Meet Sam Steadman: Making New Music During Covid-19

Musician Sam Steadman is finding his way in the Chattanooga music scene despite COVID-19

Even during tumultuous times like these, new creators will find ways to persevere and put great and new things into the world. Sam Steadman has been exemplifying this. The emerging musician has begun really making a name for himself in the Chattanooga community, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo by Brandon Hanks (@riseupphotographyofficial)

Sam was introduced to music at an early age. His father, Tim Steadman, was a member of the Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps in the late ’70s and ’80s. He grew up listening to both his dad and his brother Simon, a guitarist. While in school, he tried drums, piano, singing, and writing poetry. The only part that really stayed with him was the writing and singing of his music.

Photo by Tony Powell (@powellpercussion)

“I picked up on acoustic guitar about 2 years ago and still have a long way to go,” Sam said. “I do, however, know enough to be able to write what I feel I should, and it comes from my heart and soul.”

The music Sam writes and performs is heavily focused on its lyrics. Sam makes it a goal to use his music to tell a story and help those listening escape from the stresses of life.

“I’ve never been fond of generalizing myself to a certain gene,” Sam said. “I know that people will, but I also feel like when the media or anyone else does that, it makes the artist feel like they have to stay in certain criteria for how they write their music.”

In the end, he wants his music to stand out and for it always to be something that feels raw and relatable.

Since he began his career as a self-titled artist, Sam has already performed at Ziggy’s and Puckett’s as well as numerous local parties. He has been received overwhelmingly positive by the Chattanooga community, with shows being booked every weekend for him over the last few months.

Photo by Tori Fyfe (@Ipleadthefyfe)

With how new he is, Sam has been surprised by how well he has been doing in local events like the Journey to Valley Vibes events. This also has made him incredibly hopeful to see where his career goes once COVID-19 starts to have less of an effect on the local music scene.

When it comes to goals for his career, Sam has a different approach than most. He says that he doesn’t have 10 or 20 or 30-year plans. He has two goals that matter: his 1-year goal and his 40-year goal.

His short-term goal was to get out a new single, perform 10 new live shows in the area, and write or record another album. He has almost completed all of these.

Photo by Brandon Hanks (@riseupphotographyofficial)

“My long term goal, the one for the next 40 years, is for me to own the rights to the muppets. Or at least The Animal,” Sam said.