Sam Phillips Sam Phillips Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) was an American record producer who played an important role in the development of rock and roll during the 1950s. He was the founder of Sun Records and Sun Studio, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he produced recordings by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin' Wolf. He launched Presley's career in 1954. Phillips sold Sun in 1969 to Shelby Singleton. He was an early investor in the Holiday Inn chain of hotels. He owned and operated radio stations in Memphis; Florence, Alabama; and Lake
Sam Frazier Jr. at Gilley's was Gene Watson, a legendary country artist. Sam's first big foray in the blues arena came in 1987. Sam booked a session at Sound of Birmingham recording studios in Birmingham, AL and over a six-month period, he and studio owner/producer Don Mosley finished an entire album which was released on the "Blue Rock" label out of Torrence, California. In support of that release, Sam moved to California and appeared on showcases around the state. While in California, Sam also performed with Johnny Otis in "The Johnny Otis Revue". On a return visit to Birmingham, Sam met record producer