It's not pop, it's not country: It's Americana

By TRISH McMAHON

The Mirror

Perry Sampley’s performance next Wednesday at Steel Lake Park marks the half-way point for the Summer Sounds at the Beach concert series.

The 7 p.m. free outdoor performance will feature contemporary Americana music by Sampley, a singer-songwriter from the Puget Sound area.

Often described as country-rock and folk-country, contemporary Americana is hard to pinpoint with a musical definition. Sampley described the music as “not pop, not country, but with a country flavor.” He said that it is similar to the music of John Cougar Mellencamp.

Sampley has been involved with music for about six years. He has performed at festivals, street fairs and similar venues, but this will be his first concert at Steel Lake in Federal Way. He said he will perform a mix of original songs, as well as classic rock and roll and contemporary covers.

His debut album, "Just a Man," will be available at the concert. He is finishing up his second album, which at this time is untitled.

Sampley explained that he doesn't have a band he regularly plays with and usually hires people for his performances. In addition to Sampley, the band at Steel Lake Park will include Kerry Burk on drums and guitar, Matt Morgan on bass guitar, Jeff Cravens on acoustic guitar, Art Bromage on electric guitar and Diggy Bell on keyboards.

Wednesday’s concert is the fourth Summer Sounds show this summer. Put on by Federal Way’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, the 2004 series consists of seven one-hour performances. The concerts showcase local bands weekly during July and August The music selection this year is varied, with each group performing a different style and genre.

Remaining concerts include:

• Aug. 4 –– Patrick Doherty (children’s music)

• Aug. 11 –– Raucous (country-rock band)

• Aug. 18 –– Brad Warren (folk singer, musical storyteller).

All performances begin at 7 p.m. and last one hour. Seating is festival-style. In case of rain, concerts will be relocated to an inside venue at Klahanee Lake Community Center, 33901 Ninth Ave. S.

News intern Trish McMahon: editor@fedwaymirror.com

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