Sam Schmidthuber, a country artist from Morgantown, won Modern Country Vocalist of the Year at the 2021 Josie Music Awards in Tennessee, writes Lisa Mitchell for the Daily Local News.

“It feels good to be recognized by such a well-respected award show,” said Schmidthuber.

The Josie Music Awards was established in 2015 as an all-genre award ceremony. It has become the largest award show focused on independent artists in the world. It received more than 38,000 submissions, less than three percent of which earn a nomination.

This 2021 accolade is not Schmidthuber’s first.

“I won a talent show for my vocals at the Pennsylvania Farm Show back in 2016, which I credit for giving me that extra push to jump-start my career,” he said. “I started writing my own songs and performing in Nashville, and here we are.”

He also believes that hard work and loving what he does has helped him achieve his music-industry goals.

Schmidthuber continues to perform locally. His next performance is on Oct. 16 at the Rivet Canteen & Assembly in Pottstown.

Read more about Sam Schmidthuber in the Daily Local News.