Sam Tsui: My Tribute

For those of you who have not read my latest music hub on Music Covers, I would like to briefly address my inspiration for giving tribute to Cover Artists. I enjoy listening to these artists, because they provide a different voice and style to music that I listen to all the time. Sometimes, change is beneficial when it comes to music. I feel that Cover Artists provide me with a change of musical scenery, if you will.

A few nights ago, I decided I would begin a dedication series to some of my favorite Cover Artists! The first one in the lineup is Sam Tsui. This tribute will be a special one for me because Sam Tsui is the first Cover Artist I began listening to. He paved the path that led me to my obsession with Music Covers. I blame my addiction on him. But, this addiction is a good thing because I enjoy listening to different voices every now and then. Don't get me wrong here! I love and admire popular artists like Bruno Mars, Adele, and Katy Perry. But, I also admire artists that have the courage to take one of these popular songs and make it their own.

With that being said, here is the first tribute to Cover Artists! Sam Tsui is his name and making girls swoon is his game! I have to warn all of you women out there before you venture on with this article. Many girls have been known to drool over him. And no, I do not mean literally. Why would you think that? That is just gross! Sit back and enjoy this tribute to my favorite Cover Artist, Sam Tsui!

On May 2, 1989 Tsui graced the world with his presence. Sam Tsui was born at a very young age and welcomed into the world with the help of his mother. He was born in Blue Bell, PA, and was neighbors with Kurt Scheinder while growing up. I will be sharing more about Kurt later on. He was very active in the musical program at Wissahickon High School. He was in several musicals, one of them being Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor DreamCoat.

Upon graduation from high school, Sam Tsui attended Yale University. No shock to anyone, he Immediately joined the all male a capella group The Duke's Men of Yale. Sam Tsui graduated from Yale Magna Cum Laude(with "great honor" for those of you unskilled in Latin like me), majoring in Classical Greek. As you can probably all ready notice, Sam Tsui is a very smart young man who is diligent and works hard at his love for music.

Sam Tsui and his neighborhood friend Kurt Schneider began singing together back in high school. This consisted of an electronic keyboard, basic recording equipment and GarageBand, a music sequencing tool made by Apple. Every artist has to start somewhere. Sam Tsui did not become famous overnight. He had humble beginnings, but it was his courage, hard work anddiligence that has brought him to where he is today.

Before we delve any further into the awesomeness that is Sam Tsui, I would like to share with you one of my favorite videos. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this video below of Sam Tsui singing "If I Die Young", by Band Perry. This YouTube video currently has 11,696,842 views.

Giving Sam Tsui the credit alone for what he has achieved, would be like saying Lebron James won the 2012 NBA championship by himself. Lebron is undeniably talented, but he also needed the help of his four accompanying starters on the squad. Comparably so, Sam Tsui would not be where he is today if it would not been for the help of Kurt Schneider.

Kurt Schneider is Sam Tsui's recorder and producer. Schneider's ability to brilliantly design music videos is beyond me! The videos he produces are impeccable! Scheider also attended Yale, and this is where their friendship blossomed. They have arranged several covers and have created a College Musical Series, a spoof of High School Musical.

If you want to see their music all in one place for easier viewing, just visit the YouTube channel "KurtHugoSchneider".

1. Majored in Greek, the complete opposite side of the spectrum than music.

2. His top viewed video on YouTube is his cover of "Just A Dream" which he sang with Christina Gimmie. This video has currently 51,401,661 views!

3. The KurtHugoSchneider channel currently has gathered over 470 million total views and 1, 427, 271 followers!

4. Tsui and Kurt sing mashups and medleys as well.

5. Time magazine has described Tsui's music as a combination of Glee and Attack of the Clones.

6. On February 3, 2011, Sam Tsui was featured on Britney Spear's website with his cover "Hold It Against Me".

7. Sam Tsui's original song "Start Again" was included in Andy Franham-Allen's book "Seeker" in March of 2001.

8. Actor Tom Hanks gave a speech for Sam Tsui's graduation class where he mentioned Sam Tsui three times!

9. In 2009, he was interviewed and performed on the Bonnie Hunt Show. He sang "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston.

10. In 2010, Tsui and Schneider were interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Sam sang his medley of Micahel Jackson songs.

11. He appeared on ABC News singing "I'll Be There" by Maroon 5.

12. Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider were interviewed on the Ellen Degneres show and sang a mashup of "Firework" by Katy Perry and "Grenade" by Bruno Mars.

13. During the Sing Off Season 3, Sam Tsui worked as a behind the scenes host which inspired him to write a song dedicated to the three judges, Sarah Bareilles, Ben Fold, and Shawn Stockman.

14. His Twitter currently has 96,127 followers!

15. His Facebook page has 727, 000 followers!

16. His newest cover is "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry. It is two weeks old with 225,365 views all ready!

If you want to learn more about Sam and Kurt you can visit the Star Scoop Interview site, where they answer personal questions, share how they got started and how they got to where they are today.

What caught my attention as I was reading this interview was the question that was asked of Sam Tsui: What do you want to say to your fans?

His reply:

"First and foremost, just a huge thanks. Honestly, this really started for us as something that was fun to do. We both love making music, love making videos like this. The fact that people started showing interest…and give us a real reason to be able to put a lot of time and love and energy into it has been absolutely amazing.

Just the incredibly, incredibly positive response we’ve gotten from people and the continued interest is not only really touching for us and means a lot to us, but the fact that it allows us to keep doing this stuff that we love and be able to take it seriously is a gift. That’s 100 percent the fans and the people who continue to watch and subscribe to us. I know I’m certainly so thankful for that."

Before I say farewell, I have shared a video of one of the most beautiful covers I personally think he has ever done! I get goose bumps when I hear this song. Please don't shoot me when I confess that I may or may not like this version better than the original. Sam Tsui portrays powerful emotion as he sings this song; listen for yourself!

I love Sam Tsui because of his ability to make a well known song his own with his unique voice and unparalleled style. Kurt Schneider beautifully compliments Tsui's stardom qualities with his ability to produce and record. Some of the best music videos I have seen on YouTube have been produced by Schneider!

Well, that is is for now fellow hubbers. This concludes my first hub in the Cover Artists Series! The next one will be out in a few days! I hope I have given this young and rising star some justice. I also hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into the career of Sam Tsui, my favorite Cover Artist up to date!