Sam Shackleton, "Lone Prairie," // GemsOnVHS™

A dream come true for a certain Scotsman from Edinburgh. Years after I crossed the Atlantic and met the banjo-busking, ballad-belting, Guinness enjoying Sam Shackleton, he did the reverse journey and came to visit his long lost kinsmen in Kentucky. Very appropriate, as many people of Scots-Irish decent, very likely including Mr. Benjamin Tod's ancestors, made that journey themselves, in search of a better life. So I thought, what a great pairing to make, let's see how the folk songs in Scotland, those which Mr. Shackleton is quite versed in, compare to the ones in the American South, the likes of which Benjamin Tod knows. It just so happened to line up when Jason Dae West was in town ( • Benjamin Tod and Jason... ) as well, and the three of them played by campfire all night long, pickin strangely familiar yet alien songs, old folk tunes twisted by time and space but all from a similar origin. It was funny watching these so very different people connect over a shared love of folk music, and maybe realizing they're not so different after all, none of us are.
Anyhow, Sam enjoyed these great American states. This was right after an eventful Americanafest in Nashville, where he got to play to a packed crowd and meet many other Gems and stars. I hope it lived up to his expectations, and though i'll never be able to repay his kindness for letting me explore Scotland with him from his flat in Edinburgh, hopefully days shooting guns, grilling corn and playing Chivalry 2 on my couch in Smithville was fun for him.
You can find Sam's tunes on all platforms at www.samshackleton.com/music. You can find him on Instagram at @sorleythebard.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, Mr. Free, Rusty Shackleford, and Joshua Taylor.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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www.gemsonvhs.com

[@GemsOnVHS]

Do ya like the video you just saw? Make sure to subscribe and click the bell to get updates every time we post. Love ya! You can find Sam's tunes on all platforms at www.samshackleton.com/music. You can find him on Instagram at @sorleythebard.

[@sorleythebard]

I had such a great time making this video with you both. Many thanks to Anthony for creating yet another amazing video and for all his hospitality showing me around the length and breadth of Tennessee and Kentucky, all your hard work putting out these videos is greatly appreciated. Massive thanks also to the legend Benjamin Tod for his hospitality and for letting me use his banjo to film this. I had a great time at Ben's, meeting Jason O'Dea, grilling up some steak and venison, shooting these class weapons, playing some tunes and smoking cigarettes by the fire, and listening to the coyotes howl into the night (the first time I'd ever heard coyotes). It was an amazing experience and one I certainly will not soon forget. What an incredibly beautiful country and I hope to return soon - thanks again!! 🇺🇸

[@vedawilliams7126]

It sounds fabulous. So wistful.

[@fetidcreeper]

I hope we treated you well, scottsman.

[@SabrinaAngel]

❤

[@jackrusselmanny]

First off, Sam is hereby declared a deputized American. Done. Forever. I have been a big fan since I heard Cu-koo bird, on GEMS. Also MAJOR respect for "our" very own modern day, Alan Lomax. Anthony- PLEASE NEVER STOP. Lomaxs' rural recordings are the bones of those old timers that we get to cherish and learn from. Someday a kid being born now, will dust off a drive full of GEMS and go "...holy.s*!!!" Like I did when I just couldn't get enough true old time to satisfy my soul. Thanks again. This tune though... My close friend lost his 3 yo boy William J Fournier to cancer. Last week. He layed out a family plot on his property. Friday night we dug. Sat morn we cried. On this past Thursday, I heard this song. It is as much a song about a lone cowboys fate back then, as it is about any young, brave fighter that we loose these days, who need not be forgotten. All of it smashes my heart. I hope everyone who hears this version of this song can appreciate what it really is. thank you Sam. Keep up the amazing work u are doing. This song is #BILLYSTRONG!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@electricfox9276]

The fact Sam said the Henry reminds him of a rifle from RDR2 is awesome and I don't doubt he probably heard this song from the end of RDR1.

[@GemsOnVHS]

Lol he's just one of the boys! Hop on the discord Sam, let's run some heists!

[@nodolle]

I literally could die happy the fact he mentioned red dead 😭😭 I would love to play with him my god

[@koyo3376]

Shooting guns with Benjamin Tod? Peak.

[@GemsOnVHS]

Some men would give their right testicle. Some both.

[@johnfranks5030]

@@GemsOnVHSboth and a kidney

[@rizzo_is_so_bro]

❤

[@koyo3376]

@@GemsOnVHS Real

[@jmtdvs87]

gladly

[@JustARandomGuy808]

Always great to hear Sam whether here or on his channel

[@GemsOnVHS]

Agreed!

[@Zac_bynxbets]

It's so awesome that Ben is still making time for you guys and bringing other artists up with him. The things your channel did for his career and his art did for your channel are really incredible and it's so awesome to see you guys lifting each other up.

[@karithwhirty4281]

Well, damn... A Scotsman singing "A Cowboy's Lament"... which is just an adaptation of an old sailor's burial song? Be still my heart.

[@nennehi9808]

Just made my day

[@waylonk2453]

The long notes of the song really convey the sadness of the song. What a beautiful image.

[@nickydiamonds288]

One of the nicest guys I’ve ever spent any time with. Memberin my driving him home sometime during Americana Fest drinks coors shooting the infinite breeze. What a talent he is

[@lordmonokelhans2912]

The best crossover in history

[@karithwhirty4281]

Yup.

[@MrHiPpO1312]

This channel and these songs heal me

[@sir_bartholomew2553]

No fucking way! Found this tune last week and fell in love with it, great to hear it live like this! You guys rock!

[@rxgueplanet]

Proud to be Canadian and love my Americans 🇨🇦🇺🇲

[@nodolle]

I must be dreaming. 2 of my favorite artists. Shooting guns in the country. Sam being amazing sam playing his amazing banjo. My god. Thank you for filming this

[@MegisTryingHerBestOK]

This was such a beautiful cover, I hope I'll get to a place where my playing sounds this natural and effortless! 😅

[@goveg8535]

Great cover of Cisco Houston's The Dying Cowboy ❤️ Jealous he got to hangout with Benjamin Tod. He's a phenomenal artist.

[@MIFolkSessions]

Legitimately my favorite folk song currently, I absolutely love it. Thanks so much for putting it out there!!

[@danielwild.]

Thanks for the tune, lads 🎶

[@Karste1n]

Such an amazing take on this song, glad to see it on here. Keep it up Sam!

[@Okgeneric]

good n pure

[@terryhinkemeyer3857]

A stunning performance

[@binky777]

This is good

[@rizzo_is_so_bro]

At Benjamin Tods house to boot! This is great!

[@jamesh1758]

The Scottish accent really makes his performance beautiful. Not to discredit his talent when it comes to singing and vocal control but the odd crossover of American country in a Scottish accent seems to mesh perfectly. Probably fairly historically accurate as well with amount of immigration from the British isles back then. I have to say this really makes me home sick. I found this during a vacation/holiday abroad in Turkey. The music here is beautiful in its own right but this made me long to look out over to the lush green country park where I live at sunrise and feel the cool air of home blowing past. They keep highland cattle there too, God how I miss them.

[@georgeriggs9366]

Been watching and listening to him for a while love the banjo and the voice hard to hate on it

[@jakelanningiscool]

I love it when my favorite artists get together 🖤⚒️

[@owenwhitton5957]

Sams got such an enchanting sound

[@doodle2174]

any day that a new Sam video comes out is a good day.

[@sethmountain]

Fantastic! Loved this, thanks all of you.

[@Heffy90]

Banger

[@Maxfieldonthemove]

Here before he blows up

[@whoareyouj]

I can not believe he visited the states and I did not get to see him perform. That is if he did do so. Please come again would love to watch a show/performance of his. Thanks for sharing

[@muttandjeff5213]

Awesome Sam! Glad you got to be in America!

[@CalebStew]

What a crossover

[@primocabron2465]

Fling a handful of roses. I like how he hits the word roses.

[@samsham8218]

Love this song..

[@Skandinavisk]

What a fantastic rendition.

[@hhottsfishing]

Incredible. 4 stars from Eastern Ky❤

[@ruadhbran]

I hope this means there's a video out there of Sam and Benjamin doing some sort of collaboration!

[@LewisBurnerPugh]

Belting ❤

[@ubepewp]

This was an amazing rendition! Watch the fucking gunshots if you’re wearing ear buds haha

[@wow4n00bs]

Best version of this song!

[@Oldbanjoman]

Beautiful song sir... the banjo tuning please,,,,thank yoy sir. Like your playing style sir.

[@iamwltd]

Wow, super early on this one.

[@chaseesahc]

🔥

[@monalisa11]

big fan

[@bushratbeachbum]

There HAS to be video of these legends playing together, SURELY????!!!!!!

[@jontravis8729]

sam in ‘merica vhs drop please

[@GemsOnVHS]

damn, it could really happen!

[@gregorystokes3106]

Fuck yeah.. Thank you and thanks Ben for being a bad ass

[@SabrinaAngel]

❤❤️❤️😁

[@scottkidwell3601]

Damn. Thanks, y'all 🙏🏻🤍

[@captaintomandthehooligans7106]

Sam the man

[@viggalvens]

❤

[@captainbongwater8469]

Bro Tod and Shackleton! No way

[@vernonbridgewater1172]

You should try sing Utah Carol by Marty Robbins pretty good one to go with a banjo

[@ubepewp]

Loved it! What’s the tuning? And type of banjo?? It looks smaller than a typical one?

[@kyleknox7169]

Love me a Henry Goldie

[@daveradwick95]

Anyone know the tuning on the banjo?

[@terryhinkemeyer3857]

WARBING FOR HEAPHONE PEOPLE THERE'S A RIFLE FIRED IMMEDIAELELY AT THE END OF THE SONG Go do awesome things and have a great day, people! Wear your seatbelt. Tell somebody you love 'em.

[@zachkeegan4832]

Anyone know the tuning?

[@zachkeegan4832]

I think I found it, fCFCD

[@connerross612]

Give me your tired 🇺🇸

[@Susansmith7214]

Red Dead Redemption 2 was an absolute masterpiece and so was this. What a rad hangout. 🔥 ❤️ 🪕 🐕

[@ronaldriis1023]

Sam? Ben? Are we not being let in on stuff? What about Sierra?

[@flatheadwarrior]

Hell yeah. I watch this dude on TikTok

[@daveradwick95]

This video has only 888 views, (which is a crime) and I think 880 of them are mine.

[@TexWatson-jk7yu]

How tf is Ben not a felon