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Star Spotlight
Sammie had a platinum selling CD back in 2001, but he left the world of music for the halls of high school. Now, with high school behind him, this singing sensation is ready to get back to business. Scholastic News Online recently caught up with Sammie, whose self-titled CD will be available in stores this summer. We asked him about his career, his musical influences, and what he plans to do next. Here's what he had to say:
Q & A
Q:
I read that you co-wrote a lot of the songs on Sammie. Did you do any writing on your first album?
Sammie: No, but I had a little input on some of them.
Q:
When you were younger, you had a few major hits. What made you decide to pull back and be a "normal" kid?
Sammie: Everything was just moving so fast. The single took off really fast and the success was great. But it wasn't just my decision because I was [so young]. My family and I decided that if you want to do this once you graduate from high school, then you can go back and do it. Education has always been the first priority on my list. I decided to finish up high school.
Q:
Are you still planning on college?
Sammie: Oh, most definitely.
Q:
Do people treat you like a little kid in interviews? Do they sometimes forget that you aren't a 12-year-old anymore?
Sammie: I am not going to get away from the "little Sammie" because that is what the world knows me as. I grew up just like everyone else. I am 18 now.
Q:
What is the difference between your music then, and your music now?
Sammie: I went though high school [where I met] my first girlfriend... the whole [experience] and the whole break up. You go through different things in high school. I am observant and I [would] rather learn from other people's experiences. I just express it in my music lyrically.
Q:
Have your musical influences changed?
Sammie: No not much, I am still a Stevie Wonder fan. [He] is the greatest of all, in my opinion. I listen to a lot of gospel. I am all about the vocal ability. I love to hear people who can just sing.
Q:
What is your favorite song on the album?
Sammie: "My Own Way" is the most personal to me. I like it because every teenager can relate. Your parents have their own dreams for you, and when you want to go against them, that is when conflict starts. You are trying to be your own person. That is what that song is talking about. Trying to take my own path and see where it leads me.
Q:
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Sammie: The only thing I could say is that it happened so long ago. I know that everybody trips from time to time, but... I was bowling. They tell you not to cross that line for a reason. You know, it is very slippery. I was trying to do a little practice, and the ball slipped. I thought I could just run and catch the ball before it got all the way down there. When I did that, I just slid and ended up in the middle of the aisle. Everyone was just laughing, and there was no way to play it off. Usually when you trip you can play it off in some [way], but I could not do it. I think that was the most embarrassing moment.
Q:
How old were you?
Sammie: I was thirteen. It was right about the time the album was released and everybody came to a bowling alley to celebrate the album. It was horrible. I was trying to be cool and smooth. It was bad!
Q:
If you could make a flavor of ice cream, what would it be, and what would you call it?
Sammie: They need to start mixing vanilla and pineapple together. Every day, after school, I used to go to Twisty Treat and get that combination. I don't know what you would call that—I guess a vanilla pineapple blend. That is pretty good!
—Interview by Marie Morreale
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Sammie
(Photo: Courtesy of Rowdy Records)
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STAR STATS
Star Calendar
June 27, 2006
The CD Sammie hits music stores.
Visit Sammie's official Web site for tour dates and to listen to the new single "You Should Be My Girl."
Star Stats
Full Name: Sammie Bush
Birthplace: Miami, Florida
Current Residence: Atlanta, Georgia
Birth Date: March 1, 1988
Astro Sign: Pisces
Siblings: A younger brother and sister
Star Faves
Sport: basketball
Childhood Books: The Harry Potter series
School Subject: English
Movie: Gladiator
Musicians: Stevie Wonder, Usher, Marvin Gaye, Kim Burrell
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