Guitar sensation Sam is a real star

Twenty-nine-year-old Sam Hardy says he is ‘living the dream’ after being picked to appear on the show alongside West End stars Bonnie Langford and Daniel Boys and actor Jasper Rees last month.

Since then, he has released his debut album Reflection, recorded two music videos, and played ‘possibly the best gig’ of his life back home in Pembrokeshire.

After previous jobs as a driving instructor, a stint as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter and a job at Tesco, Sam moved to London in January, determined to make a go of his music career.

“Having no money or job I knew I had to make money quick so I went busking again in the freezing cold, wearing four layers – which still didn’t help – and began making great contacts,” said Sam.

Despite not having played guitar for seven years, Sam’s unique Spanish flamenco style finger-picking was soon dragging in the crowds, and he was offered gigs at pubs across London.

But his most important encounter came when presenter Gaby Roslin heard him playing, and invited him on to her BBC London radio show.

In a tweet to the guitarist, Gaby said: “Just heard you busking and was blown away by you.”

“You really are a star,” she added.

“I couldn’t believe it, it felt like a dream,” said Sam.

Sam performed three songs live on the show on March 16, and was asked to improvise some blues when another guest failed to turn up.

“I had a fantastic time,” he added.

Despite his rapid success, Sam is keen to keep improving as a musician, and practises for between three and eight hours a day.

“It’s a full time job!” he said.

And he still regularly hits the streets to perform.

“The streets are the best place to network,” he said.

“To start playing in front of strangers with no backing track or anything is so daunting, but it’s helped me so much but now you could me in front of a stadium and I’d be fine.”

For more information about Sam, and to watch his new videos, visit www.samhardymusic.com.