The Steeldrivers

Sam Lewis isn’t just a musician. He’s a weaver of tales, capturing the essence of human experience in every note and lyric. Chris Stapleton calls him “a modern Townes Van Zandt,” with good reason. Lewis’s voice, often likened to molasses dripping from a Southern porch, carries a soulful weight that transcends genre. His music is a gumbo of feel-good grooves and vital social commentary. It is a testament to years spent honing his craft on the red dirt roads of the American Southeast. Read Sam’s biography to learn more about this soulful storyteller weaving tales of humanity.

From Wandering Soul to Nashville Icon: The Rise of Sam Lewis
Nashville became his home in 2009. Since then his musical family has included some of the industry’s finest. His discography, like a treasured anthology, reveals his artistic evolution. These include his self-titled debut (2012), the yearning “Waiting On You” (2015), the introspective “Loversity” (2018), and the stripped-down intimacy of “Solo” (2020). Each album, co-produced by legends like Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) and graced by the talents of music royalty like Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson), Darrell Scott (Robert Plant), and the McCrary Sisters, has garnered critical acclaim, showcasing Lewis’ unyielding commitment to raw songwriting.

Building His Musical Family: Lewis’s Collaborations with Industry Legends
“Waiting On You,” co-produced with Wood, was a masterclass in soulful expression. Rolling Stone included Lewis in their “10 New Artists to Watch” list for “Loversity,” an album Marissa Moss described as “seventies psychedelic soul with a storyteller’s eye, a swampy Southern groove, and an emotional, political punch.” Lewis’ band, featured a star-packed rhythm section including JT Cure and Derek Mixon (Chris Stapleton) as well as guitarists Kenny Vaughan (Marty Stuart) and Dan Cohen (Bruce Hornsby). They provide the bedrock for his sonic explorations, ensuring each album is a journey into the heart of Americana.

A decade spent crisscrossing the globe solo, captivating audiences with his songs and stories honed Lewis’ stagecraft. “SOLO” (2020), recorded live in Nashville, is a testament to his raw talent and magnetic charisma. It’s an intimate snapshot, a fan favorite sure to endure.

“HARLEY KIMBRO LEWIS”: Three Weavers, One Tapestry
2021 saw the birth of HARLEY KIMBRO LEWIS, a collaboration simmering for nearly a decade. The trio, Martin Harley, Daniel Kimbro, and Sam Lewis, weave their musical voices into a tapestry of original songs, channeling the spirit of “The Band” in their writing and recording process. This power trio blends the best of Americana and blues in a must-see show. The band recently appeared on PBS’s epic show The Caverns Sessions. Check out their performance!

Superposition A New Release by Sam Lewis
Sam Lewis’ long-awaited new solo album (released 2024) SUPERPOSITION is his first since 2020, and it irresistibly fuses Americana undertones to hazy, dream-like melodies with psychedelic instrumental flourishes. Comprising eight atmospherically captivating originals alongside a compellingly unique take on Dire Straits ‘Walk of Life.’ Superposition . . . . is the concept where a quantum system exists in multiple states simultaneously until observed or measured.

This succinctly captures the essence of Sam Lewis’s latest body of work. Beyond the dense physics, over the past four years, Lewis has undergone profound personal growth beyond the dense physics, navigating the complexities of embracing his former self and a new identity simultaneously. This new sound may feel like a departure for those familiar with Lewis’s music over the years. Indeed, it is – a necessary evolution. Stepping into the studio, Lewis relinquished control and any sense of preciousness over his songs for the first time; Lewis says,’It was a daunting yet liberating experience, filled with terror, exhilaration, and boundless inspiration. Thankfully, I found myself in the hands of exceptionally creative and supportive collaborators during one of the most turbulent periods we’ve faced together.’

While each album offers a distinct flavor, Lewis’ music invariably circles back to a universal truth: “We are all trying to get somewhere — all running from something or toward something; we’re all in it together, though.” He doesn’t just sing it; he embodies it, making every listener feel part of the human tapestry he so beautifully paints with his music.

A group of seasoned veterans – each distinguished in his or her own right, each valued in the town’s commercial community – who are seizing an opportunity to follow their hearts to their souls’ reward. In doing so, they are braiding their bluegrass roots with new threads of their own design, bringing together country, soul, blues, and other contemporary influences to create an unapologetic hybrid that is old as the hills but fresh as the morning dew. This is new music with the old feeling. SteelDrivers fan Vince Gill describes the band’s fusion as simply “an incredible combination”

Specializing in a unique mix of what might be called bluegrass soul, the SteelDrivers have become one of the biggest names in progressive bluegrass after making their debut in 2005. While there’s a strong traditional streak in the SteelDrivers sound, they bring a passion to their delivery that adds a distinctive flavor, and they’re not afraid of adding a forceful grit to the music.

The SteelDrivers have been nominated for four Grammys, the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year and was IBMA’s 2009 Emerging Artist of The Year. In 2015, “The Muscle Shoals Recordings” won the Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Recording.

The SteelDrivers are: Richard Bailey (banjo), Tammy Rogers (fiddle), Mike Fleming (bass), Brent Truitt (mandolin), and Matt Dame (Guitar)