I’m Sam (he/him). I first picked up the guitar in 8th grade. I was fortunate to attend the Fillmore Arts School one day a week as part of my public education in Washington, D.C. In 8th grade, I took a rock band class with Rachel Ann Cross. She asked me what instrument I played. I didn’t play an instrument, but I said guitar because Ben Tyree played guitar and was one year older than me (we have the same birthday), and he was cool. [Ben is an amazing guitarist — check him out! He is also probably still cool.]

That’s how this started — Thanks, Rachel and Ben! I fell in love with the guitar and have managed to stick with it over all of these years.

There have been many phases. When I was a young teenager and my parents left the house, I would fire up the stereo and play along to the entirety of Metallica’s Master of Puppets and then Slayer’s Reign in Blood.

I dabbled in ska (ugh). But I stand by my love for The Specials.

I played in the chamber punk 5-piece called And A Few To Break. The name comes from The Refused’s seminal album, The Shape of Punk to Come — the first line is “I’ve got a bone to pick with capitalism, and a few to break.” People would ask us our name and we’d say it and then they’d usually say, “what is it again?” Kids! Pick a better band name :)

Here’s an instrumental version of the last song we recorded (I love this song).

After And a Few to Break broke, I started playing more acoustic guitar. I fell in love with some old John Fahey records and entered into a deep exploration of the magic of acoustic instruments from there. I didn’t realize that it is the world that it is! From growing up on heavy metal records, I thought acoustic guitars were for intros or a change-of-pace interlude. I was wrong, thankfully.

I had a lot of fun playing in the t(h)rash metal duo called Shock Diamond with Bil Bowman (Hornss, Acid King). After we called it quits — against our will, I had to move away :( — acoustic guitar became my sole focus. I sold all my electric equipment, so it’s official.

Musical inspiration is easy to come by — there are so many unbelievably talented creators out there. Over the years, a few guitar players have captured my imagination and inspired me in a way that feels different. They are:

Ben Tyree
(Where it all began.)

Devin Ocampo
(Faraquet, Medications — maybe my favorite player of all time?!?!)

Mick Barr
(Krallice, Ocrilim, Octis… jesus so many projects Mick is prolific. Prolifmick.)

William Tyler
(Hey William, I wrote a song for you, it’s impressively titled To William.)

Nathan Salsburg
(I’ve learned a lot from learning your tunes.)

Will McNicol
(My current guitar teacher… astounding and amazing!)

Clive Carroll
(I mean… WOW. A stellar player, teacher, and person.)

I am extremely grateful to the following two musicians for their guidance and expertise. In addition to their superb musicianship, they are both excellent teachers!

Alison Harris

voice / songwriting

From Alison’s website: “Alison has shared the stage with Sam Bush, Albert Lee, The Iguanas, The Mother Hips, Langhorne Slim, Honey Honey, Chatham County Line, Nicki Bluhm, and The Gramblers, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, John Doe, Hot Buttered Rum, The Easy Leaves, and Poor Man's Whiskey. San Francisco Magazine commented, ‘Alison Harris sounds like a country songbird perched on Bonnie Raitt's shoulder. She sings about loneliness and longing with a grace and beauty that almost makes those things desirable.’”