Happy 31st Sam Hunt [GALLERY]

Happy birthday to this rising star whose only performed once in Cedar Rapids and is now a full-fledged superstar.

Sam was in Cedar Rapids last fall for a show with Kip Moore at the Paramount Theatre. At that time, Sam's single Leave the Night On was well on its way to being a number one song. It would reach the summit six weeks later. Still, there were many people in the audience not yet familiar with him. I walk away incredibly impressed, as you can see by the Facebook message I sent following his performance (below). In many ways, Sam stole the show that night and he's been doing it ever since.

Sam grew up in Georgia and played quarterback at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He began to play guitar during his college years and was bitten by the music bug. After an unsuccessful tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was on to Music City.

Once he arrived in Nashville, Sam became a successful songwriter. His pen is responsible for "Come Over" by Kenny Chesney (Sam co-wrote the song with several others) and "Cop Car" by Keith Urban. Another bug would soon bite. The one to perform. What he's accomplished thus far is nothing short of remarkable:

Leave the Night On-#1 (November '14)
Take Your Time-#1 (May '15)
House Party -#1 (September '15)
Breakup in a Small Town -(currently #11)

It's been quite a last 14 months for Sam Hunt and the future looks bright. Very bright.

[via SamHunt.com]