Adam Miller probably knows more about Sam than anyone around.


Sam's colleague Bess Lomax Hawes is gone now. Sam was generous beyond measure. A great human being!


He also had the intelligence to foster and appreciate traditional folk music wherever it existed. He was an important part of my life and development in music as was Bess.
Ed Pearl had memorable concerts with Sam and Bess at the Ash Grove, an important musical institution in Los Angeles for the preservation and presentation of American folk music.

Sam's encounter with Woody could have been changed if he had sat down to pick with Woody. Woody didn't like palaver but he loved music. That was the way to communicate with him. I had the honor of doing that as one of Woody's "pickin' buddies".

Woody was a man of few words, publicly.

Sam was on the cutting edge of who was doing what in folk music. He introduced me to
hearing Larry Hanks, who I admire, and many others who I didn't know about. His early radio appearances on Major Bowes Amateur Hour were priceless along with his sisters. Sam was a reservoir of knowledge about so many things that I was in awe. That coupled with the fact that he was a great humanitarian makes his life an enduring legacy for folk music.

I was so lucky to be around Sam and Bess.

Frank