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Biography
There could easily be a biopic made about Sammy Kershaw’s life and career up until just before the release of his debut album. What’s more, it would still be one that could stand alongside Walk The Line and Ray in terms of dizzying personal successes and crushing failures even before showing Kershaw in the 1990’s, when he was one of the biggest Country stars in the U.S. After receiving his first guitar from his grandfather when he was eleven years old, Kershaw started dreaming of becoming a country singer like his third cousin, Doug Kershaw. Even his father passing away in the same year couldn’t stop Kershaw from chasing his dream, where he’d perform at local roadhouses after spending the whole day working to provide for his family.
It started to pay off as well, and after apprenticing under the Louisiana legend J.B. Pere, he started headlining at bigger and bigger local shows until he was supporting national stars like Merle Haggard and George Jones. However, he was still young, far too young to be that ensconced in the music industry, and he soon became mired in drug and alcohol addiction at around the same time that most kids his age would be learning to drive. He lost himself in a big way and spent the better part of a decade in a narcotic haze, until he finally saw a way out, and stepped away from music in 1988 to work in a Wal-Mart store. However, he didn’t stop writing and sending out demo tapes, and one of those tapes was picked up by Mercury Records, who signed him up for the release of his debut album “Don’t Go Near the Water” in 1991.
With nearly 20 years of music industry experience under his belt Kershaw knew exactly how to deal with the enormous success of his debut, which was certified Platinum soon after its release and carried four top 20 singles with it in the form of “Cadillac Style”, “Yard Sale”, its title track and “Anywhere But Here”. The rest of the 1990’s were extremely kind to Kershaw, with five of his six albums released that decade being certified Gold or Platinum, and ever since then, Kershaw has remained one of the most beloved names in country music. With a back catalogue rivalled by few other songwriters like him, and a live show fuelled with nearly forty years of experience, Sammy Kershaw comes highly recommended.
Live reviews
Louisiana singer/songwriter took to music relatively late in life considering the teen pop starlets of the modern day. In 1991 an endearing country vocalist appeared with a well written debut album 'Don't Go Near the Water' and since then has gone on to achieve great commercial success in the States.
With elevated record sales comes an elevated expectation to tour as your fanbase continues to grow and grow yet Sammy did not allow this weighty expectation to direct his career path. He decided to only tour a handful of dates and despite this perhaps being a poor move in the eyes of his label, there seems to be method in his madness. This is due to the fact that when he does step out onto stage everybody with a ticket has been anticipating the gig in a massive way. They sing along to the likes of 'She Don't Know She's Beautiful' and 'John Deere Green' with so much more volume and Kershaw and his band play with so much more energy. Sammy Kershaw is a true believer in quality over quantity.
sean-ward
Sammy Kershaw is a country and western artist from Louisiana in the deep south of the United States. He takes to the stage to this huge festival crowd this afternoon, who have been waiting for the last hour, intently ready to witness Kershaw and his fantastic storytelling at work. He launches straight into one of his biggest hits, “Third Rate Romance”, being supported by two of his band members on acoustic guitars adding three part harmonies where necessary. “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” and “Cadillac Style” are songs that light up this crowd, getting everyone into the dancing spirit. With the audience now in the palm of his hands, singing along to every word of every song, he tries out some brand new material, and it works a treat with this audience, who are simply in the mood to soak up the country atmosphere around them. He finishes with the power ballad, “Love of My Life”
Lannistaar
I saw Sammy many years ago. It was an outdoor arts and craft fair at the Steinhauser’s home in Covington LA. During his concert, a lady held up her baby son, he was less than a year, and when Sammy finished the song, he signed his guitar and gave it to the little boy. He may not remember but I’m sure his Mom has told him the story. Really sweet of Sammy. Hope to see him back here in Louisiana soon!!
anita-shahan-haik
This show was absolutely amazing! These guys are consummate showmen. Their voices are still outstanding and they have amazing personalities. I wish the show would have gone longer but you can’t have everything. They have so many hits that they had to pare down the number of songs. I hope to be able to see them again one day soon.
barashmd
Saw Sammy in Mobile AL, April 2017, fabulous show.. We Have followed Sammy since the beginning. AS GREAT AS he was in the beginning, and getting better with time, looking forward to his next Concert, Wind Creek Casino March 2019 and possibly at the IP in Biloxi Ms. in July 2019...Great Performer
rita-zehner
Awesome show. Of course our favorite part was when he sang "love of my life". We walked in at our wedding last year to that song. We are senior citizens who have known each other since 1980 and reconnected. Special night for us to hear him sing in person
joyce-fowler-phillip
