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 gold by the RIAA.[4][5]
Sam Barber | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Samuel Robert Barber |
| Also known as | Sam R Barber |
| Born | April 15, 2003 Perry County, Missouri, U.S. |
| Origin | Frohna, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | sambarbermusic |
Early life edit
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 edit
2021-2022: Social media and American Idol edit
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 Opry debut edit
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]
Discography edit
Extended plays edit
| Title | Details | Peak Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country [16] | |||
| Million Eyes | 40 | ||
| Live EP 001 |
|
— | |
Singles edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album / EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US Rock [18] |
AUS [19] |
CAN [20] |
IRE [21] | ||||
| "Run Away High" | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Ramblin Man" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Straight and Narrow" | —[A] | 13 | 41 | 53 | 29 | Million Eyes | ||
| "As Time Passes" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| "Drowning" | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | Million Eyes | |
| "Ghost Town" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Dancing in the Sky" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "All That I Have" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "S.O.B." | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Streetlight" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||
Notes edit
- ^ "Straight and Narrow" did not enter the Billboard US Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number thirteen on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[22]
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Greene, Cam (January 3, 2024). "Sam Barber's "Straight & Narrow" Is Certified Gold". Country Central. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "GOLD & PLATINUM". RIAA. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c Barber, Sam. "MUSIC". Sam Barber Music. Sam Barber & Outlaw Foundry. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Hotop, Justin (April 14, 2022). "Barber made it to Hollywood Week". Republic Monitor. Perryville Republic Monitor. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ "SOLD OUT! SAM BARBER". The Basement. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Mower, Maxim (July 9, 2023). "Sam Barber Delivers Debut BST Hyde Park 2023 Performance". Holler Country. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Hotop, Justin (September 28, 2023). "Barber performs at Grand Ole Opry". Republic Monitor. Perryville Republic Monitor. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Crabtree, Mary C. (September 21, 2023). "Sam Barber Delivers Impressive Debut EP With 'Million Eyes'". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ Crabtree, Mary Claire. "Sam Barber Releases 'Live EP 001,' & The Audience BROUGHT It". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Crabtree, Mary Claire (February 9, 2024). "Sam Barber Wrestles With Intrusive Thoughts On New Single "S.O.B."". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ Humphrey, Jack (March 7, 2024). "Sam Barber Announces New Song "Streetlight"". Country Central. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "Top Country Albums: Week of October 7, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Sam Barber". Australian Charts. eMedia Jungen. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Irish Charts". IRMA. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2024.