Robert Sampson, often referred to by his Blues nickname “Lefty Preacher”, is a local musician originally hailing from East Saint Louis, Illinois, now residing in Jacksonville, Illinois.  

Upbringing

Robert is the fifth of six children.  Being born premature, he had to be placed in an incubator which affected his eyesight leaving him permanently visually impaired.  At the age of 6 months, Robert was placed into the foster care system along with his siblings.  All of them were separated into different homes.  From the age of 6 months old until the age of 21, Robert had been in 18 foster homes.  Most of these homes he was sexually, physically, and mentally abused.  At the early age of 3 years old, Robert discovered his gift for music.  Growing up in foster care, he was exposed to various styles and genres of music that would later shape him and send him down the road of his musically journey.  

Education

Being visually impaired caused many issues for Robert while trying to gain an education.  He was far behind all the other kids in school because of his visually impairment.  He attended Louis and Clark elementary school for his first grade year. Some people from the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired came down to observe Robert.  They were observing to see if he would be a candidate to attend the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, IL.  At the age of 7, Robert started attending the ISVI.  It is there he met friends, faculty, and staff that would help nuture his gift of music.  

Music & Influences 

Growing up in the church, Robert's first taste of music was in the church.  As he recalls, “I remember at an early age, listening to the organ, piano, and drums at church and I was mesmerized by the sounds.  All those notes and the rhythms going into my ears was just amazing.”  At the age of 3, Robert discovered the piano.  Over the many years to come, he would add, guitar, drums, bass, lap steel, pedal steel, saxophone, hand percussion, harmonica, organ, and various other instruments to his list.  At the age of 9, Robert discovered the Classic Rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Through listening to their music Robert learned to appreciate other artists that they covered such as Ricky Nelson, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Roy Orbison.  As his musically vocabulary over the years would expand exponentially, he would start implementing Jazz, Blues, 50's, 60's, 70's, Classic Country, and so many other styles and genres into his repertoire.  

Musical Accomplishments

IBC (International Blues Challenge

Robert has competed in the International Blues Challenge and is 4 time world finalist.

Bands

Robert has played in various bands as a member and just as a sit-in guest

 Pleasure Chest

Jessie and The South

Bluesmattic

Harmony GRITS

Travis Reid Band

Smokestacks

White Lightnin’

James Armstrong

Shirley King (BB King's daughter)

Back Pack Jones

Chris Camp & The Blues Ambassadors 

David Lumsden

Trio DeGroove

Robert Sampson Trio

Brandon Santini

Personal Bands

Over the years, Robert has had several incarnations of his own band.  The most recent is “The Robert Sampson Band.”  His band specializes in Blues, but also plays Classic R&B, Soul, Funk, and their own flavor of old Rock and Roll.  Robert also has a smaller 3-piece trio that performs simply known as “The Robert Sampson Trio.”

Solo

Amongst sitting in with other bands, running his own band, Robert also does his own solo performances.  Always full of energy, fun, excitement, and dancing, Robert plays all over Central Illinois in different venues ranging from schools, bars, restaurants, supper clubs, special events, nursing homes, churches, and wineries