Recorded Works

Below is a comprehensive list of Sam's recorded musical endeavors. For a list consisting only of his official releases, see the discography.

    • What's to Come? (2001)

    • Sam's first full-length album of original compositions.

    • The Government Amendment Project (2002)

    • For a class assignment, Sam wrote and recorded songs about various amendments to the U.S. Constitution. This EP includes "The Bill of Rights Ballad," "The Prohibition Jingle," "The Slave Song," and "The Election Tune."

    • Live Geeks - Beowulf the Hero (2002)

    • A single with lyrics written by Clayton Jewell and music based on "Naked and Famous" by the Presidents of the United States of America.

    • Rudyard Men's Group (2002)

    • An EP recorded with vocalists Nathan Porterfield, Josh Frye, and Kurt Hauswirth. Sam contributed vocals as well as the arrangements of the songs. Includes "Soon-ah Will Be Done," "The Men's Group Theme Song," and more.

    • Songs Left Unsung (2002)

    • Sam's second full-length album of original compositions and the first that he produced himself.

    • The Fibarbarians - Cabin Jam (2003)

      • A live jam album recorded with Jon Johnson (vocals, rhythm guitar, bass) and Lucas Otten (bass, drums). Sam played lead guitar and shared writing duties. Includes "Lemon," "Three Chord Frenzy in F# minor," and more.

    • Rhapsody in Blue (2003)

    • A live, piano-solo version of George Gershwin's class piece, recorded as part of Sam's application to minor in music at Grand Valley State University (which he later decided against, but not before meeting his future wife in the process).

    • The Spanish Sessions (2004)

    • A pair of songs recorded with Sam's Spanish cousin Carlos de Mingo (who contributed lyrics and backing vocals). Includes "1 2 3" and "Tortuga."

    • Winter Demos (2004)

    • A pair of demos that Sam recorded while thinking about producing a holiday EP. Includes original arrangements of "Carol of the Bells" and "Arabian Dance."

    • Rock Demos (2005)

    • Recordings of Sam's rock-and-roll compositions on which he sings and plays guitar, bass, and piano. Includes "A Stone's Throw Away," "The Place to Be," and "Move On."

    • Acoustic Demos (2006)

    • Stripped-down recordings of songs Sam wrote with acoustic guitar while at college. Includes "Let It Out," "Give Up," "Summertime in D-flat," and more.

    • The Otten Bros. - The BEACHketball EP (2007)

    • With Isiah and Drew, Sam recorded these songs which were incorporated into Fibre Studios' Soundstone Theater project. Includes "The BEACHketball Theme" and "The BEACHketball Ballad." (BEACHketball is a game invented by Drew.)

    • Sam L - The Indian Sessions (2007)

    • Sam served as the producer of an EP written and performed by Sam L, one of Sam's former piano students.

    • The Dale Bergman Duo - The Sax Sessions (2008)

    • An EP of some songs that Sam (on piano) and Dale (on tenor sax) have been playing for years at nursing homes. Includes "Misty," "O Danny Boy," and more.

    • Ashley Traynor - Pass It On (2008)

    • Sam contributed the piano accompaniment to this single, recorded with Ashley in Kincheloe, MI.

    • The Illustrated Man (2008)

    • Sam's third full-length album of original compositions, two discs of music based on Ray Bradbury's collection of short stories. Read more.

    • The Otten Bros. - The Hot Dog Song single (2008)

    • Written by Sam and performed by his family and friends (with lead vocal by Drew), this song is meant to be the basis of an upcoming web video produced by Fibre Studios.

    • Music to Accompany Marriage (2009)

      • Sam recorded several tracks of accompaniment for use in his wedding, with Dale Bergman supplying the live saxophone part. Includes original arrangements of the Bridal March and Pachelbel's Canon (not to be confused with "Loosely Pachelbel," a track appearing on What's to Come?).

    • Jim Scott - The Coach Sessions (2009)

    • Sam used his recording equipment to capture a few praise songs performed by his friend, Jim Scott.

    • A Song About You single (2009)

    • A love song.

    • Live Geeks - The Cavanaugh EP (2009)

    • An EP of covers performed by Sam's old high school band. You can hear the music on the Music page.

    • The Dale Bergman Duo - Extended Sessions (2010)

    • Building on The Sax Sessions (2008), Sam and Dale recorded a few more of their nursing home standards.

    • Dolsen Elementary - Dolsen's Demos (2011)

    • Working with Chelsea's elementary music students, Sam arranged and recorded songs written by the students. Here is the full track listing.