Sam Shackleton (VHS HQ live series) // GemsOnVHS™

Some of y'all may remember our banjo playing Scotsman friend Sam Shackleton from his previous many appearances on the channel ( • Sam Shackleton, "House... , or his many viral TikTok clips. His banjo, guitar and whistling skills have become renowned throughout the world, and in this installment of our new VHS HQ series, he stopped in Nashville, Tennessee on his very first USA tour. He was gearing up for a string of shows with The Mary Wallopers. I actually had introduced them myself in Ireland, and Sam hit it off with the Wallopers over some late night pints and folk songs. That culminated in a nice bunch of shows, including these USA ones.
While Sam was at my house in Tennessee, we did a little tour of Appalachia, heading up to Kentucky to meet Benjamin Tod, to Elmwood to meet a sheep herder named Briar, and to Villa Acres farms in Sparta for some porch pickin. There really is a connection between Scotland and these Appalachian areas, and Sam often remarked how far he was from home, yet how comfortably familiar the character of the people was. I gave him the best little vacation I could out here, and hope he had as much fun as I did. Sam is one of the nicest fellows in the world, and I expect his star will only continue to rise over the years. I'll just be glad to say I knew him back when.
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 and Rusty Shackleford.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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0:00 (Intro)
1:08 Wild Bill Jones
4:26 (Sam's time in America)
5:07 The Overgate
7:47 (touring with Pokey LaFarge)
8:16 (Trawler's Lullaby introduction)
8:45 Trawler's Lullaby
12:28 (Scotland and America's folk traditions, and advice for the kids)

[@GemsOnVHS]

We're getting our field recordings on Spotify for y'all! Check 'em out at open.spotify.com/artist/7t78CwAbQIA6DKAKUKBYgl?si=V6VTcLxtQWupz0QpvbZYSA. You can find all of Sam's tunes at www.samshackleton.com/music and you can find him on Instagram at @sorleythebard.

[@tommymarsh9257]

I love you GemsOnVHS

[@GemsOnVHS]

shit i love YOU

[@tommymarsh9257]

Daaaawwww shucks! ❤

[@Oldbanjoman]

Great Sam,,,you're my favorite the last months,,,,nice voice en nice banjo style❤

[@a.p.rodgers]

Sam is one of my favorites right now. I just can't get enough of his songs.

[@hunterrizer]

He was great live! My legs were sore for at least a week afterwards from stomping so hard, got a chance to see them with the Mary Wallopers! Hope next time he comes down to our home in the Carolinas!

[@conorchapman733]

Fr I’m addicted to this shit and I’m from Florida I m looking for a banjo right now just to learn some of his songs!

[@andyj9599]

Never in a million years did I think I hear a song about the Overgate in Dundee on Gems!!!!

[@yannickjantje4098]

Yes man. Love sam shackleton

[@henddaer]

Nice seeing the Scottish and Irish lads link up with you the other side of the pond, rad!

[@GemsOnVHS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ciran1ne]

So glad that Sam got visit Gems. He's been one of my favorite artists in the past few years.

[@Cexlbr]

This guy is just unconditionally great no matter what he’s playing. Thanks for recording and sharing!

[@GemsOnVHS]

he is the best, and a good fella to boot

[@reliablechild]

The advice question. 💥

[@GemsOnVHS]

real wisdom drop ay

[@pokeemann1306]

SORLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a FANTASTIC tour!

[@JDiaz21]

Yeahhhhh! Focking Goodjob Mr.Sam , thanks GemsOnVHS🤠

[@meatcreap]

Sam's fkn deadly, man. I love it

[@GemsOnVHS]

glad you dig it bud

[@sethmountain]

This new program format is superb. First two episodes are incredible, Anthony! Sam was such a hoot here.

[@GemsOnVHS]

thanks seth!

[@scottb5067]

I was lucky enough to catch a live show of Sam and The Mary Wallopers when they came through my city, and it was one of the best shows I have seen this year. I want to thank Gems on VHS because they do a great service in introducing all of us to wonderful music that we might not even know exists without their hard work.

[@GemsOnVHS]

glad you dug the show!

[@scottkidwell3601]

Thanks, y'all 🙏🏻🤍 What a treat! Love the songs, and the American accent was great 😂

[@GemsOnVHS]

is he spot on or what?

[@scottkidwell3601]

@GemsOnVHS - he might struggle with a Midwest or west coast accent, but he has southern down solid

[@spudelrudel2979]

Anthony, so happy to see that format progressing! More songs, more dialogue:) Appreciate all the work that goes into these gems by you and the performers

[@GemsOnVHS]

thank you sir. love talking to my friends and just chattin!

[@moffphc9864]

Sam i a real gem form edinburgh, still need to pop in and see him play in Sandy Bells ;) He would work so well in Greyfriars Kirk ;)

[@viggalvens]

Great version! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@cormackjames]

This was amazing, and first time I've seen a Scot on Gems. Brilliant stories, I just found your music and I am not surprised to find out you know Benjamin Todd and Lost Dog. Respect! Please play in Indianapolis some day, I can help. If you have appeared on Gems you've made it! And Pokey, holy shite, no wonder I found you.

[@bobbycrispy5459]

Sam has the best qualities of all my favourite artists, really is treat t listen too

[@GemsOnVHS]

glad you dig it

[@spudelrudel2979]

that version of The Overgate is intense:) Keep on doing what you do Sam

[@LewisBurnerPugh]

Pure class mate. Let’s get ya back to Leeds some day! ❤

[@Free_Bird420]

I really like this format y'all 👍

[@GemsOnVHS]

im glad you like it. makes things much more efficient for us, cus everyone always be hittin us up sayin "hey were in nashville" and im like damn where tf we gonna film lol

[@alexgray8804]

Serious whistling skills

[@AxeMoose]

This was a true pleasure.

[@odieleigh]

so fun! love the new format!!!

[@GemsOnVHS]

is that THE odie leigh?? maybe you should do a VHS HQ!

[@ando5899]

Well this is a treat

[@philipbeadle6446]

Thanks for this! I've been following this guy on instagram, and it's so cool to finally hear full live versions of his songs instead of just clips.

[@GemsOnVHS]

indeed ! sam has his own youtube channel too

[@stormyyoung6344]

Nice performance

[@vinsamson8061]

Superb video! Very much enjoyed that while I’m currently sick and not performing myself at the minute with my banjo over here in Lincoln Uk. Nice to hear Sam is supporting the “Wallopers” and has also with Pokey! Both acts I also follow. Keep up the great work and have you guys ever looked at material by the amazing Clifton Hicks and also Zac Sokolow? Both fantastic old time banjo guys flying the banjo flag proudly over near you. 🤘

[@owenkjartanson7476]

I just got a notification from Sam's channel and was pleasantly surprised to see Zac Sokolow too, and when I read the description I found out Zac was in a band called LA LOM and when I checked them out - Zac is a seriously amazing guitarist too.

[@galaxyanimal]

Trawler's Lulllaby gives me serious Jimmie Rodgers vibes if you've ever heard of him.

[@Tony_02]

The American accent kinda sounds like Obama for a second