Music Man | Lisa Casarez Reporting Musicians spend hours to get the perfect sound. They often get help from others with the details. Today we spend a day in the life of a man who lives for music. You never know where you might find talent and few may know that as much as Sam Makarim. Sam has been a musician since he can remember and his style reflects his international influence. "God, I think I was 12 years old in my first band, and we played in West Africa, Lebanon, we played in England," says Sam Makarim, Music Producer. He is known for playing in an area band but has expanded his musical repertoire and now runs a recording studio from his residence in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Whisky Sam Recording Studio began in 2005 and has slowly been expanding. "You hear a lot about people saying, ‘Keep your day time job’ so maybe that's what we did and I kept my daytime job," says Makarim. Trained as a classical guitarist Sam works for the State Flour Mill, but spends every spare moment his studio doing what he really loves. His love of music is what brought him here and kept him here. "I got it made here, I like the people the culture is nice, I love Grand Forks, it's a great town," says Makarim. The Studio attracts many local artists and bands. "He's got an awesome studio here, he's got all the equipment that you need to record, and you don't have to bring in any of your own stuff in if you don't want to," says Matt Simmons, Musician. Sam said he sees himself as a mentor to young artists and recognizes a lot of talented musicians in the area. "I'm hoping I put some music out there for somebody in this town here that's going to make it, that's going to bring Grand Forks to the map," says Makarim. Sam is proof that no matter what you do for a living you cannot deny your true calling. MTV hired Sam's recording Studio for sound they needed for their reality show “Real Life.” He plans to retire next year and work at his studio full-time.” - LISA CASAREZ

— UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA CHANNEL 3 TV

We'd like to thank Mtv's MADE Survivalist exec. Producer Zachary Behr for letting us do the Voice Over for one of their episodes featuring their Grand Forks talent Molly Sandro. Thanks also to kenny's music for referring us to Mtv,especially Tom . It was a great experience to work with the crew from Mtv especially Brian Leitten ,Caty daly,Dave Marcus. Molly was great doing the voice over for the video.” - sam

— Whiskysam Recording Studio

Your song RIDE ALL NIGHT(SEXY 1), were forwarded to Mega Trax for listing # S061026AC!”

— TAXI

Congratulations BIG DOGZ got forwarded to MY MUSIC SOURCE”

— TAXI

Hello WhiskySam, My name is Doug Reed and I am the executive director of A&R for Illumina Records and Promotions. I just came across your profile. I’m listening to “Road to Hell” right now, and I wanted to let you know about our “Launch Campaign”. I think you would be a great fit for it. Illumina is a Boston based full service marketing and publicity firm. We specialize in creating national PR campaigns for local and regional artists. Throughout this campaign, Illumina will NEVER ask for YOUR money or any rights to YOUR songs. Please reply to this email or, at your earliest convenience, call Illumina at (978) 922-5015 and ask for me, so I can go over the details of the project with you. If you leave a message, be sure to give your name and number, your bands name, which state you are based in, and say that you are looking to speak with Doug about Launch. Illumina’s Launch Campaign is a 90–Day project designed to put your music directly into the hands of hundreds of thousands of music fans. Launch will also provide your career with an immediate and easy way to generate the publicity and exposure essential in taking your music career to the next level. Launch will provide you with the following benefits: YOUR ACT will receive 50 CD’s featuring YOUR MUSIC to market to your fans YOUR MUSIC will be delivered to 1800 music business insiders like Labels, Local Music Directors, College DJ’s, Music Writers and Editors, Talent Buyers…and much more YOUR MUSIC will be marketed in both your Local Area as well as across the Nation! YOU will appear on the COVER of a music magazine. YOUR act will have the opportunity to appear in a CD release event featuring YOU as the headliner. YOUR ACT will appear in a music guide that is marketed to hundreds of thousands of Music Fans Nationwide. YOU will have the opportunity to make a difference with your Music by taking part in the GROUND CONTROL drunk driving prevention campaign. Over 2200 acts and over 12,000 artists have benefited from our campaigns in 48 states. Availability is limited on this project, so I encourage you to call me ASAP at 978-922-5015. I look forward to speaking with you! Thank you, Doug Reed A & R Executive Director Illumina Records (978) 922 5015 DReed@illuminarecords.com” - DOUG

— ILLUMINA RECORDS

Its been a while since we updated the news on the band members. Since then we lost Steve Hauge ( Bass)back in the early 90's due to a snow cat accident down at round lake.Steve was my first bass player from East Grand forks when I first came to the USA,we formed the band ODESSA. Jeff AAsen ( Steel Guitar)died IN THE 2000'S.Jeff played steel gtr with me in the band BLACKWALL HITCH in the 80's. Then Jim Beiswenger (Bass)died in the early 2000 "s.Jimbo gave the crowd more than music,he made them laugh and he never took himself seriously,he was the life of the party. then Phil martin (Bass0 died a couple of years ago.Phil was the founder of the band BLACKWALL HITCH. Then Max Lemke (bass) from Thief River Falls died this year after a courageous battle w/cancer .Max has a young son Sam Lemke,he is a phoenomenonal musician.he plays drums and guitars. Also this year 2010 we lost Steve Traube fondly known as (SKULL).Skull was the founder of the KAY JAM .he got all sorts of musicians together at the PARROT'S KAY on Tuesday nites and jammed with everyone.Skull was a very kind man he was preceded by the death of his mother whiom he really cared for the last few years.” - WHISKYSAM

— Death News

Dear Sami, Congratulations! The following song was forwarded to Dispatch listing # D070514IN APACHE The company is Boo Riley Productions / Marvelous Media”

— TAXI

Congratulations Sam Makarim your song SALLITTO has bee sent to Q MUSIC COLLECTIVE.”

— TAXI

Your song GUITAR SAM were forwarded to Noteborn Music for listing # S070112MR!”

— TAXI

our cd's VAGABOND & UNCENSORED are available at Best Buy”

— BEST BUY stores