Album Profile
Sam Wilson
Come Hear My Story
PRODUCTION NOTES
The album Come Hear My Story, released in 2002 on Lonesome Day Records (LDR 001), holds special significance as the inaugural release from the independent Kentucky-based label founded by Randall Deaton. This 11-track CD, running approximately 35-40 minutes, introduced singer-songwriter and bluegrass vocalist Sam Wilson—a Kentucky native with deep roots in traditional mountain music and prior recordings (including work with Ralph Stanley)—to a wider audience through heartfelt, authentic high-lonesome bluegrass.
Produced by Randall Deaton at Lonesome Day Studio in Booneville, Kentucky, the project delivers a warm, organic acoustic sound with clear separation, driving rhythms, and sincere vocal delivery—emphasizing traditional elements like high-lonesome harmonies, precise picking, and emotional storytelling without modern gloss. It established the label’s commitment to genuine regional bluegrass talent from the outset.
The album features Wilson’s originals and select traditionals, centering on themes of personal narratives, family, faith, hardship, and Appalachian heritage through ballads, gospel numbers, and uptempo drivers. Notably, the phrase “Come hear my story” appears as a line in the song “99 Years”, a poignant track exploring regret and redemption. The full tracklist includes: “Almost Persuaded”, “Lorina’s Gown of White”, “99 Years”, “Call of the Wild”, “Forty Years Ago”, “Old Love Back in Town”, “Snow Covered Mound”, “American Spirit”, “Workin’ in the Vineyards”, “Someday You’ll Call My Name”, and “Missin’ That Sweetheart of Mine”. The material blends classic bluegrass drive with Wilson’s expressive tenor and storytelling prowess, evoking influences from Ralph Stanley-era sounds and mountain gospel traditions.
Wilson leads on vocals and guitar, supported by a stellar ensemble: Shawn Brock on guitar and mandolin, Harold Nixon on bass, Michael Clevelandon fiddle, and Tom Adams on banjo. Adams’ appearance is particularly notable, as this marks his last recording before focal dystonia—a neurological condition affecting hand control—prevented him from playing banjo in the future. Longtime friends of Randall Deaton and Sam Wilson, Letch Belcheron banjo and Wendy Miller on mandolin, also make appearances, adding personal depth and collaborative warmth to the project.
As the label’s first project, Come Hear My Story quietly set the foundation for Lonesome Day’s reputation for authentic, heartfelt releases during the early-2000s bluegrass resurgence. It remains a foundational entry in the catalog, cherished by enthusiasts for its pure, unpretentious mountain music and as an early milestone in Deaton’s efforts to spotlight deserving artists.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. Almost Persuaded
2. Lorina's Gown of White
3. Ninety Nine Years
4. For Call of the Wild
5. Forty Years Ago
6. Old Love Back in Town
7. Snow Covered Mound
8. American Spirit
9. Working in the Vineyards
10. Someday You'll Call My Name
11. Missin' That Sweetheart of Mine
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