about sam:

"If you gave Bruce Cockburn a nice warm meal and a comfy bed to sleep in for a few weeks, he might start sounding like Sam Baardman" quips the Winnipeg Sun. 'Lush', 'cool', 'pure' and 'strong' are some of the adjectives that come to mind when you listen to this Winnipeg Singer-Songwriter.

Dirty Linen compares him favourably to Ellis Paul and Pierce Pettis, while the Winnipeg Free Press calls him "one of the city's strongest and most literate songwriters."

His first album, Kicking the Stone Home, has received critical acclaim for songs that are original and unique, yet somehow familiar, making a beeline for your heart. (To hear a sample click here.) Sam just recently released his second album, The Rookery, and it's as much a treasure as the first (To hear a sample click here).

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recent shows:

The World Next Door Festival
Winnipeg Folk Festival
Regina Folk Festival
Brandon Folk Music & Art Festival
Morden Back Forty Folk Festival
West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg
The Other Side, Regina
The Economy Shoe Shop, Halifax

Plus coffee houses, club gigs, songwriting clinics, and instructional workshops.

As an opening act and at festival worhops, Sam has shared the stage with:
Garnet Rogers, Bill Bourne, Laura Smith, Don Ross, Nancy White, Stephen Fearing, Fred Eaglesmith, Valdy, Heather Bishop and many others.

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what people are saying about sam:

A virtually unheralded Winnipeg troubadour, Baardman has emerged as one of the city's strongest and most literate songwriters. . . . Baardman's world is all about contrasts and realizations. The singer-songwriter speaks to the human condition, to the age old quest for happiness and fulfillment in a world so confusing that one can rarely know one's own mind. This album deserves a listen.
- John Lyons, Music Critic, Winnipeg Free Press

If you gave Bruce Cockburn a nice warm meal and a comfy bed to sleep in for a few weeks, he might start sounding like Sam Baardman. The Winnipeg singer/guitarist has created a lush contemporary folk recording . . . exquisite instrumentalism . . . (four stars)!
- Bartley Kives, Music Critic, Winnipeg Sun

First words from a strong acoustic singer/songwriter who debuts with a much better-than-usual indie CD.
- The Record, Canada's Weekly Music Business Newspaper

Baardman is writing about the human experience, its home. His songs have a remarkable clarity to them, like the true, simple ring of a tuning fork.
- Mitch Podoluk, Artistic Director,
The World Next Door Festival, Founder of the Winnipeg Folk Festival

This album is so good I had to call Sam at home to tell him. I'm giving it a lot of airplay on the drive home show.
- Barry Mercer, CBC Radio Host, Points North, Sudbury, Ontario

Sam Baardman is a powerful new voice in Canadian music. . . intensely poetic . . . dramatic and original. I highly recommend you listen to this rising star!
- Tom Jeffers, Prairie Ceilidh Radio Host, Winnipeg's Folk and Celtic music program

Baardman has developed an evocative, lyrical writing style . . . with shimmering guitar that provides a fine counterpoint to his melodies . . . . This is a rich and well-crafted disk that you'll want to listen to again and again.
- Dale Jack, Music Critic, Open City Magazine

Sam Baardman is a gifted and articulate musician and lyricist whose songs speak directly to the heart. His music is fresh, engaging and real - a reflection on the man himself. Sam and his band were huge favourites on the mainstage of last year's Brandon Folk Festival.
- Donna Lowe, Artistic Director, Brandon Folk Music & Art Festival

He has the uncanny ability to cut right to the heart of matters, stating "universal truths" in language and using images that you just don't expect until they hit you right in the gut. The lyrics alone would be impressive. Add Sam's uniquely honest singing style, well-worked and often unexpected melodies and that makes for a very special package. His new CD is well worth picking up!
- Jodi Krangle @ The Muse's Muse Songwriting Resource

"You keep writing songs like that and you'll do just fine in this business."
- Fred Turner, Bachman Turner Overdrive

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contact information:

390 Scotia Street
Winnipeg, MB R2V 1W9
phone: (204) 334-6403
e-mail: baardman@mb.sympatico.ca