Sam Ishihara
Country and Western

SNL stalwart Sam Ishihara returns to the Club on July 18 to play his and your favorite Country & Western tunes. In 1979 Osaka native Ishihara opened a Country music themed bar in Tokyo called Stonefield's which attracted a loyal following of aficionados of good ole down-home Country music. Sam shut down Stonefield's a few years back, but he's still singin' and pickin' at various clubs and bars in Tokyo.

"I used to listen to the Far East Network when I was a schoolboy," says Sam, who has written some 1,000 songs, including "One More Beer" and "The Salaryman's Waltz." "Some of my favorite programs at that time were 'The Grand Ole Opry', 'The Top 20', 'The Honshu Hayride', 'Platter Parade' and 'Gun Smoke.' I love American country and 1950s music very much."

Between songs, Sam shares his encyclopedic knowledge and love of country and pop music by telling the stories behind the songs. So for a slice of honest, cryin'-in-your-beverage country music, mosey on down to the Club the evening of July 18. Close your eyes and you'll think you're in Nashville.

The Entertainment Committee

Coming up:
July 25 Paul Fleisher, jazz sax/flute player with his ensemble
Aug 1 Jonathan Katz and Andrea Hopkins, the best jazz vocal-piano duo in Tokyo
Aug 8 JJ Vicars, Rock 'n' Roll
Aug 15 Obon, no SNL