News — Remembering the Mighty Sam McClain

"I had the great pleasure of sitting by Sam (and Irma Thomas) the year he won his Blues Music Award, I believe 2012, and he was such a powerful force to be around: humble and quiet with a big smile, then he stands in front of 5,000 people preaching the blues about 'Too much Jesus and not enough Whiskey' like a reverend on Sunday. I’ll never forget it."In peace and blues,Matt MarshallPublisher, American Blues Scene Magazine Have a story, photo or memory of Mighty Sam to share? Send an email to eric(at)valley-entertainment.com.

"To have had the immense honor of Sam lending his voice to my song 'Let's Go to Memphis' is incalculable to me. It's is such a profound gift. When I wrote it, Sam's voice was the only one I could hear singing it.  I only wish I would have had more time to pay him back for bringing the sound to life." - Ted DrozdowskiTed leads American roots band Scissormen and is senior editor at Premier Guitar.Follow on Facebook, Twitter and their official website. Hear Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen featuring Mighty Sam on 'Let's Go to Memphis' on the Remembering the...

"He is always in my heart and mind.  It is so amazing that in Iran people still are so thankful for his songs and listen and listen and send me wonderful message about the cooperation we had.The first song I heard from Sam was “Why Do We Have to Say Goodbye“ and his voice captivated my heart.  I could feel the glow in his voice.  My favorite song that we cooperated on is “A Deeper Tone of Longing".   Whenever I miss him too much, I play this song.  Of course I have more like “Meditating Over a Photo” – but...

"I have come to know many musicians over the last 30 years. Some have been happy about their lives, if not their careers. Some vice-versa. Others have been bitter about both. Mighty Sam was grateful for both. He had found much joy in his music and his life. Even his early hand-to-mouth days, when he slept rough on the banks of the Mississippi River, taught him how to appreciate the good things that eventually came his way. As he sang in one of his songs, “I’m living in my dreams, as thankful as a man can be.” And that was...

"I've spent much of my life deeply studying the work of American roots artists, and I know Sam's voice was a national treasure—an instrument on par with those of Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke or his hero, Bobby Bland. He was grossly unappreciated during this lifetime, and yet his voice and songs will continue to be a beacon for everyone lucky enough to discover them. And unlike most roots artists, Sam continued to grow throughout his entire career—exploring new themes, pushing ahead into genres he'd not explored, and bringing his mastery to all of it right to the end of life....