Sam Ah Chookoon

Sam Ah Chookoon, also known as Mr. Cowboy 62, is a country singer from Western Samoa. He attracted attention following a guest appearance on the Ray Hadley show on Radio 2GB.

Sam Ah Chookoon
Also known asMr Cowboy 62
BornWestern Samoa
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Farmer, musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active2018 to present

Background

A banana farmer from Vaitoloa in Apia, Western Samoa,[1][2] Ah Chookoon first fell in love with country music at the age of eight after his father introduced him to it.[3] Johnny Cash is one of his influences.[4] Other music he listened to when he was young were artists such as Jim Reeves, Dwight Yoakam, Charley Pride, George Straight and Patsy Cline.[5] In October 2019 , he made an appearance with guitarist Josh Mase on Radio 2GB show hosted by Ray Hadley. While there Sam with instrumental accompaniment by Josh, he did a cover of Grandpa" which was originally done by The Judds. He made a big impression on the host who said "I’m overwhelmed". Hadley also predicted big things for his future.[6][7] By December that year he had already attracted millions of views online and thousands of followers across the world with his music.[8] In an interview with The Coconet, he said that he never intended to be the Pied Piper of country but since sharing his music on social media, he was encouraged to see a lot of fellow pacific islanders supporting the genre. By early 2019, he had recorded and released a country song in Samoan.[5]

Along with Uili Lafaele Junior who is a former Pesega College music teacher, Chookoon has set up a recording studio in Samoa to work with aspiring artists.[9]

Venues

He appeared at the Penrith Hotel on October 19, 2019.[10] He appeared at the 2020 Tamworth Country Music Festival with his nine-piece band The Western Samoans which is made up of Samoan musicians.[11]

He is to appear at the 2021 Tamworth Country Music Festival event as part of an International Showcase.[12]

References
  1. Northern Daily Leader, January 22, 2020 - Country Music Festival: Mr Cowboy debuts at TCMF - Madeline Link
  2. tvnz.co.nz, Thursday, December 19 - Samoa's 'Mr Cowboy' holding Hawke's Bay fundraising concert for measles crisis gripping island nation - Sean Hogan
  3. The New Zealand Herald, Dec 17, 2019 - (Hawkes Bay Today), Samoan Cowboy headlines Flaxmere benefit concert By: Shannon Johnstone
  4. Northern Daily Leader, January 22, 2020 - Country Music Festival: Mr Cowboy debuts at TCMF - Madeline Link
  5. The Coconet, February 8, 2019 - E le'o a'u se fufulu ulo - Mr Cowboy
  6. 2GB 873 AM, October 17, 2019 - News, ‘I’m overwhelmed’: Ray Hadley gets his Samoan discovery to perform live in the studio
  7. WORKING BULL Country Music & Life, October 22, 2019- Meet Mr Cowboy 62 by Mindy
  8. tvnz.co.nz, Thursday, December 19 - Samoa's 'Mr Cowboy' holding Hawke's Bay fundraising concert for measles crisis gripping island nation - Sean Hogan
  9. Samoa Observer, April 21, 2020 - Former teacher, student give artists exposure By Vaelei Von Dincklage
  10. 2GB 873 AM, October 17, 2019 - News, ‘I’m overwhelmed’: Ray Hadley gets his Samoan discovery to perform live in the studio
  11. The Daily Telegraph, January 24, 2020 - Samoan cowboy trades banjo for ukulele at Tamworth Country Music Festival
  12. Tamworth Country Music Festival - Toyota Park, International Showcase
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