Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Derose Jr
Hi Sam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Throughout my career I’ve always been affiliated with the major record labels and their associated artist development endeavors including record promotions, artist development and sales.
I started playing piano at a very early age, it’s still kind of my go to instrument when I really need to figure something out. Especially when I’m writing new music. Everything makes sense on the piano.
I’ve been playing in bands and writing songs my entire life. Eventually you want to do something about all the songs you are accumulating. Those needs of course bring you into the music studios.
So you end up playing in bands, writing music, recording music and then performing the music. It’s so satisfying that the entire process for me just stayed on a constant lifestyle loop. All of that brought me to the business side of music. The business side of music is overwhelming, convoluted, dishonest and honest and at times the most wonderful experience of a lifetime. Most of my closest friends were met through the business side of music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has been so much more than bumpy. There were times that the road just stopped. There was no road left to ride on nor any new roads to travel. In these cases I would build my own roads through creative strength, purpose and an internal compass that has never let me down.
My biggest struggle along the way has been “Success”. With each accomplishment comes new landscapes, new players and new ways to do familiar things differently.
In these cases you have to rise to the occasion as an independent. Be aware of your surroundings and the steady flow of other people and their perspectives while staying true and confident in your own evolution.
I had to work harder, think faster and hold myself accountable for my own performance both on and off the stage. I had to be aware of what others were doing around me without being affected. I call this being self aware. I have always tried to be the best Sam DeRose Jr that I could be. I’ve always just wanted to be authentic.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an artist, songwriter, producer, engineer, bass player and musician. In all six categories I specialize in all things business and artistic. I’ve met some really incredible talented professionals and non-professionals and the best part about it is there is always a steady flow of talent coming in and going out.
At the moment I’ve just finished up my new music video supporting the single “Sarah” that will be going to radio and billboard in January through Sony Records. The video was a long journey that took over a year to complete.
I have an incredible hard working team that is extremely supportive and intuitive. I would like to acknowledge “Kenny” from MCM Global Team. https://www.mcmglobalteam.com Kenny through MCM Global Team manages world famous Van Morrison, Jerome Rimson and the European band Blof to name a few including myself. Kenny’s team is located in Dublin Ireland and their contacts easily span the globe. Kenny is the perfect balance of great ideas and the ability to take great ideas and execute.
While I was doing my Abbey Road recording sessions in London, England Kenny and I were discussing music video options over lunch in the Abbey Road Cantina. Kenny was telling me about the Sphere at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. He was saying “man we got to do some stages like they have at the Sphere with these great projections and circular stages”. I had no idea what he was talking about? Also, Kenny and his grandmother used to watch the old water musicals from the 1950’s together like Esther Williams in Million Dollar Mermaid with all the smoke, fire and water…and mermaids? Kenny had this great idea about flooding a stage and recovery. I loved all of his ideas as per the norm.
When I got back to the states I phoned up a good friend of mine Drew Raison who is the executive director of EMEAP – “Electronic Music Education And Preservation Project”. https://www.emeapp.org Drew’s father Charles Raison was very prominent within the exclusive theater world. A world that Drew easily knew his way around, especially its processes. Drew also knew all about Esther Williams and the “aqua musicals” as he called them. Drew quickly drew up a storyboard that consisted of crude illustrations and images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualization animation, motion graphic and interactive media. That was pretty much all that was needed. The “Sarah” music video was written and directed by Drew Raison.
Kenny with the help of his team found the “talent” for the Official “Sarah” Music Video.
“Kaia” who took on the role of “guitar player extraordinaire” is a high end model with Hannah Noelle Models, New York. https://www.hannahnoelle.com Kaia came to us through Donna Mathews with South West Florida Models https://www.swflmodels.com Kaia’s shoot was filmed at Michael Haley’s M&M Multimedia an Award-Winning Video Production Company in Fort Myers, Florida. https://www.mandmmultimedia.com
Madison Mills is a highly sought after model signed with Wilhelmina Models, Miami. https://www.wilhelmina.com Madison came to us through Alexis Perry with Modern Muse Models in Orlando Florida https://www.modern-muse.com Madison’s video shoot was filmed at Black Sparrow Recording Studios in North Port, Florida. https://www.blacksparrowstudios.com A big thank you goes out to owner EJ Mc Cloud for providing Madison’s drums, PA and lighting system for a very loud film shoot.
The piano footage was filmed at “The Fort Studios” Ft Myers, Florida. https://www.thefort.studio Julian Sundby owner was kind enough to provide us his full grand piano for a very long video pass and shoot.
All film was turned over to the people at GaGa Web Design for editing, special effects and assembly. https://www.gagawebdesign.com
Here is the link to the Official “Sarah” music video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob4AKbwQId4
Any big plans?
Well, I’m hopeful and looking forward to a successful run at Top40 radio with the new Single “Sarah” the first of the year in 2025. We will be doing some television performances on late night television as well as some live concerts with Jelly roll and Bad Flower in support of the single with a European festival tour summer of 2025.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.samderosejr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samderosejr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamDeRoseJr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samderosejr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@samderosejr
