Sam Outlaw to Release New Album “Tenderheart”
Sam Outlaw’s debut album Angeleno had many fans of traditional country and Americana singing the Los Angeles native’s praises, and now he’s set to follow up that critically-acclaimed effort with his newest record Tenderheart scheduled for release on April 14th via Six Shooter Records.
The 13 original tracks of Tenderheart were recorded in the San Fernando Valley and were co-produced by Outlaw and Martin Pradler. Many of the same musicians that participated in Angeleno in 2015 also appear on Tenderheart, including harmony singer Molly Jenson, pedal steel player Jeremy Long, guitarist Danny Garcia, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket. Tenderheart also features California mariachi group Erwin Vasquez and Mariachi Teocuitatlan.
Tenderheart is said to pick up where Angeleno left off—asserting Sam’s “SoCal country” style that mixes in the twang from nearby Bakersfield, subtle Western-swing influences, along with the singer-songwriter legacy of the desert city, inspired by the style and vastness of Los Angeles. The album comes as Sam has experienced major changes in his life, including the birth of his first child.
Sam Outlaw was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, but grew up and resides in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old’s real name is Sam Morgan, but his mother’s maiden name is Outlaw, and he adopted the last name after quitting his job at an advertising agency and pursuing a country music career.
Tenderheart Track List:
1. Everyone’s Looking For Home
2. Bottomless Mimosas
3. Bougainvillea, I Think
4. Tenderheart
5. Trouble
6. She’s Playing Hard To Get (Rid Of)
7. Two Broken Hearts
8. Diamond Ring
9. Say It To Me
10. All My Life
11. Dry In The Sun
12. Now She Tells Me
13. Look At You Now
January 31, 2017 @ 7:59 pm
With Outlaw, Jason Eady, Rodney Crowell, Nikki Lane and Marty Stuart among the list of artist cranking out albums into April, this is shaping up to be one hell of a start to 2017.
February 1, 2017 @ 6:37 am
Whitey Morgan, too
January 31, 2017 @ 8:01 pm
Pretty excited for this one. I met Sam after he opened for Aaron Watson a few years ago, super cool guy.
January 31, 2017 @ 10:04 pm
This is great news! Angeleno was one of my top ten favorite albums of 2015, so I have high expectations. I’m glad he will continue to have some Latin influence. I loved the tracks with horns on Angeleno. Can’t wait to hear it.
February 1, 2017 @ 12:47 am
This is awesome! I can’t wait. I saw him this summer in an acoustic setting (together with Corb Lund and Ian Tyson) and he was excellent, as was Molly Jenson – their harmonizing sounds so good.
February 1, 2017 @ 5:54 am
Outlaw…..that’s Irish, right? ?
February 1, 2017 @ 10:22 am
First heard of him via the Ghost Town video on CMT Edge of all places and went right out (to my desk) and bought the album and EP. Looking forward to this a lot. “She’s Playing Hard To Get (Rid Of)” is a great song title too.
February 1, 2017 @ 11:19 am
I hadn’t heard of him until I saw this article. I was so excited to discover a new country artist but was sad when I heard his songs. His last name suggests it might have been outlaw country but it wasn’t. Anyway it’s just more soft folk music being called country. Super disappointed but I might just listen to way too much Paycheck and Waylon Jennings.
February 1, 2017 @ 12:47 pm
Article literally says “California Country” dude. Besides, the “outlaw, outlaw, outlaw” shit is getting played out to death at this point. I’m totally down with some mellow twang these days. Had Angeleno since it dropped, great album.
February 1, 2017 @ 5:20 pm
Jimmie, you need greater exposure to the full breadth and depth of country music. Sam Outlaw is the real deal, but he’s not some sort of faux-badass, which often passes for “outlaw” nowadays. And, besides, as Trigger notes, Outlaw is his mother’s maiden name, which also happens to be the maiden name of my great-great grandfather’s wife.
February 1, 2017 @ 12:41 pm
Really looking forward to this one. I’ve gotten a lot of play time out of Angeleno. I’m surprised at the lack of buzz he’s managed to stir up so far though. Might be that he doesn’t have the same rough edges as a Stapleton or Cody Jinks. It’s definitely some pretty inoffensive music and the softness seems to turn some people off.
February 1, 2017 @ 1:08 pm
He’s fantastic live, too. Also, “She’s Playing Hard to Get (Rid of)” is probably the greatest song title ever.
February 1, 2017 @ 2:26 pm
His first record was also one of my faves a year or so back and stands up to repeated listens . No its not heady or profound or ground-breaking stuff …its just way more melodic , clever , and well-produced than most of what we hear on or off a ” country’ chart …at least in my opinion . I’m looking forward to this new one for the same reasons .
February 1, 2017 @ 5:24 pm
Among all of my favorite “discoveries” of the past two or three years, Sam Outlaw is one of my favorites…perhaps even my favorite. He is refreshingly non-pretentious and genuine. He tries hard without trying too hard. He’s fantastic, and I am hoping for the best from this new album.
February 2, 2017 @ 3:53 pm
This is great country music. The best stuff I’ve heard in a while. I would take this any day over your darlings Isbell, Stapleton, and Simpson. I really like his songwriting, voice, style, and production. Yes! More please! I’d never heard of him until this article.
February 2, 2017 @ 4:30 pm
Saw him open for Justin Townes Earle a couple years ago, one of my best opening act discoveries to date.
February 3, 2017 @ 7:16 pm
Like a lot of people, I first saw him as an opener. Opened for the Cactus Blossoms in St. Paul a few years ago. I was immediately a fan. I’ve seen him every time he’s been through town since. I totally agree, Angeleno absolutely stands up to repeated listens and is still one of my favorite albums. I get that he’s not for everyone, especially those looking for a manufactured “outlaw” edge. It’s also not an album for every occasion. Not necessarily the best choice for a raging 4th of July bbq party. A quiet night around a fire with a mug of shine and your dog, perfect. Personally, I can’t wait to hear the new album.