Barber was born to a mechanic, his father, and a nurse, his mother. He was raised on his family's large ancestral farm in Frohna, Missouri. His focus for much of his child and teenage life was on athletics and school;[1] Barber didn't begin to learn to play music until he learned about his great-grandfather's music ability when he was 16. He wrote some of his now-released songs around this time, but wouldn't release them until years after.[1] Before releasing music, he enrolled in the civil engineering program at the State Technical College of Missouri.[3]
Career
2021–2022: Social media and American Idol
Beginning in 2021, while still enrolled at the State Technical College, Barber released videos on short-form social media platform TikTok performing original songs as well as covers. His first video on the platform displaying his music was posted on March 14, 2021.[3] Barber first gained popularity on the platform when he posted a video of himself performing a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man", followed by videos of covers of "Dancing in the Sky" by English duo Dani and Lizzy—which he later released as a single—and "Ophelia" by The Lumineers.[3]
On September 6, 2021, Barber would release his first single, "Run Away High", via digital download and streaming.[6]
In late 2021 and early 2022, Sam Barber auditioned during the filming of the twentieth season of American Idol.[3] Although he received a golden ticket to Hollywood Week following his performance, he was eliminated and neither his audition nor his performance at Hollywood Week would air.[7]
Barber's next release wouldn't be until May of the following year with the single "Ramblin Man" on May 8, 2022.[6] Another long release gap appeared before the releases of "Straight and Narrow" on November 30 and "As Time Passes" on December 15, 2022. The former would eventually become his first charted song and certified gold by the RIAA.[4][6]
On September 21, 2023, Barber released his debut EP, Million Eyes, through Lockeland and Atlantic.[12] This EP includes five previously-released singles as well as three new songs. Barber has stated that his favorite song off the EP is "Save Me", a ballad about struggles with mental health.[3][1]
On January 5, 2024, Barber released a live EP, Live EP 001, which includes live performances of some of the songs from Million Eyes and other singles.[13]
On February 9, 2024, Barber released his first single of the year, "S.O.B." Prior to the release of the single, Barber held a fan vote on social media platform Instagram between three potential songs, which "S.O.B." ultimately won.[14] One month later, on March 14, 2024, Barber released his second single of the year, "Streetlight"[15]
On August 9, 2024, Barber announced via Instagram his 25-city "Restless Mind" concert tour and the release of his next single, "Better Year".[17] On August 23, 2024, Barber released a two-song single which contained "Better Year" and a cover of an unreleased song written by Tyler Childers, "Jersey Giant".[17][18] On October 11, 2024, Barber released another single, "Thought of You".[19] Three days later, Barber announced the release of his debut album, Restless Mind, on November 1, 2024. The album will contain 27 tracks, including "Streetlight", "S.O.B.", and "Straight and Narrow", as well as his three most recent singles.[18]
Discography
Studio albums
List of studio albums with selected details and chart positions
