Saturday, July 4th, at noon on 88.1 WVPE
Before a sold-out audience at the Wild Rose Moon Performing Arts Center, singer-songwriter Sam Robbins brought an evening of thoughtful storytelling, exceptional musicianship, and heartfelt conversation to the Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour. Originally from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Robbins has become one of the most compelling voices in today’s contemporary folk scene. A Berklee College of Music graduate, former contestant on NBC’s The Voice, winner of the 2021 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition, and a 2026 Folk Alliance International Artist of the Year nominee, Robbins is known for crafting songs that blend the timeless storytelling traditions of artists like James Taylor and Jim Croce with deeply personal reflections on family, compassion, and the shared experiences that connect us all. Joined by Warsaw guitarist Patrick Woods, Robbins invited listeners into an unforgettable evening where songs became stories, music brought joy to the theater, and every conversation revealed something new to learn.
Act One – Finding the Songs That Matter
In our “Note from Rosie,” listeners are introduced to acclaimed songwriter David Wilcox, whose reflections on music’s power to heal and inspire set the tone for an evening of thoughtful conversation and song. George then welcomes Sam Robbins for a discussion exploring the experiences and influences that shaped one of contemporary folk music’s rising singer-songwriters. Listeners learn how a teenage drummer discovered songwriting through Bob Dylan’s Chronicles, how a Berklee songwriting assignment taught by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Paula Cole became one of his most personal songs, and why Robbins believes the best songs are the ones only their writer could create. Robbins performs “Live Them In Love,” inspired by his engagement and the adventure of building a life with someone you love, followed by the deeply moving “Raining Sideways,” a tribute to his father that resonates with anyone who has reflected on family, legacy, and growing up. As the final notes linger in the theater, the audience responds with heartfelt applause, recognizing the universal truths woven into Robbins’ deeply personal stories.
Act Two – Harbors, History & Happy Competition
Warsaw’s own Patrick Woods takes the stage with his original instrumental “White Willow Harbor,” inspired by the quiet beauty of seaside communities and showcasing his expressive fingerstyle artistry. The evening then shifts into one of the Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour’s favorite traditions, Shoot the Moon, where audience members Jamie Fleury, longtime journalist for the Pilot News, and Dean Woodson, a skilled mold maker, woodworker, and proud grandfather, compete in a lively trivia challenge. Questions inspired by Sam Robbins’ music, Berklee College of Music, Portsmouth’s naval history, and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s classic poem Ozymandias create an entertaining blend of music, literature, history, and humor. Friendly competition and laughter remind listeners that learning and community have always been at the heart of the Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour.
Act Three – What a Little Love Can Do
Returning to the stage, George and Sam explore the influence of Stoic philosophy and Marcus Aurelius on Robbins’ songwriting, along with the lessons learned from years of performing in coffeehouses, listening rooms, biker bars, and small-town venues across America. Robbins performs “Hard to Hate,” a moving reflection on the unexpected friendships and shared humanity he discovered while traveling the country, followed by “What a Little Love Can Do,” an uplifting anthem encouraging listeners to choose kindness in a divided world. By the evening’s end, the audience has laughed together, reflected together, and been reminded that some of life’s greatest lessons are found not only in extraordinary moments, but in simple acts of understanding, generosity, and love.
For one unforgettable evening, the Wild Rose Moon stage became more than a place for performance—it became a place where music brought joy, stories inspired reflection, and every conversation offered listeners an opportunity to discover something new. As Sam Robbins reminded us through both conversation and song, sometimes the smallest acts of love leave the greatest and most lasting impression.
- "Girl with the Funny Hat"