Sam started his musical career in the sixth grade playing the clarinet. He made the move to the drums in the eighth grade and continued playing drums through high school in
Goldsboro, N. C. He joined the
Air Force where he played with several groups on the
Island of Crete, Greece. He moved to
Marietta, Georgia, and joined the 530th Air National Guard Band playing march, concert, jazz combo, rock band, big band and dixieland. He also played weekends with several pop, rock and big bands. He is currently a member of the
Alpharetta City Band. Sam continues to play because he believes that "you don't stop playing music when you get old, you get old when you stop playing music!"