Sam Barber (country musician)

Samuel Robert Barber (born April 15, 2003) is an American country singer-songwriter from Frohna, Missouri. He has released one studio EP, one live EP, and several singles.[3] Both of Barber's EP's and most of his singles were released through Lockeland Springs under Atlantic Records. His single "Straight and Narrow" was his first to chart in the U.S.[1] and is certified platinum by the RIAA.[4][5]

Sam Barber
Birth nameSamuel Robert Barber
Also known asSam R Barber
Born (2003-04-15) April 15, 2003 (age 21)
Perry County, Missouri, U.S.
OriginFrohna, Missouri, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instruments
Years active2021–present
Labels
Websitesambarbermusic.com

Early life

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Barber was born to a mechanic, his father, and a nurse, his mother. He was raised on his family's large ancestral farm in Frohna, Missouri. His focus for much of his child and teenage life was on athletics and school;[1] Barber didn't begin to learn to play music until he learned about his great-grandfather's music ability when he was 16. He wrote some of his now-released songs around this time, but wouldn't release them until years after.[1] Before releasing music, he enrolled in the civil engineering program at the State Technical College of Missouri.[3]

Career

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2021-2022: Social media and American Idol

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Beginning in 2021, while still enrolled at the State Technical College, Barber released videos on short-form social media platform TikTok performing original songs as well as covers. His first video on the platform displaying his music was posted on March 14, 2021.[3] Barber first gained popularity on the platform when he posted a video of himself performing a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man", followed by videos of covers of "Dancing in the Sky" by English duo Dani and Lizzy - which he later released as a single - and "Ophelia" by The Lumineers.[3]

On September 6, 2021, Barber would release his first single, "Run Away High", via digital download and streaming.[6]

In late 2021 and early 2022, Sam Barber auditioned during the filming of the twentieth season of American Idol.[3] Although he received a golden ticket to Hollywood Week following his performance, he was eliminated and neither his audition nor his performance at Hollywood Week would air.[7]

Barber's next release wouldn't be until May of the following year with the single "Ramblin Man" on May 8, 2022.[6] Another long release gap appeared before the releases of "Straight and Narrow" on November 30 and "As Time Passes" on December 15, 2022. The former would eventually become his first charted song and certified gold by the RIAA.[4][6]

2023-present: Million Eyes and Restless Mind

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Barber headlined his first event on June 11, 2023 during a sold-out performance at The Basement, a concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee.[8] Shortly following this, Barber performed at Bruce Springsteen's BST Hyde Park series on July 8,[9] and opened for Ed Sheeran on July 14 at a performance at the Royal Oak Theater.[10] Only three months after his first headliner, Barber made his official Grand Ole Opry debut on September 23.[11][1]

On September 21, 2023, Barber released his debut EP, Million Eyes, through Lockeland and Atlantic.[12] This EP includes five previously-released singles as well as three new songs. Barber has stated that his favorite song off the EP is "Save Me", a ballad about struggles with mental health.[3][1]

On January 5, 2024, Barber released a live EP, Live EP 001, which includes live performances of some of the songs from Million Eyes and other singles.[13]

On February 9, 2024, Barber released his first single of the year, "S.O.B." Prior to the release of the single, Barber held a fan vote on social media platform Instagram between three potential songs, which "S.O.B." ultimately won.[14] One month later, on March 14, 2024, Barber released his second single of the year, "Streetlight"[15]

On July 19, 2024, Barber released "Tear Us Apart" as a single from the soundtrack album, Twisters: The Album.[16]

On August 9, 2024, Barber announced via Instagram his 25-city "Restless Mind" concert tour and the release of his next single, "Better Year".[17] On August 23, 2024, Barber released a two-song single which contained "Better Year" and a cover of an unreleased song written by Tyler Childers, "Jersey Giant".[17][18] On October 11, 2024, Barber released another single, "Thought of You".[19] Three days later, Barber announced the release of his debut album, "Restless Mind", on November 1, 2024. The album will contain 27 tracks, including "Streetlight", "S.O.B.", and "Straight and Narrow", as well as his three most recent singles.[18]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums with release dates
Title Details
Restless Mind

Extended plays

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List of EPs with selected chart positions and release dates
Title Details Peak Chart Positions
US
Country

[20]
Million Eyes
  • Released: September 21, 2023
  • Label: Lockeland Springs and Atlantic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD
40
Live EP 001
  • Released: January 5, 2024
  • Label: Lockeland Springs and Atlantic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album / EP
US
[21]
US Rock
[22]
AUS
[23]
CAN
[24]
IRE
[25]
"Run Away High" 2021 Non-album singles
"Ramblin Man" 2022
"Straight and Narrow" [A] 13 41 53 29 Million Eyes and Restless Mind
"As Time Passes" Non-album single
"Drowning" 2023 Million Eyes
"Ghost Town"
"Dancing in the Sky"
"All That I Have"
"S.O.B." 2024 Restless Mind
"Streetlight"
"Tear Us Apart" Twisters: The Album
"Better Year" Restless Mind
"Jersey Giant"
"Thought of You"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

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  1. ^ "Straight and Narrow" did not enter the Billboard US Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number thirteen on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Nicholson, Jessica (October 12, 2023). "'Straight and Narrow' Singer Sam Barber on His Breakthrough Song: 'I Think It Has Found Its Own Kind of Purpose' | Billboard's October Rookie of the Month made his Grand Ole Opry debut in September". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Zellner, Xander (April 12, 2023). "10 First Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Jisoo, Luh Tyler, Xikers, Sam Barber & More | These 10 acts are brand new to Billboard's charts dated April 15". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Rooten, Melanie (January 4, 2024). "Who Is Sam Barber? Meet The "Straight And Narrow" Singer". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Greene, Cam (January 3, 2024). "Sam Barber's "Straight & Narrow" Is Certified Gold". Country Central. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "GOLD & PLATINUM". RIAA. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Barber, Sam. "MUSIC". Sam Barber Music. Sam Barber & Outlaw Foundry. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  7. ^ Hotop, Justin (April 14, 2022). "Barber made it to Hollywood Week". Republic Monitor. Perryville Republic Monitor. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "SOLD OUT! SAM BARBER". The Basement. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  9. ^ Mower, Maxim (July 9, 2023). "Sam Barber Delivers Debut BST Hyde Park 2023 Performance". Holler Country. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Mower, Maxim (July 14, 2023). "Ed Sheeran Announces Sam Barber as Support for Subtract Tour Date in Royal Oak, Michigan". Holler Country. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Hotop, Justin (September 28, 2023). "Barber performs at Grand Ole Opry". Republic Monitor. Perryville Republic Monitor. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Crabtree, Mary C. (September 21, 2023). "Sam Barber Delivers Impressive Debut EP With 'Million Eyes'". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  13. ^ Crabtree, Mary Claire. "Sam Barber Releases 'Live EP 001,' & The Audience BROUGHT It". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Crabtree, Mary Claire (February 9, 2024). "Sam Barber Wrestles With Intrusive Thoughts On New Single "S.O.B."". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  15. ^ Humphrey, Jack (March 7, 2024). "Sam Barber Announces New Song "Streetlight"". Country Central. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  16. ^ "Twisters soundtrack has landed: Hear new songs from your favorite country stars". Sierra Daily News. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Kelly, Brennen (August 9, 2024). "Sam Barber Announces 2024 "Reckless Mind" Tour, As Well As New Song "Better Year"". Country Chord. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Patton, Alli (October 11, 2024). "Sam Barber to Drop Debut Album, 'Restless Mind', on November 1". Holler Country. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Patton, Alli (October 14, 2024). "'Thought of You' by Sam Barber - Lyrics & Meaning". Holler Country. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  20. ^ "Top Country Albums: Week of October 7, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "Sam Barber". Australian Charts. eMedia Jungen. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  25. ^ "Irish Charts". IRMA. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  26. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Sam Barber – Straight and Narrow". Music Canada.