Gordie Sampson is a musical whirlwind, perpetually creating – a brilliant writer, an innovative producer, and a dynamic performer.
Gordie's musical genius is applauded by audiences and industry players alike. From his national debut in the early 90's to his presence today on the Nashville writing scene where international recording stars are discovering and recording his material including Faith Hill “Paris” , George Canyon “ My Name”, Keith Urban covering “The Hard Way” and “ You (or Somebody Like You) and the #1 Billboard single recorded by Carrie Underwood “Jesus Take The Wheel”. Gordie has received numerous national and international awards including the prestigious 2007 Grammy Award for "Best Country Song of the Year" and a Juno Award for "Songwriter of the Year" for his co-write, Jesus Take The Wheel. Gordie has recently completed recording his much anticipated third solo project, "for the few and the far between" scheduled for release in August 2008.
Gordie's second solo recording; titled Sunburn is an intelligent, original and compelling hook laden cd. From the weary truth of the title track Sunburn to the aching melancholy of Paris, it has been worth the wait for avid fans of this musical phenomenon. Sunburn, has garnered him a Juno nomination for Songwriter of the Year and numerous East Coast Music Awards.
Sampson’s certainly no stranger to the music scene. As a co-writer, guitarist and singer, Sampson played a key role in the Canadian Top 20 success of pop/rock band Realworld in the early 1990s. Gordie then shifted his attention to the more traditional music of his native Cape Breton Island and soon found himself working with the top traditional acts of the day. He continued to expand his horizons by working as musical director for stage and television productions and honing his skills in the studio.
When “Stones” was released to rave reviews, Gordie earned a Juno nomination and half a dozen East Coast Music and Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia Awards. The second single, Sorry, would draw particular attention to Gordie as a songwriter, while touring with The Rankins introduced him to new audiences as a performer, and producing Natalie MacMaster’s 1999 album “In My Hands,” earned Gordie a new level of respect and a pair of national music awards.
CREDITS
Songwriter Hits/Significant Covers . . .
Everybody Wants To Be Loved – Martina McBride (RCA Nashville)
You're Not Leavin Me – Martina McBride (RCA Nashville)
Might As Well Be Making Love – Jessica Simpson (Columbia Nashville)
When I Said I Would - Whitney Duncan (Warner)
Walk On The Moon – Great Big Sea (Warner)
Just A Dream – Carrie Underwood (Arista)
Get Out Of This Town – Carrie Underwood (Arista)
Any Other Day – Bon Jovi (Island/ Mercury)
When God Made a Woman – Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville)
Measure of a Man – Jack Ingram (Universal)
If I Had Your Name – Martina McBride (RCA Nashville)
Jesus Take the Wheel – Carrie Underwood (Arista)
Long Night - LeeAnn Rimes (Curb Records)
Save Myself - LeeAnn Rimes (Curb Records)
Crybaby – Carolyn Dawn Johnson (Universal Canada)
Words Get In the Way – Trace Adkins (Capitol Nashville)
My Name – George Canyon (Universal South)
The Hard Way – Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville)
You (or Somebody Like You) – Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville)
Paris – Faith Hill (Warner Nashville)
One Last Goodbye – Richie Sambora
Seein’ Things – Aaron Lines (RCA Nashville)
Lucky Me – Great Big Sea (Warner Canada)
Let It Go – Great Big Sea (Warner Canada)
Fear of Flying – Shelly Fairchild (Sony Nashville)
King For A Day – Crush (Warner Canada)
How the West Was Won – Shaye (EMI Music Canada)
Followed Her Around - Jimmy Rankin (EMI Music Canada)
Maybe You’re Right - The Rankins (EMI Music Canada)
Get Me Through December - Natalie MacMaster (Warner Canada)
Another California Song – Damhnait Doyle (EMI Music Canada)
Hurricane Jane – Colin Raye (Infinity)
Let’s Take the Long Way Home – John Landry (Universal Canada)
Maybe You’re Right – The Rankins (EMI Music Canada)
Sleepy Maggie, MacDougall's Pride - Ashley MacIsaac (Universal Canada)
We All Need, Angels, Throwin' It All Away – Realworld
Film/TV Placements: Under The Sea – Finding Nemo Soundtrack
One Last Goodbye – Richie Sambora, The Banger Sisters
Fly on the Wall, The Shield
Producer…
The Cottars, Forerunner
damhnait doyle, davnet
Natalie MacMaster, In My Hands
Cuillin, Cool-in
Bruce Guthro & Raylene Rankin, Four Strong Winds
Buddy MacMaster
Bruce Guthro, The First Noel
Musical Director…………..……Celtic Electric (TV)
Musical Director The Rankins Christmas Special (TV) Musical Director….….Cape Breton Summertime Revue
Guest Artist/Instrumentalist . . .
The Rankins, Ashley MacIsaac,
Bruce Guthro, Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster,
Barra MacNeils, John Allan Cameron
AWARDS
2007 Grammy Award Best Country Song of the Year
“Jesus Take The Wheel”
2007 Grammy Award nomination Song of the Year “Jesus Take The Wheel”
(Carrie Underwood)
2007 ASCAP Award Christian Award – Top 25 Song
“Jesus Take The Wheel”
2007 Juno Award Songwriter of the Year “Jesus Take The Wheel”
2006 ASCAP Award Song of the Year “Jesus Take The Wheel”
2006 Nashville Songwriters Association International Award Song of the Year “ Jesus Take The Wheel”
Nashville Songwriters Association International Award Songwriter Achievement Award
“ Jesus Take The Wheel”
Academy of Country
Music Award Single of the Year “Jesus Take The Wheel”
(Carrie Underwood)
ACM Nomination Song of the Year “Jesus Take The Wheel”
(Carrie Underwood)
CMA Nomination Song of the Year “ Jesus Take The Wheel”
(Carrie Underwood)
Canadian Country Music Award Songwriter of the Year “ Jesus Take The Wheel”
(Carrie Underwood)
CCMA Nomination Songwriter of the Year “Crybaby” (Carolyn Dawn
Johnson)
2005 Great American Song Contest Award Winner – Pop/ Adult Contemporary “Paris”
Winner – Pop/ Adult Contemporary “Sunburn”
2005 CCMA Award Single of the Year “My Name” (George Canyon)
CCMA Award Songwriter of the Year “My Name” (George Canyon)
ECMA Award
Album of the Year
Sunburn
ECMA Award Songwriter of the Year
Sunburn
2005 ECMA Award Single of the Year
Sunburn
ECMA Award Male Artist of the Year
Sunburn
ECMA Award Pop Recording of the Year
Sunburn
International Songwriting Competition Winner - Performance Category - Canada (Paris)
2004 MIANS Award Album of the Year
Sunburn
2004 MIANS Award Male Artist of the Year
MIANS Award Songwriter of the Year
Sunburn
MIANS Award Pop/Rock Album
Sunburn
ECMA Award Songwriter of the Year
(King for a Day, CRUSH)
2003 MIANS Award Producer of the Year
2002 SOCAN Award Most Country Airplay
(Followed Her Around /Jimmy Rankin)
CO-WRITER
2002 ECMA Award SOCAN Songwriter of the Year
(Followed Her Around/Jimmy Rankin)
CO-WRITER
2001 ECMA Award SOCAN Songwriter of the Year
(Get Me Through December/MacMaster & Krauss)
CO-WRITER/PRODUCER
2000 ECMA Awards Single of the Year (Sorry)
Video of the Year (Sorry)
Songwriter of the Year (Sorry)
MIANS Awards Male Artist of the Year (Stones)
Songwriter of the Year (Stones)
Song Expo (Benelux International Song & Cultural Festival Best Entry – Canada (Sorry)
Canadian Radio Music Awards Nomination Pop Adult Best Solo Artist (Sorry)
2000 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Pop Category Finalist (Sorry)
CCMA Award Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration
(Get Me Through December/MacMaster & Kruass) CO-WRITER/PRODUCER
JUNO Award Best Instrumental Alum (In My Hands/Natalie MacMaster) CO-WRITER/PRODUCER
1999 ECMA Award New Artist of the Year (Stones)
MIANS Award Producer of the Year (In My Hands/Natalie MacMaster)
JUNO Nomination Roots/Traditional Solo Recording (Stones)
QUOTES
SUNBURN
“Sunburn is packed with sonic sophistication and high art metaphors.
The Coast
“. . . one of my favourite Canadian singer-songers. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia’s Gordie Sampson has 2 solo cds that should be added to any music lovers library. . .. “
George Canyon
" heralded by a number of people in the industry and in the music press as this region's next major star. The long- awaited second album called Sunburn, from start to finish is a remarkable piece of work, a skillfully crafted collection of material ripe with potential singles."
The Guardian
"Sunburn" has an infectious rhythm and killer changes ...
Vancouver Province
"gordie sampson...already a classic ...just waiting to age....the secret is out "
98.9 XFM
"This guy could be the next breakout talent from the Maritimes." Toronto Sun
“Sunburn is living proof the singer-songwriter craft is still going strong.
Edmonton Sun
“. . . Paris. She (Faith Hill) says it's one of her favorite songs she's ever heard.”
CMT interview - Faith Hill
STONES
“The cleverly paced 14-track disc includes broadly accessible pop tunes, upbeat rockers, guitar instrumentals and inventive pieces like The Blood Is Strong.”
The Record
“Studded with radio friendly tunes…extraordinary musicianship…an invigorating and intense album…uses a mix of acoustic and electric instruments to build a rich, pop sound…vocals that betray an irresistible enthusiasm…”
The Daily News
“Sampson’s short set before the Rankins took the stage spotlighted a new voice that’s ready to break wide open, a Canadian who sings with the emotion of Van Morrison.”
The Ottawa Sun
“Sampson’s fresh, raw talent was charming as he performed four songs from his upcoming album. This talented guitarist, who reminds one of Bruce Cockburn, may not have a familiar face, but his songwriting credits are recognizable…”
The Calgary Sun
“Sampson delivered a powerful performance with strong material and an expert band.”
The Chronicle Herald
“Gordie’s mainstage showcase performance blew everyone away and earned him the media award for Best Showcase Artist.”
What’s Goin On
“Sampson is a soulful singer with major star charisma.”
The Daily News
“…played a cool selection of urban folk tunes…he did exactly what opening acts are meant to do: open up the ears of the crowd…his energy was felt as he later joined the Rankins…”
The Edmonton Sun
“The charismatic Gordie Sampson, as music director, has put his stamp on the revue. The sound is a propulsive contemporary Celtic pop, a jamming together of traditional and rock-pop that is exhilarating. Sampson’s final arrangement of Purple Heather is passionate.”
The Mail Star
“A memorable and delicate guitar solo from Sampson who also pulled out a hot electric lead solo.”
The Edmonton Journal
“Opener Gordie Sampson proved he knows his way around an acoustic guitar, too…a lesson in great fretwork.”
Calgary Herald
“Cape Breton native Gordie Sampson rocked the crowd with a selection of original material. Opening with his next single ‘Sorry’ he owned the audience right up to his finale with ‘Still Workin’ on a Dream’ and was sent off with a standing ovation.”
ECMA ’99 Music Notes
“Producer Gordie Sampson’s arrangements are fresh, and the few trips into the slightly experimental are thrilling.” (In My Hands – Natalie MacMaster)
Boston Herald
“The second star of the game is producer, songwriter, guitarist Gordie Sampson.” (In My Hands – Natalie MacMaster)
Telegraph Journal
www.gordiesampson.com
Jones & Co., Sheri Jones Tel: •902.429.9005/ Fax: 902.457.1187
Email: sheri@jonesandcompany.ca, www.jonesandcoartistmanagement.com
