Sam Hill

Unlike a whole lot of contemporary bluegrass groups, Sam Hill values music over virtuoso talent. The Portland, OR, music group avoids the capture of displaying velocity and technique and reaches the heart of the hill music, churning out an abundance of amazing, traditional-sounding originals each recording. The group includes songwriter/vocalist/mandolin participant Jeff Smith, guitarist/vocalist Doug Sammons, bass participant Dee Ann Davidshofer, fiddler/vocalist/songwriter Pat Kramer, and banjo participant Peter Schwimmer. The group started in the first ’90s. As their reputation grew, Sam Hill noticed several key members keep the fold, included in this Smith’s longtime musical ally Dave Chalupsky. Fortunately, the addition of Kramer — who arrived of retirement to become listed on Sam Hill — and Schwimmer spurred the group to brand-new levels. In 2000, the favorite neo-traditionalist vocalist Laurie Lewis documented “Hard Good luck & Difficulty,” the name an eye on Sam Hill’s second Compact disc (and a Smith structure). Sam Hill’s third Compact disc, Haunted With a Memory, premiered in 2001.