Sarah Sample says ‘thank you’ and bids farewell to Utah State
After five years at Utah State University, folk music artist Sarah Sample will bid farewell to her fans at a concert Friday.
Sample’s concert, which will be held at the Ellen Eccles Conference Center on campus, will feature new songs that she wrote.
“It will be a show where people will leave feeling higher than when they came,” Sample said.
Sample will be accompanied by a four-piece back-up-band including drummer Cliff Smith, who plays for national touring artist Kate MacLeod.
“Sarah captivates and entertains at a level far beyond her years,” Smith said.
Her music genre can be described as Americana folk. However, Sample grew up listening to many different genres of music that she now incorporates in her songwriting.
“It’s my own little breed,” Sample said of her music style. “I use my own experiences and the things that are around me for inspiration for my songs.”
Sample started out at USU playing for roommates and small gigs. She then moved on to benefit shows for groups like Operation Smile and CAPSA. Associtated Students of USU began booking Sample to play concerts for Moonlight & Music, Poetry and a Beverage, and opening up shows for other groups. Now Sample is putting on concerts where she is headlining.
Sample will be graduating in May with a degree in music therapy. This fall she will be living in Austin, Texas, where she has an internship.
“I’ll come back,” Sample. “I will always love Logan with all my heart. This is where my music got started.”
Sample has accumulated a strong fan base at USU. She released her debut album in February 2004 and has already sold more than 1,000 copies. She also played for a full house last September at the Ellen Eccles Theater.
“I hope that each person can walk out of my concert with at least one song that they can call their own,” she said. “One that relates personally to them.”
Sample said she feels her songs and concerts are very personal. People can relate to the things that she is saying in her music. Also, she feels that her music is honest and true to things that really go on in people’s lives.
“I want to give a big ‘thank you’ to Utah State,” Sample said.
Sample is very grateful for the support that she has received, and encourages everyone to attend her last concert.
Tickets for the show are available at USU’s box office and are $5 or get tickets online at www.sarahsample.com, or call 800-259-4448.
-bsheperd@cc.usu.edu