Sam Archer Biography Tobago WI 1975 - 1986 At age five he took piano lessons, at age eight he began playing for school assemblies and church functions. At that time he was involved in an orchestra called The Joyful Noise Orchestra where he contributed playing the Melodica for a couple years. At age nine he started writing songs and poems. By the time he was sixteen, along with two friends at school, Ian Chance and Allen Charles they discussed starting a gospel group. This group later became known as Hi-Lite. With a rich musical background, Sam attributes his skills and musical capabilities to God and his humble beginnings. Brooklyn NY 1988 - until Sam relocates to New York to pursue a musical career hoping that other members of the group will be able to make that move but he was disappointed. Around that time Visas for travelling to the US become extremely difficult to get. In order to buy some time he started a NY version of the group (Hi-Lite) to get things going. He teamed up with Terrence Russell who's also a native of Tobago and they ministered in song around the Tri-State area. The group over the next years developed, boasting four-part harmony and made an impact on the local gospel circuit with a cutting edge street sound. Releasing a single called "Do You Love Me," this song received heavy rotation on stations like WWRL 1600 AM and Kiss inspirations 98.7 Kiss FM. Hi-lite eventually shares stage with artist like Witness, Yolanda Adams, Commissioned, Hezekiah Walker & LFC choir, Monique Walker, Ron Winans and so many more. In 1996, the Hi-lite run came to an end and Sam was trying to find himself musically and this is when he decided to venture deeper into his musical roots. Around this time he explored and expanded his musical horizon. Being influenced by the Tobago rhythms and cultures primarily African, Sam decided to do a project which later became known as Soca Therapy. This album introduced Sam as an artist who sings where it surprised people who just knew him as a musician. This album prepared the way for him to perform on WNBC, which was running a telethon for Hurricane George Relief. Here Sam shared stage with Tito Puente, Junior Jazz, Voices of Theory etc. This was 1998. It was on this telethon where Sabra London, a promoter organizing a festival for West Africa saw Sam perform and she was moved to invite him to perform in Senegal. In 1999, Sam went to West Africa for a festival called Soca En Senegal, however he also took with him a pad and pen to write inspirations on the trip. This was the foundation for the sophomore album called The Return. Though both albums were inspirational and positive, Sam didn't consider them gospel albums so he didn't do heavy promotion in churches where he'll perform songs appropriate for praise and worship on occasion. On these albums Sam explored a wide range of topics, which included love, life and spirituality. On The Return specifically he strongly wrote material on social issues such as police brutality and a call for people of all races to see the beauty in each other. During all of this Sam has done memorable performances in SOB's, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Medgar Evers College and various functions pertaining to social issues by organizations such as The Amadu Diallo coalition, and The Haitian coalition for justice. He has also produced recordings for Artists such as Bi-Faith, Erica Collymore, Samuel Clarke, Earl Henry, Beverly George, Paul Ranger etc. and wrote "Baby Girl," which was recorded by B2K, an R&B group from the Epic/Sony label. Brooklyn 2002 Sam is releasing his third effort but his first gospel album entitled " de gospel according to Sam," This album has eleven songs glazed with Caribbean flare. On this album Sam does a rearrangement of "Praise to the Lord," which is a widely known hymn. Another track to consider is called "Bless Me," which John de Baptist would have definitely liked if he were here today. Other great songs are "Fly Away, Catch my Train, Did you take the time (to pray) and the title track which is the road march with the backgrounds chanting -de gospel coming down the road! With sounds of steel pan, iron knocking, heavy bass line. Sam says, "if you're conservative with gospel music, this is the album for your collection and if you're not conservative this is the right album for you." For more information call email samworks@hotmail.com or www.cdbaby.com/samarcher