Sam Gleaves

Sam Gleaves is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter originally from Wytheville, Virginia. Sam began playing Appalachian music as a teenager with the help of mentors Jim Lloyd, a multi-instrumentalist, storyteller and local barber, and nationally recognized ballad singer Sheila Kay Adams. While earning a degree in Folklore at Berea College, Sam performed with the Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble directed by Al White. In 2015, Sam collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Cathy Fink and released a debut record of original songs, titled “Ain’t We Brothers,” which has been featured by The Guardian, National Public Radio, and No Depression. Appalachian novelist Lee Smith has heralded Sam as “the best young songwriter around.” Sam has toured throughout the U.S. and he has performed in Ireland, England, Canada, Japan and Italy. In 2017, Sam released a duo recording with Tyler Hughes, a fellow southwest Virginian steeped in the region’s musical traditions. In 2018, Sam collaborated with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer on a trio recording, “Shout & Shine,” which Justin Hiltner of the Bluegrass Situation called, “a perfect illustration of cross-generational mind melds and musical melds.”  Sam currently lives in Hindman, Kentucky where he serves as the Traditional Arts Director at the Hindman Settlement School.

“Ain’t We Brothers”

“My Singing Bird”

“Johnny”