We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sam Roberts. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sam below.
Sam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I have been singing, teaching & directing in church since a young age. It was said that before I spoke words I sang a song. To me the foundation of my career is the years I served (and continue to serve) in church. Discipline, organization, directing style, sharpening my ear, perfecting the flow, etc. were instilled in me at church. Once I stepped out on faith and decided to pursue this recording artist journey, I learned from trial and error, observing artists who were operating at the level I desired to be on and always being hungry to learn. I’m a sponge. I have been around so many amazing opportunities, people & platforms and I learned something from each one. One thing that made it difficult was I started at a time when being a recording artist was perceived to be an unachievable ambition. There wasn’t the convenience of recording that we have today or accessibility to artists to get more insight and advice on how to move that social media provides. A lot of what I did was a first for not only myself but the singers and musicians that were taking this journey with me. So still to this day, I am learning and taking in as much as I can to be a better artist.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a singer, songwriter, arranger, director & producer. I am extremely critical of my work and others.. but it produces quality projects & songs. I pride myself on being multifaceted, I am not boxed into one style or expression. I believe that is a requirement of a great musician. I am normally associated with the “choir” world because I have has a bit of success with my current aggregation, The Levites Assembly. I get calls to staff events and provide background vocals and arrangements for artists around the globe. I have 4 full projects out and multiple singles. Most of which have charted on Itunes, Billboard, Luminate, BDS (radio) and more. My remake of a gospel classic “Over & Over” has been taught and sung all across the country. A song I wrote entitled “Make It” recorded by Charles Butler & Trinity broke top 15 on Radio and has been performed numerous times internationally. At the end of the day I am just a regular guy from Alexandria, VA who has been blessed to do what I know I am purposed to do
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In the current streaming based music industry artists need support now more than ever before. Supporting an artist you enjoy and believe in is pretty simple but makes a huge impact. Purchase their music/product, stream it when you want to listen to it, post about it, Like & share the content, and. lastly, tell someone about it (word of mouth). Consumers tend to be more vocal about bigger artists that they don’t know personally than an independent/up and coming artists they have relationship with.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me the most rewarding part is hearing the testimonies of people who my music has touched. Also, churches & groups singing my music is the goal I have in mind when I am creating. So that is an amazing feeling. Mission accomplished. One other aspect that motivates me is being an example to people who feel called to this music thing. Showing them that it is possible to be a regular person and achieve great things.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/justsamroberts
- Facebook: Facebook.com/samrobertsandla
- Twitter: X.com/justsamroberts
- Youtube: Youtube.com/samrobertsandla