Sam Munsick has just released his excellent second album JOHNNY FARAWAY, an album that fits with a growing number of artists who are proud to reattach the “Western” designation of their music to the broader “Country” definition. This generally denotes a sense of authenticity within the music. Lonesome Highway took the opportunity to catch up with Sam and ask him a few questions about his music and lifestyle.
Sam, tell us a little about how music came into your life and your involvement with your father and brothers in the Munsick Boys?
Music has been a part of my life since I can remember. My father is one of the best musicians I know. He plays fiddle, guitar, piano and basically any other instrument you can imagine as well as writing his own music. We have been playing music together as a family our entire life. It is just in our blood.
Growing up you most likely heard country music at home. Were there other forms that you listened to?
Traditional country music is obviously what would be playing around the house the most growing up, but we were raised to listen to everything. I played piano for many years as well as fiddle. So with both the fiddle and piano I was taught the classical method. I still love classical music to this day.
How important is the landscape and heritage of where you were raised in your music?
Growing up in rural Wyoming on a ranch the landscape has been a huge factor in my life. I have worked on ranches all over the western United States in different landscapes from mountains to the deserts. I love them all. When you aren’t surrounded by people and just have horses, cows and nature, you learn to really appreciate what is around you.
Do you consider the musical aspect of your life to be your career or are their other working considerations?
Just over the last few years I have started to take my musical career more seriously. I have a wife and 2 children and I own a fence contracting company in our hometown, so music is not necessarily my first priority but it feels great to be back on the road playing music and making a supplemental income doing so. Right now I am on a plane flying to California to perform with The Munsick Boys for the next three days.
You all seem to be steeped in the Western tradition of country music. Who are your influences?
My father would have to my biggest influence. He is such a great story teller and has mastered the art of putting stories into song in such vivid detail. Along with my father there’s Ian Tyson, Tom Russell, Merle Haggard and the list goes on …
There seems to be a growing number of younger artists drawn to the stories and lifestyle of the west. How aware are you of these?
I try to keep up on the new up and coming artists as much as I can because I love finding new western music to listen to. Wyoming is developing a very good western music scene that several of my friends are involved in as well which makes it really fun. Colter Wall is knocking it out of the park lately and I sure enjoy his music.
You released your album yourself does that make it easier or more difficult for you?
It was kind of a difficult process because I am not real tech savvy nor am I good about pushing my music on social media, but it feels very good to have the album out and I plan to keep them coming.
You recorded the new album in Texas and brought some top players into the studio. Were you nervous at all about how the recording would go?
That was the first time I had ever been to a professional recording studio. It was a very awesome experience getting to play with such high caliber guys. I definitely felt like the weak link!
The use of the full band certainly opens the album up to a wider listenership than some western themed albums that are more acoustic and campfire. Is that the kind of music you personally love to play?
I generally just play acoustic solo shows so the use of the full band on the album was just something I wanted to do once in my life and I’m very glad I did.
Are you a writing regularly or how does inspiration come to you?
I always have song ideas rolling around in my head and at any given time have multiple songs I’m working on. Usually a line to a song will pop into my head and from there I will try to develop a story.
The song 1922 evokes an earlier time through a painting of C.M.Russell. Does that kind of evocative depiction of the west still connect with you?
1922 is probably my most popular song. I love Charlie Russell and all his artwork and stories. I really just love the west and wish I could have been a part of the old west.
Were you a fan of western movies grown up?
We were raised on old westerns. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
Authenticity seems to be a key word to many who listen to this genre of music. Was that further helped from being raised in Wyoming?
I think that is absolutely true. Being raised out in the country in Wyoming just creates an authentic person. I sing about what I know.
What are your plans for the future as regarding promoting the album?
I have been playing a lot of music and traveling a lot with my music lately. The album has been getting quite a bit of attention and seems to be getting me better gigs in awesome places. I’ve been to Florida twice, San Antonio, Arizona, Nevada, Montana and now California. All within the last few months, so I’m just going to keep rolling with the flow.
Will your and that of you brother Ian’s career mean that the Munsick Boys is on hold for a time?
All of us have our own individual music scenes going on but we still make time when someone calls wanting The Munsick Boys. Ian lives in Nashville and his touring schedule keeps him pretty busy but my older brother Tris, my dad Dave and I still perform multiple shows a year together, which is always fun.
Interview by Stephen Rapid