Samantha told exploreClarion.com, “My mom said I was singing before I could talk.”

“Music is a passion of mine. I want this (performing) to become my livelihood. How amazing and blessed I would be, if I can make my living doing something that I love.”

Samantha has been performing on stage since she was 8-years-old. She began playing the flute in fourth grade and was also a member of the choir. Now at the age of 28, she performs weekly at various establishments throughout the area.

Most of Samantha’s musical talent was self-taught; teaching herself how to play the ukulele, guitar, bass, tambourine and kazoo.

Throughout the years, she has participated in many singing competitions and has performed at many venues in western Pennsylvania.

Growing up, Samantha placed in numerous talent shows for singing; she was a soloist for her high school choir; and she was accepted into The Young Americans performing and educational program.

Now, Samantha performs her music locally at the R** Bandana Winery in Leeper, The Uptown Bistro in Franklin, and other local establishments.

Samantha was performing at the Clarion Farmers Market when she met the owner of R** Bandana Winery, Kate Hall.

“Kate asked me to start playing at the winery and that’s where it all started…at the Clarion Farmers Market,” explains Samantha.

“I love the crowd at the winery. Believe me, I love playing anywhere but at the winery I have the most artistic freedom,” continues Samantha.

“Samantha’s creativity along side her powerfully feminine voice and myriad of instruments, surprises and enchants the audiences! We love her sound and what she brings to the winery,” says Kate Hall.

During the interview, exploreClarion.com had an opportunity to ask Samantha Sears about her music and the story behind her passion for performing.

I started playing solo at C.R.E.A.T.E in Brookville and my solo career progressed from there. I got my first paid gig at a Brookville bar, and then I started doing gigs down in Pittsburgh.

Currently I perform by myself the most. I am also in an acoustic rock duo, called ‘The Banned,’ and I perform with a couple other local bands.

Who inspired you?

I’m inspired by many artists and it’s hard to pick just a couple. Creative people in general inspire me.

Strong female musicians definitely inspire me; Sheryl Crow has always been one. In the past it was Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Gloria Estefan, Madonna, Jewel and Alanis Morrisette.

I love 60’s music and culture, that’s always been a big inspiration.

A band I got into late was Blind Melon and even though they didn’t get to release much music, what they did is pretty phenomenal. Eddie Vedder released an album of all ukulele songs and that’s what inspired me to start playing the ukulele.

Mumford and Sons and that whole genre of music they’ve sparked, I just love harmonies and all the layers in songs.

You know what else inspires me, local musicians who do their thing, ones that go out to open mics, those that put themselves out there. You’d be amazed at the amount of talent at any given open mic in Western Pa. That’s inspiring, musicians I’ve met alone the way, either at shows or open mics, knowing there are others like me out there just doing their thing.

Who is your favorite vocalist?

Once again, it’s hard to pick only one. Sheryl Crow, Grace Potter from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Robert Plant from Zeppelin, Amy Lee from Evanescence, Chris Cornell from Sound Garden and Audioslave, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam, Adele and many more.

What is your favorite song?

Longtime favorites include, “Ordinary Morning” by Sheryl Crow; “Name” by The Goo Goo Dolls; “Change” by Blind Melon; “Within You, Without You” by The Beatles; and “Tokyo Sunrise” by LP.

Lately I’ve been crushing on “Ends of the Earth” by Lord Huron.

Do you have a current CD available to the public?

I have CD’s I bring to all of my gigs, they’re life recordings from various performances I’ve recorded myself on a little Sony recorder. Recording a real album is a dream I’ve always had.

What’s next for Samantha Sears?

I’d like to keep seeing where music takes me. When I think back to just a year ago, I can’t believe where it’s taken me thus far. So as long as I can keep making music, I’ll be happy.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hard to say. I know where I’d be in a perfect world. I just hope I’m happy and doing something I love. I always see music being a part of my life because it always has been.