Biography: Sam Palladio

Sam Palladio: From Cornwall to Nashville and Beyond

Acclaimed Cornish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor Sam Palladio shot to fame in America, playing the character of Gunnar Scott in the American TV series Nashville. His debut album, “The Perfect Summer’s Day, Before We Lost The Light,” showcases his journey from his British roots to Nashville stardom. Sam will headline Friday night at The British Country Music Festival 2025.

Early Beginnings in Cornwall

Born in Cornwall, Sam Palladio’s musical roots run deep. From the tender age of five, he was already pretending to be in bands. By 13, he was a multi-instrumentalist, thanks to a gift from a second cousin. This allowed him to “annoy his parents” on guitar, bass, and drums. His early love for music set the stage for a remarkable career.

Education and Early Career

Palladio’s formal training began at London’s Rose Bruford College. Here, he honed his skills in musicianship and acting. This dual focus would prove invaluable in his future career. After graduation, he quickly landed roles that blended his musical and acting talents.

His first stage role was in a Barry Manilow jukebox musical. Soon after, he played Joe Strummer in a Sky comedy-drama called “Little Crackers”. In the BBC newsroom period drama “The Hour” the following year, he played an “unnamed Rockabilly.”

The Nashville Breakthrough

Palladio’s big break came with the hit TV series Nashville. He played Gunnar Scott, a country singer and songwriter, for six seasons. This role immersed him in Americana and country music and allowed him to work with top musicians and songwriters.

The show, created by Academy Award-winning writer Callie Khouri, was a massive international hit. It ran for six seasons with over 5 million viewers each week.

The show greatly impacted both Sam’s career and Country Music’s popularity in the UK.

Music City Inspiration

Living in Nashville, Palladio spent his spare time creating music and playing in local bars. This experience deeply influenced his musical style. He blended his British roots with his Nashville experience, creating a unique sound. His time in Music City, USA, allowed him to work with some of the finest musicians and songwriters in the world.

“The idea of making my own album had been gnawing and knocking and banging at the back of my mind for the most of my life,”

A Debut Album to Remember

In 2024, Palladio released his debut album, “The Perfect Summer’s Day, Before We Lost The Light”. The album title is a lyric from the achingly touching pop ballad ‘Something On My Mind’. The single was released at the end of last year and is inspired by the passing of Sam’s mother, Sally.

“I wanted to dedicate the album to Mum,” Palladio says. “I took the chorus lyric, “There’s something on my mind, it haunts me every night, the perfect summer’s day, before we lost the light”, to create the title. It symbolises Mum being the light of our lives and the darkness once it fades. I liked the joy and beauty of the line on its face value, as it reminds me of youthful summer days on Cornish beaches. But I also liked the dichotomy it created when put into the context of loss. Ultimately, I felt it allows her to live forever through song.”

The song was released to critical acclaim in November 2023, followed by a stunning acoustic version in 2024.

The album showcases his growth as an artist. It blends his British roots with his Nashville experience, creating a fresh and familiar sound. 

The lead single “Meanwhile In London,” reflects Palladio’s transatlantic journey. It features warm vocals and catchy melodies and speaks to his experiences of love and homesickness while living in the States.

Collaborations and Production

Palladio’s album features some impressive collaborations. Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters lends his guitar skills to the track “Tennessee”. This song showcases Palladio’s rock influences. Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro contributes vocals to “Spill Your Heart”, adding a touch of British rock to the album.

Søren Hansen and Grammy-winning Dave Sardy produced the album. Hansen, a Nashville-based Danish musician and producer, worked closely with Palladio throughout the pandemic. They wrote and recorded consistently in Hansen’s home studio, keeping the process fun, free, and unhurried.

Sardy, known for his work with artists like Oasis, Snow Patrol, and The Who added his expertise in the final stages. The album was finished at the iconic Sunset Sound studios in Los Angeles, where additional production and musicians were brought in to add the final touches.

Wake Me Up In Nashville

In Nov 2024, Sam released the official video for his delicate acoustic ballad honouring his late grandfather. The song reflects a heartfelt love story the decorated World War II bomber pilot experienced while based in America for training.  

Sam explains, “‘Wake Me Up In Nashville’ was the first song I wrote after moving to Nashville to shoot the TV show ‘Nashville’. It’s a song that I’m really proud of as it honours my late grandfather, Owen Scott, who was a famed Lancaster bomber pilot in World War II. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in over 30 missions throughout the war.

“The inspiration for the song came from his real-life wartime romance with a girl from Nashville. He met her while training in Pensacola, Florida and had started a romance until being sent back to England. He was put on a train that travelled across America, and on discovering he would be stopping in Nashville, he managed to get a letter to her to say he would “meet her on the platform” at Union Station in Nashville to say their farewells.

“The story goes that he tipped the train conductor to wake him up in Nashville as the train would be passing through early in the morning. Unfortunately, he was never awoken and never got to say goodbye to the girlfriend who had been waiting for him on the platform. 

Storytelling At The Heart

“It’s a story that has captivated fans for all the years I’ve been playing this song live and to finally put it out on my debut record feels very special. I was able to record him telling the story before he passed and made his voice the intro to the song, making it all the more personal and special.

Living in Nashville and being surrounded by a community of songwriters where storytelling is at the heart of the craft, inspired me to follow that path and put my grandfather’s story to music.”

From Screen to Stage

Whilst known for his role in “Nashville”, Palladio’s acting career spans various projects. He’s appeared in Netflix’s “The Princess Switch” trilogy and AMC’s “Humans”. He also starred in ABC’s primetime drama “Rebel” opposite Katy Segal and Andy Garcia.

In his latest acting role, Sam hit the big screens playing The Clash frontman Joe Strummer in the new biopic Bob Marley: One Love.

What to Expect at The British Country Music Festival 2025

Sam’s announcement as Friday Night headliner for The British Country Music Festival 2025 comes on the back of the sold-out, UK headlining Before We Lost The Light Tour.

Sam Palladio at Omeara: A Golden Night to Remember: “The live experience felt so much more than the studio version of the album, which is very rare. From start to finish, Sam Palladio had it all: charisma, incredible musicianship, and a genuine rapport with the crowd.” Rick Parris for Nashville Calling:  Read the full review here.

Music remains Sam Palladio’s true passion. He’s excited to bring his songs to the TBCMF audience:

“I love America, I love Nashville, and it’s been career-making for me to be there. But my roots are at home and the UK is a real focus for me.” Sam Palladio.