I like that. I like photographing musicians whose music comes from the soul. That inspires me when I photograph them. It’s not all about the photo for me. I like to feel something when I’m photographing an artist. When you can capture the soul of the artist in an image, it’s a good day. - Steve Neff

I recently had the chance to run down to a local hangout in Indialantic, Florida to shoot a small venue that I had just found out about the day before. I was photographing a small venue up the road, when someone approached me and said, “You should photograph my friend tomorrow; he’s playing at Lou’s Blues and his name is Sam Sims.” I had never heard of Sam Sims and I didn’t have time to listen to him on Youtube prior to photographing him as I usually do as we were visiting a friend in Melbourne. When his friend Angela told me he played the guitar, I just thought I’d give it a shot. I’m glad I did. Sam Sims is a true artist whose gifted guitar is only surpassed by his smooth vocals. He reminds me of a young Jim Croce and sitting there listening to him takes you back to the 70’s. I like that. I like photographing musicians whose music comes from the soul. That inspires me when I photograph them. It’s not all about the photo for me. I like to feel something when I’m photographing an artist. When you can capture the soul of the artist in an image, it’s a good day. - Steve Neff

Somewhere between Chicago’s Jim Croce and Florida
transplant Jimmy Buffett resides the music of Sam
Sims. With the depth of meaning and heart-torn soul of
Croce and the laid back sunshine & tequila of Buffett, Sims
acoustic music is sure to entice people from all around to
follow him to the beach. There’s just no way to be uptight
when Sam Sims is playing.
The music is feel good, gentle and sparse. Following
the singer songwriter tradition it’s the songs that matter and
they shine brightest when not cluttered with unnecessary
instrumentation and production. The added instruments
are tastefully done and keep their place in the background.
These songs could easily be presented by just Sam’s silky
voice & his guitar but the production with the backing
group makes for a much more complete recording.
A smooth & lazy steel drum sprinkled throughout
the disc keeps the vibe in the sunshine making songs like
“Spread Your Love” best listened to under a warm sky with
a cool drink. The laid back percussion gently propels the
music along and the steel slide guitar is an interesting accompaniment.
The slide player has a style all their own,
not too country, not too Hawaiian but really a sound all
its own. The musicians are listed but unfortunately not by
instrument. It’d be interesting to learn more about this steel
guitar player. Ukulele and mandolin appear here and there
but really, how could you do a song like “Runaway Mahalo”
without them? These are some very tasteful strings
on a very tasteful record.
Sim’s liner notes speak of freedom and beauty and it
certainly shines through in every track on Neon Signs. Be
thankful you live in a place where you can sit in the sun,
drink margaritas and listen to Sam Sims. - Brevard Live - John Leach

Somewhere between Chicago’s Jim Croce and Florida
transplant Jimmy Buffett resides the music of Sam
Sims. With the depth of meaning and heart-torn soul of
Croce and the laid back sunshine & tequila of Buffett, Sims
acoustic music is sure to entice people from all around to
follow him to the beach. There’s just no way to be uptight
when Sam Sims is playing.
The music is feel good, gentle and sparse. Following
the singer songwriter tradition it’s the songs that matter and
they shine brightest when not cluttered with unnecessary
instrumentation and production. The added instruments
are tastefully done and keep their place in the background.
These songs could easily be presented by just Sam’s silky
voice & his guitar but the production with the backing
group makes for a much more complete recording.
A smooth & lazy steel drum sprinkled throughout
the disc keeps the vibe in the sunshine making songs like
“Spread Your Love” best listened to under a warm sky with
a cool drink. The laid back percussion gently propels the
music along and the steel slide guitar is an interesting accompaniment.
The slide player has a style all their own,
not too country, not too Hawaiian but really a sound all
its own. The musicians are listed but unfortunately not by
instrument. It’d be interesting to learn more about this steel
guitar player. Ukulele and mandolin appear here and there
but really, how could you do a song like “Runaway Mahalo”
without them? These are some very tasteful strings
on a very tasteful record.
Sim’s liner notes speak of freedom and beauty and it
certainly shines through in every track on Neon Signs. Be
thankful you live in a place where you can sit in the sun,
drink margaritas and listen to Sam Sims. - Brevard Live - John Leach

January 29, 2013

This appears to be a great year for the upcoming performer Sam Sims. The singer/songwriter, guitar, harmonica and ukulele playing performer is taking the music world by storm.

His fourth CD, "Into the Blue", will be released in the next few weeks. This compilation is a heartfelt reflection of the emotional highs and lows he experienced in 2012. Saturday Morning, Kanikapila and Open Roads are some of his best works to date.

His feel-good island vibe with acoustic Pop/Folk/Rock sounds are being well received from the Jersey Shore to Miami. This past weekend Sam entered the music scene in Melbourne, Florida to resounding praise. It seems everywhere he goes people love him and his music.

Sam was excited to be at the Singer/Songwriter Festival in Nashville this year. He is very excited to be in the midst of so many industry legends and to have the opportunity to play and be heard. His songs range from Popular Alternative Folk Country to Island Reggae Grooves. When asked, Sam says his style is most similar to Jim Croce, David Gray and Jack Johnson. Most importantly, Sam is unique and true to himself. He is a poet and sings of the joy, angst, heartbreak and love that surrounds us all.

Sam's love of surfing has recently brought him to the beaches of Nicaragua where he has fallen in love with the people. He is starting a music program down there for the children. Each time he visits, he brings donated guitars and ukuleles and teaches music to students, either in the schools or at the homes of friends. He hopes to grow this program and create a 501(c)3.

Sam is also booking a New England tour this summer. He and his band will be playing from New Jersey to Maine and spreading the love to an ever-growing audience.

It appears that Sam Sims' lucky number is 13! With so many opportunities on the horizon and a collection of his new, best material, he is truly ready to Rock and Roll, Island style!

Check out www.samsimsmusic.com for more information, gig dates and links to his music.

Contact Kimberly Newsome for press kits or cds. www.kimberlynewsome2001@yahoo.com
732 614 1085
- Kimberly Newsome

By Sarah Webster (Staff Writer)
September 18th, 2009

link to article:
www.samsimsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/samsimsmusic - Asbury Park Press (The Islander)