Cave Catt Sammy

Beau "Sammy" Sample anchors Cave Cat Sammy on bass and uses the band to spotlight his rockabilly compositions and his rooted classic-rock technique. The quartet originated in 1997 when Sammy teamed with fellow students Steve Scott, Paul Ward, and Dustin "Ol Smoky" Hutchinson; their brash youthful energy and muscular execution prompted reviewers to liken them to earlier acts such as the Sparkletones. Strong audience response to the live shows earned the group a deal with Big Bellied Records that produced their first album in 1999 and immediately triggered the start of repeated, lengthy U.S. tours. Continued road work solidified their standing and led to the 2001 release Comin' On Strong, which balanced self-penned material with well-known covers.