Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2022, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Sam Outlaw, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 31 July 2022.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Sam Outlaw who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
photo credit: Robby Klein
Sam Outlaw
This quote was submitted on Sunday 31 July 2022.
‘Gene Watson is one of the all-time great country singers.
His albums helped me fall in love with classic country and I consider his songs among the best of the genre’
Thank you, Sam Outlaw, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Sam Outlaw…
Sam Outlaw, who was born Sam Morgan in Aberdeen, South Dakota on Wednesday 28 July 1982, is professionally known as Sam Outlaw, and is a country music singer-songwriter and producer. When Sam Morgan decided to actively pursue a music career, he borrowed his mother’s maiden name, Outlaw, for a stage moniker. Sam Morgan’s mother has since died and he honours her by continuing to use the family name.
Sam Outlaw calls his music ‘SoCal Country’, country music refashioned with a Southern California vibe of the classic honky-tonk and troubadour pop.
When he was ten years old, Sam Morgan’s family moved to southern California. Sam Morgan grew up in a conservative Christian home and was limited by his parents as to what kind of music he could listen to.
Sam Morgan did, however, note the influence of Western Swing band, Asleep At The Wheel, and how their all-star tribute albums to Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) & His Texas Playboys acted as ‘country music in a bottle’ for him.
The Beatles were also a huge influence on Sam Outlaw.
As a young adult, Sam Morgan had a musical revelation when he heard the classic country voices of Emmylou Harris and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013).
Sam Morgan noted that George Jones‘ music inspired him to get more serious about playing the guitar and writing songs.
When Sam Morgan decided to actively pursue a music career, he borrowed his mother’s maiden name, Outlaw, for a stage moniker. Sam Morgan’s mother has since died and he honours her by continuing to use the family name.
Sam Outlaw had a successful advertising career in southern California.
However, on his thirtieth birthday, Sam Outlaw switched gears to pursue his passion for music.
On Monday 28 January 2013, Sam Outlaw saw the release of ‘Nobody Loves’ (Black Hills Records, 2013), which included the following tracks:
‘Diamond Ring’
‘Say It To Me’
‘Two Broken Hearts’
‘It Might Kill Me’
‘She’s Playing Hard (To Get Rid of)’
‘Lonely Man’
‘Humility’
‘Country Love Song’
‘Keep It Interesting’
‘Who Do You Think You Are’
‘Get To Know Me’
In 2014, Sam Outlaw saw the release of a self-released extended play (EP) disc, ‘Sam Outlaw’ (Sam Outlaw Independent Release, 2014), which immediately created a buzz and, as a result, Sam Outlaw secured performance slots at The Stagecoach Festival and AmericanaFest, which was produced by The Americana Music Association.
Sam Outlaw’s self-titled extended play (EP) disc, ‘Sam Outlaw’ (Sam Outlaw Independent Release, 2014), included the following tracks:
‘Cry For Me’
‘Kind To Me’
‘Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink (& Fall In Love)’
‘Something That I Gotta Do’
‘Ghost Town’
It was also in 2014 when Country Music Television (CMT) featured Sam Outlaw’s music video, ‘Cry For Me’.
On Tuesday 3 March 2015, Sam Outlaw was signed to the reputable Canadian Six Shooter Records in Toronto, Ontario as its first United States act.
In 2015, Sam Outlaw was featured in Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top country music artists to see at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
On Tuesday 9 June 2015, Sam Outlaw saw the release of ‘Angeleno’ (Six Shooter Records, 2015), which was produced by Ry Cooder and Joachim Cooder, and included the following tracks:
‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Keep it Interesting’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘I’m Not Jealous’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Love Her For A While’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Angeleno’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Country Love Song’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Ghost Town’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Jesus, Take The Wheel (& Drive Me To A Bar)’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘It Might Kill Me’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Keep A Close Eye On Me’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Old Fashioned’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
‘Hole Down In My Heart’ (written by Sam Outlaw)
Personnel involved in the recording of Sam Outlaw’s ‘Angeleno’ (Six Shooter Records, 2015) included the following:
Sam Outlaw (lead vocals)
Ry Cooder (guitar)
Joachim Cooder (drums)
Bo Koster
Taylor Goldsmith
Gabe Witcher
Arnold McCuller (vocals)
Sam Outlaw’s ‘Angeleno’ (Six Shooter Records, 2015) reached No.22 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart in 2015, and No.4 on the United Kingdom Albums Chart in 2015.
On Friday 14 April 2017, Sam Outlaw saw the release of ‘Tenderheart’ (Six Shooter Records, 2017), which included the following tracks:
‘Everyone’s Looking For Home’
‘Bottomless Mimosas’
‘Bougainvillea, I Think’
‘Tenderheart’
‘Trouble’
‘She’s Playing Hard To Get (Rid of)’
‘Two Broken Hearts’
‘Diamond Ring’
‘Say It To Me’
‘All My Life’
‘Dry In The Sun’
‘Now She Tells Me’
‘Look At You Now’
Sam Outlaw’s ‘Tenderheart’ (Six Shooter Records, 2017) reached No.17 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart in 2017, No.42 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2017 and No.3 on the United Kingdom Albums Chart in 2017.
Sam Outlaw’s ‘Tenderheart’ (Six Shooter Records, 2017) garnered two award nominations from the British Country Music Association.
On Friday 3 May 2019, Sam Outlaw made his debut on The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
On Friday 3 May 2019, Sam Outlaw saw the release of ‘Hat Acts’ (Black Hills Recordings, 2019), an extended play (EP) disc, which included the following tracks:
Act I
‘I Like Your Hat. Do You Wanna Smoke?’
‘Cigarette’
Act II
‘Nice Song. See You Later’
‘Shake A Heartache’
Act III
‘Nice Hat’
‘Humility’
On Friday 26 July 2019, Sam Outlaw saw the release of ‘Forever & Always’ (Black Hills Recordings, 2019), a duet with Sarah Darling, which was streamed across streaming platforms, and was also a radio single in the United Kingdom.
On Friday 27 September 2019, Sam Outlaw saw the release of his first project as a producer, when Michaela Anne‘s ‘Desert Dove’ (Yep Roc Records, 2019) was released. Sam Outlaw co-produced the album with longtime friend, collaborator and member of Delta Spirit, Kelly Winrich.
Rolling Stone described Michaela Anne’s ‘Desert Dove’ (Yep Roc Records, 2019) as ‘a shimmering sonic statement of purpose that cements the 33-year-old artist as a nuanced songwriter with a penchant for telling difficult stories’.
Michaela Anne’s ‘Desert Dove’ (Yep Roc Records, 2019) garnered critical acclaim from a number of outlets, including Rolling Stone, Stereogum, and Entertainment Focus, who included the record on each of their respective end of year ‘Best of 2019’ lists.
On Friday 12 November 2021, Sam Outlaw saw the release of ‘Popular Mechanics’ (Black Hills Recordings, 2021), which included the following tracks:
‘Here On A Mission’
‘Popular Mechanics’
‘Half A World Away’
‘For The Rest of Our Lives’
‘Sun Ain’t Set’
‘Polyamorous’
‘Stay The Night’
‘Bad Enough’
‘Language of Love’
‘Daydreaming’
‘When You Feel It’
• Visit Sam Outlaw’s official site at samoutlaw.com
• Like Sam Outlaw on Facebook