Sam Bradley Online

Our Network Director, Janna, was able to attend Sam Bradley’s sold-out shows on May 25 and 26th at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles. Get ready to share her Sam Bradley Experience!

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It will always be…

Hotel Café – May 25, 2009

Sam Bradley could easily blend in as a California native; his easy grin and upbeat demeanor would be perfectly at place in L.A. But Sam is much more than smiles and laughter – this Memorial weekend, playing to sold out shows at Hotel Café Los Angeles, Sam moved the crowd with sweet serenades and passionate lyrics. And yes, perhaps a laugh or ten.

I was thrilled to be back in the sultry atmosphere of the Hotel Café – the light of day fades behind you and mood is set the moment you pass through the large wooden doors. I took in my surroundings, and it was quickly apparent how deep Sam’s fan base runs; I was a good hour early and the venue was already filled with loyal fans and murmurs of excitement.

As Sam took the stage, it seemed almost as if the audience shared his nerves; the room was wrought with anticipation as Sam expelled his nervousness with his signature shake of the hands and grabbed his guitar. But cheers went up upon hearing the familiar strands of “Derek,” and we all settled back and let Sam take us on a foot stomping, hand clapping journey.

Sam soon invited his mother, singer/songwriter Lee Lindsey, onstage for an acoustic duet of her song, “Forgive Me Father,” which was an epic performance. The passion in their faces as they each played and sang their hearts out together was amazing, and the quick looks between mother and son, onstage together in Los Angeles, was an endearing moment to witness.

Perhaps the most palpable moment of the night came at the end of Sam’s performance of his hit song, “Too Far Gone,” as the entire audience sang along with the lyrics, and he switched into an impromptu harmonization with the crowd’s chorus. It was a duet with Sam and his much loved audience, a Memorial day memory that will live in the hearts of his fans as they watch him conquer the land of dreams.

Following the show, the crowd quickly gathered outside the venue for pictures and autographs. Almost immediately, Sam was overtaken by paparazzi, a sure sign of things to come for this up and coming musician. Though still feeling a bit under the weather, he handled the press gracefully, and hammed it up for his excited fans. It was a lot of fun to watch the fans interact both with him and with each other, and to meet the familiar faces of his loyal following.

As the night came to a close, the excitement remained, as I still had the following night’s show to look forward to.

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Hotel Café – May 26, 2009

After a grueling day at the office and feeling the first signs of a wicked cold coming on, I was ready to get back into the Sam Bradley experience. Thankfully, traffic was in my favor and I soon found myself surrounded by a huge group of fans, waiting for Sam to take the stage.

The atmosphere of the second Hotel Café was more intense than the previous nights show – the crowd was huge, relaxed – maybe even a bit rowdy, everyone looking forward to the music ahead. There was a short period between the previous show and Sam’s, giving the fans the chance to mingle and get to know each other, each conversation hyping up the energy more and more. A cheer soon rippled through the venue as the infamous glass of whiskey was placed on stage, and Sam’s smiling face soon followed.

Sam must have been feeling the same good vibes as the crowd, and soon had the audience cheering and laughing. He played a mix of fan favorites, and included a new song, “Even Thought of Leaving,” leaving the audience wanting more. He continually kept the crowd in stitches, even breaking into his own hilarious rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White.” He is truly at home on the stage, and leaves you feeling giddy with a smile on your face.

He closed the show with a special duet with “mum” Lee Lindsey, and they once again blew the audience away with their collaborative talents. All too soon, the chords quieted and gave way to applause – the show had come to a close.

Sam made his way to the crowd of fans waiting to greet him outside. It is quite clear that he is truly humbled and appreciates each and every special message and story shared, and that his fans mean the world to him. Although a seemingly impossible task, he made it his mission to say hello to each and every person that shared the experience of his L.A. shows; as I said goodbye to the friends I had made and headed home, he was still giving out hugs and striking funny poses for fan photos.

The laughter and excitement of fans echoed behind me as Sam Bradley cemented his place in the hearts of his fans, and rocked the streets of L.A.

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