If you are not already familiar with Sam Adams’ background, then here's your introduction.
Sports writer-turned-standup comedian. Keynote speaker. Television commentator, author and commercial actor.
Sam Adams is a 12-time recipient of Bash/GigMasters' "Best Of" award, which is based on the number of four-star or higher reviews a performer receives each year.
In 2015 Sam received this site's coveted "Rising Star" award for being the top-booked comedian.
Sam performed his first standup comedy set in 2001, just a few months after his return from reporting at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney Australia. At age 41 he took the stage for New Talent Night at Denver’s famed Comedy Works.
Eight years later, performing comedy became Sam’s full-time professional career.
Sam’s profanity-free comedy performances earned him high praise at the 2009 Great American Comedy Festival. He won the festival’s amateur competition, then was asked to compete as a replacement entrant in the professionals division. Sam took second place in the field of two dozen experienced national headline comedians.
Sam has opened music concerts and comedy shows for a variety of acts ranging from Gladys Knight, Al Jarreau and Heart, to Kevin Nealon, Caroline Rhea, David Alan Grier, Jon Lovitz, Josh Blue and Craig Ferguson — all while reaching headliner status himself.
In 2018 Sam’s national popularity catapulted when the “True Color” clip from his first Dry Bar Comedy special went viral — with more than 10 million social media views in less than 72 hours. The routine, based on human skin tones, has accumulated nearly 36 million views on Facebook alone.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette offered this review after one of Sam’s performances in 2019: “Known for his prize-winning comedy and casual delivery devoid of profanity and vulgarity, (Adams) spent two hours entertaining a full house that belly-laughed and applauded too many times to count.
“If it’s true that laughter is the best medicine, he administered his healing brand intravenously for two solid hours.”
Before standup, Sam’s full-time professional career was in journalism. He spent three decades as a sports writer, radio and television commentator based in Denver, Colorado.
In 2003 Sam’s media peers elected him Colorado’s Print Journalist of the Year. Sam’s coverage for many of the world’s most celebrated sporting events (from Super Bowls to Olympics) helped him gain both serious and humorous perspectives for his first book titled, ‘If You Don't Believe Me: Lessons Learned from Listening To The Greats.’ (Released in April, 2013.)
In 2019 Sam was one of five inductees to the Denver Press Club’s Hall of Fame. He is the first African-American sports journalist to receive the honor from the nation's oldest press club.
As a public speaker, Sam offers three vibrant keynote presentations. The first is titled, ‘Seeing Your Success Through My Two I's' which offers sound advice for success based on Sam’s career endeavors. The second is titled, ‘Race To A Finish Line’ in which Sam advances his novel perspectives on the topic of race relations.
The third presentation, "Press Pass" is a unique review, through photos and comedic commentary, of Sam's many encounters and experiences as a sports journalist. For Sam's book, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway offered the following tribute … “Through the ups and downs of an NFL career, I developed great trust, respect and appreciation for him. Blending an uncanny ability to mix humor with keen insight and knowledge, Sam is a one-of-a-kind storyteller.”
All three of Sam's presentations offer insightful, impactful and humorous references from his careers in journalism and entertainment, and feature riveting anecdotes taken from his personal and professional encounters with well-known sports figures and entertainers. All three presentations are suitable for audiences of all ages.
Now you know Sam Adams. So book him today for your event. You'll learn first-hand why clients, critics and audiences have been extremely impressed with Sam's work on stages and on pages, as an entertainer, keynote speaker and journalist.