{{short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1988)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{About|the country singer|the drag queen|Ada Vox}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Adam Sanders | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = May 25, 1988 | birth_place = Lake City, Florida | instrument = | genre = Country | occupation = Singer-songwriter | other names = | label = | years_active = 2009–present | website = http://www.adamsandersmusic.com }}
'''Adam Sanders''' (born May 25, 1988) is an American singer and songwriter. In 2025, he won the first season of the music competition series The Road.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gawley |first=Paige |date=2025-12-22 |title=EXCLUSIVE: 'The Road' Winner Reacts to Their Victory, Talks Taking Home the Show's Massive Prize |url=https://americansongwriter.com/exclusive-the-road-winner-reacts-to-their-victory-talks-taking-home-the-shows-massive-prize/ |access-date=2026-01-09 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sink |first=Lauryn |date=2025-12-22 |title=Adam Sanders Wins The First Season Of ‘The Road’ |url=https://musicrow.com/2025/12/adam-sanders-wins-the-first-season-of-the-road/ |access-date=2026-01-09 |website=MusicRow.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Sanders has released 18 singles, five EPs, two full-length albums, and one live album as an independent artist. He has over 200 million total streams and charted at No. 33 on Billboard's Country Albums chart with his self-titled, debut EP. Sanders is a co-writer of the number one hits: Ain't Worth the Whiskey (for Cole Swindell) and Hell of a Night (for Dustin Lynch).<ref name="RollingStone_Thunder" /><ref name="MusicRowLiveAlbum" /><ref name="AmericanSongriter2021">{{Cite web|last=Crone|first=Madeline|date=2021-05-21|title=12 Years in the Making, Songwriter Adam Sanders Drops Debut LP 'What If I'm Right'|url=https://americansongwriter.com/12-years-in-the-making-songwriter-adam-sanders-drops-debut-lp-what-if-im-right/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=American Songwriter|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="AmericanSongriter2020" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Iahn |first=Buddy |date=2025-12-22 |title=Adam Sanders crowned winner of CBS' 'The Road' |url=https://themusicuniverse.com/adam-sanders-crowned-winner-of-cbs-the-road/ |access-date=2026-01-09 |website=The Music Universe |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Early life == Adam Sanders grew up in Lake City, Florida, where he was raised on hunting and fishing. He began singing when he was three years old. His uncle, steel guitar and dobro player Scotty Sanders, encouraged him to write songs. His father taught him three guitar chords at age ten and helped him write his first song at age twelve. He continued to write songs and play in local fairs, talent shows, and town festivals throughout his high school years.<ref name="MusicRowRoundHill">{{Cite web|last=Nicholson|first=Jessica|date=2020-06-22|title=Singer-Songwriter Adam Sanders Inks Co-Publishing Deal With Round Hill Music Nashville|url=https://musicrow.com/2020/06/singer-songwriter-adam-sanders-inks-co-publishing-deal-with-round-hill-music-nashville/|access-date=2021-11-01|website=MusicRow.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="MainstreetSpotlight">{{Cite web|last=Bowman|first=Bethany|date=2020-06-14|title=In the spotlight with Adam Sanders|url=https://www.mainstreet-nashville.com/opinion/in-the-spotlight-with-adam-sanders/article_c77fa26e-ae71-11ea-b9cb-cb614c8259b0.html|access-date=2021-11-01|website=Main Street Nashville|language=en}}</ref>
In 2009, at age twenty-one, he moved to Nashville. At first, he worked construction with his father. In 2011, he signed a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog Music. Within six months, Luke Bryan cut Sanders's song, "Out Like That". Sanders's friend and one of the first people that he met when moved to Nashville, Cole Swindell, played the song for Bryan. He liked it and chose it for his 2013 album, ''Crash My Party''.<ref name="holler">{{Cite web|last=Reuter|first=Annie|title=Introducing: Adam Sanders|url=https://holler.country/feature/introducing-adam-sanders|access-date=2021-11-02|website=holler.country|language=en}}</ref>
Swindell later recorded "Ain't Worth the Whiskey", a song that Swindell, Sanders, and Josh Martin wrote. The songwriters joked that the song belonged to the first from the group to get a record deal.<ref name="TheShotGunSeat">{{Cite web|last=Bosch|first=Christina|date=2017-02-02|title=Interview: Adam Sanders Chats Songwriting Roots & Touring with Cam|url=https://theshotgunseat.com/interview-adam-sanders/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=The Shotgun Seat|language=en-US}}</ref> "Ain't Worth the Whiskey" became Sanders's first number one as a songwriter and Swindell's third consecutive number one as an artist.<ref name="RoughstockSwindell">{{Cite web|last=Conaway|first=Alanna|date=2015-03-23|title=Cole Swindell Scores Third Consecutive No. 1 Hit|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2015/03/33711-cole-swindell-scores-third-consecutive-1-hit|access-date=2021-11-02|website=RoughStock}}</ref> By 2015, Dustin Lynch had also made a number one hit of a Sanders co-write, "Hell of a Night".<ref name="MusicRow_Lynch">{{Cite web|last=Parker|first=Eric|date=2015-10-28|title=No. 1 Party: Dustin Lynch's "Hell Of A Night"|url=https://musicrow.com/2015/10/no-1-party-dustin-lynchs-hell-of-a-night/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=MusicRow.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Music career == Sanders began his artist journey by testing the market with singles.<ref name="CelebSecretsCountry_WhatIfImRight">{{Cite web|last=Goldstein|first=Tiffany|date=2021-05-24|title=Adam Sanders Is Ready To Put His Mark On Music City with New Album 'What If I'm Right' (Listen)|url=https://celebsecretscountry.com/2021/05/24/adam-sanders-is-ready-to-put-his-mark-on-music-city-with-new-album-what-if-im-right-listen/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=Celeb Secrets Country|language=en}}</ref> His first single, "Nothin’ To Do But Drink", premiered on SiriusXM's The Highway in June 2014.<ref name="TheVogue">{{Cite web|title=Adam Sanders – The Vogue|url=https://thevogue.com/artists/adam-sanders-2/|access-date=2021-10-25|language=en}}</ref> "Somewhere That You Don’t Go", followed on the channel and saw success by being named a "Highway Find".<ref name="ClevelandCountryMagazine" /> The video for his third single, "Thunder" drew attention from Rolling Stone, who called it "emotionally-charged, ominous" and "intense". Sanders toured extensively in 2015 with Cole Swindell.<ref name="RollingStone_Thunder">{{Cite magazine|last=Betts|first=Stephen L.|date=2016-05-06|title=Watch Adam Sanders' Intense 'Thunder' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/watch-adam-sanders-intense-thunder-video-90228/|access-date=2021-10-25|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref>
Sanders continued to release singles in 2016. The video for "About To" drew from horror film inspiration and spent time in rotation on CMT.<ref name="CMT_AboutTo">{{Cite web|last=Stephens|first=Samantha|date=2016-11-10|title=Brand New Videos From CMT's Artist Discovery|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1773453/brand-new-videos-from-cmts-artist-discovery/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112183353/http://www.cmt.com/news/1773453/brand-new-videos-from-cmts-artist-discovery/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2016|access-date=2021-10-25|website=CMT News}}</ref><ref name="CountryNote_AboutTo">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2016-10-23|title=Adam Sanders Premieres Horror Film Inspired Video On CMT|url=https://www.thecountrynote.com/in-the-news/adam-sanders-premieres-horror-film-inspired-video-on-cmt/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=The Country Note|language=en-US}}</ref> The song and video received critical acclaim from CMT, Taste of Country, and The Boot.<ref name="BroadwayWorld_MeaningToCall">{{Cite web|last=Latimer|first=Ashlee|date=2016-11-19|title=Adams Sanders Premieres New Song I'VE BEEN MEANING TO CALL|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Adams-Sanders-Premieres-New-Song-IVE-BEEN-MEANING-TO-CALL-20161119|access-date=2021-10-25|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}}</ref> The single "I've Been Meaning To Call" was inspired by his relationship with his mom.<ref name="CmChatLive">{{Cite web|last=Bolt|first=Tiera|date=2016-12-02|title=Adam Sanders Transcends Generations With New Single, 'I've Been Meaning to Call'|url=http://cmchatlive.com/adam-sanders-ive-been-meaning-to-call/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=Country Music Chat & Sway|language=en-US}}</ref> He toured with Cam on her Burning House Tour.<ref name="ClevelandCountryMagazine">{{Cite web|last=Kriak|first=Charlie|date=2016-10-26|title=Adam Sanders to open on Cam's Burning House Tour – Cleveland Country Magazine|url=http://clevelandcountrymagazine.com/adam-sanders-to-open-on-cams-burning-house-tour/|access-date=2021-10-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
Sanders released two singles, "Thankful For" and "Over Did It", ahead of his May 2018 self-titled debut EP.<ref name="MusicMayhemMagazine">{{Cite web|last=Mayhem|first=Boot Kickin'|date=2018-03-30|title=Adam Sanders Releases Second Single "Over Did It" from forthcoming Self Titled EP|url=https://musicmayhemmagazine.com/adam-sanders-releases-second-single-over-did-it-from-forthcoming-self-titled-ep/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=Music Mayhem Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> The EP charted at No. 33 on ''Billboard''’s Country Albums.<ref name="AmericanSongriter2020">{{Cite web|last=Churilla|first=Ken|date=2020-06-03|title=After Plenty of Songwriting Success, Adam Sanders Ready For Singer Status|url=https://americansongwriter.com/adam-sanders-make-em-wanna-change-song/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=American Songwriter|language=en-US}}</ref> The video for "Over Did It" rotated on CMT music.<ref name="CMT_OverDidIt">{{Cite web|title=Adam Sanders - "Over Did It" - Video Clips from CMT|url=http://www.cmt.com/video-clips/3agqfy/over-did-it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418090334/http://www.cmt.com/video-clips/3agqfy/over-did-it|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 18, 2021|access-date=2021-10-26|website=CMT}}</ref>
In February 2020, Sanders released a feel good song, called "Ruled The World", which Billboard called an "infectious tune". The song was a collaboration on multiple levels. It was written by Sanders, Hunter Phelps, and Chris LaCorte. Singer-songwriters Hunter Phelps, Ray Fulcher, Cash Campbell, Faren Rachels, Josh Mirenda, Mitch Rossell, and Drew Parker join Sanders in providing vocals for the song. Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Tippin, and Shenandoah’s Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire joined for the video.<ref name="Billboard_RuledTheWord">{{Cite magazine|last=Reuter|first=Annie|date=2020-02-21|title=Adam Sanders Enlists Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Tippin & More For Feel-Good 'Ruled the World' Video: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/adam-sanders-ruled-world-video-8551580/|access-date=2021-10-26|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref>
Sanders showcases his talents at singing the songs that he wrote in his January 2021 album, ''Adam Sanders (Live)''. The album includes Sanders's version of the number one hits that he wrote: Cole Swindell's, Ain't Worth the Whiskey and Dustin Lynch's, Hell of a Night. The album is Sanders's way of bringing live music to his fans that couldn't experience live shows during the pandemic.<ref name="MusicRowLiveAlbum">{{Cite web|last=Hollabaugh|first=Lorie|date=2021-01-22|title=Adam Sanders Celebrates Milestones With New Live Album|url=https://musicrow.com/2021/01/adam-sanders-celebrates-milestones-with-new-live-album/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=MusicRow.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
In May 2021, Sanders released ''What If I’m Right'', his first full-length studio album. ''What If I'm Right'' features the single, "Daddy, Jesus and Earnhardt". The song is a tribute to NASCAR legend, Dale Earnhardt. Sanders told People Magazine that he and his father were watching as Earnhardt crashed and that "losing him had a major impact for me". People wrote that the song "could go and make Sanders a country music superstar".<ref name="People_Earnhardt">{{Cite web|last=Despres|first=Tricia|date=2021-05-19|title=Adam Sanders Teams Up with Cole Swindell to Write a Tribute to NASCAR on 'Daddy, Jesus and Earnhardt'|url=https://people.com/country/adam-sanders-cole-swindell-daddy-jesus-earnhardt-premiere/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en}}</ref> The title track "What If I'm Right", caught Rolling Stone's attention, as they wrote that it's "a meaty production of big drums and bigger guitars, with an emphasis on how it’ll play on radio and for the seats at the back of the arena, delivered in a confident tenor".<ref name="RollingStone_WhatIfImRight">{{Cite magazine|last1=Bernstein|first1=Jonathan|last2=Freeman|first2=Jon|last3=Hudak|first3=Joseph|date=2021-04-26|title=RS Country Music Picks for the Week of April 26th|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/best-country-songs-week-felice-brothers-1160921/|access-date=2021-10-25|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref>
In December 2025, Sanders won the first season of CBS/Paramount+ music competition The Road, earning a $250,000 prize, a recording contract, and a performance slot at the Stagecoach Music Festival.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
==Discography== '''Studio albums''' * ''What If I'm Right'' (2021) * ''Right in the Middle of It'' (2024)
'''Extended plays''' * ''Adam Sanders'' (2018) * ''I Wanna Be Somebody'' (2024) * ''All Summer Long'' (2024) * ''90's Kid'' (2024) * ''Tell Somebody 'bout You'' (2024)
'''Live albums''' * ''Adam Sanders (Live)'' (2021)
'''Singles''' * ''Nothin' to Do but Drink'' (2014) * ''Somewhere That You Don’t Go'' (2015) * ''Thunder'' (2015) * ''About To'' (2016) * ''I've Been Meaning to Call'' (2016) * ''Sippin' on the Good Times'' (2017) * ''We Live It'' (2018) * ''Miss Me Memphis'' (2018) * ''Life I'm Livin''' (2019) * ''I Don't Just Sing About It'' (2019) * ''Damn Strait'' (2019) * ''Ruled The World'' (2020) * ''Make Em Wanna Change'' (2020) * ''Drink Drank Drunk'' (2020) * ''What If I'm Right'' (2021) * ''Cat In a Hat'' (2025) * ''Get It If You Did It'' (2025) * ''Bible in a House Fire'' (2025)
==Music videos== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! Year ! style="width:18em;"| Video ! Director |- | rowspan="3"| 2016 ! scope="row"| "Thunder"<ref name="RollingStone_Thunder" /> | Matt DeLisi |- ! scope="row"| "About To"<ref name="CMT_AboutTo" /> | Zach Daulton |- ! scope="row"| "I've Been Meaning To Call"<ref name="Newcountrysongs_IveBeenMeaningToCall">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Adam Sanders - I've Been Meaning To Call|url=http://new-country-songs.com/adam-sanders/ive-been-meaning-to-call|access-date=2021-10-27|website=New Country Songs|language=en|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027155955/http://new-country-songs.com/adam-sanders/ive-been-meaning-to-call|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |- | 2017 ! scope="row"| "Thankful For"<ref name="OneCountry_ThankfulFor">{{Cite web|last=Konicki|first=Lisa|date=2017-11-13|title=Exclusive Premiere: Adam Sanders Debuts Uplifting Video For "Thankful For"|url=https://news.onecountry.com/country-music/adam-sanders-thankful-for/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=One Country|language=en-US|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027154856/https://news.onecountry.com/country-music/adam-sanders-thankful-for/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |- | rowspan="2"| 2018 ! scope="row"| "Over Did It"<ref name="CMT_OverDidIt" /> | Michael Monaco |- ! scope="row"| "We Live It"{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} | |- | rowspan="3"| 2020 ! scope="row"| "Ruled The World"<ref name="Billboard_RuledTheWord" /> | |- ! scope="row"| "Make Em Wanna Change"<ref name="Popculture_MakeEmWannaChange">{{Cite web|last=Moghaddami|first=Victoria|date=2020-06-12|title=Country Singer Adam Sanders Reveals Story Behind New Single 'Make Em Wanna Change' (Exclusive)|url=https://popculture.com/country-music/news/adam-sanders-country-singer-story-new-single-make-em-wanna-change/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=Pop Culture|language=en}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row"| "Drink Drank Drunk"<ref name="Popculture_DrinkDrankDrunk">{{Cite web|last=Moghaddami|first=Victoria|date=2020-09-18|title=Country Music Singer Adam Sanders Releases Music Video to 'Drink Drank Drunk' (Exclusive)|url=https://popculture.com/country-music/news/country-music-singer-adam-sanders-releases-music-video-drink-drank-drunk/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=Pop Culture|language=en}}</ref> | |- | rowspan="3"| 2021 ! scope="row"| "What If I'm Right"<ref name="TheBoot_WhatIfImRight">{{Cite web|last=Stefano|first=Angela|date=2021-04-22|title=WATCH: Adam Sanders Reassures Himself in 'What If I'm Right' [Exclusive Premiere]|url=https://theboot.com/adam-sanders-what-if-im-right-single-music-video/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=The Boot|language=en}}</ref> | Austin Peckham |- ! scope="row"| "Do What We Do"<ref name="TasteOfCountry_DoWhatWeDo">{{Cite web|last=Dukes|first=Billy|date=2021-05-06|title=WATCH: Adam Sanders Spotlights Livestock Farmers in 'Do What We Do' Video|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/adam-sanders-do-what-we-do-music-video/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=Taste of Country|language=en}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row"| "Bible Versus"<ref name="Newcountrysongs_Bible Versus">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Adam Sanders - Bible Versus|url=https://newcountrysongs.com/adam-sanders/bible-versus/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=New Country Songs|language=en}}</ref> | |- | rowspan="2"| 2022 ! scope="row"| "All Summer Long"{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} | Alex Pescosta |- ! scope="row"| "Maybe We Should Just Sleep On It"{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} | |- | rowspan="2"| 2024 ! scope="row"| "Good Day to Fly"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=LISTEN: Adam Sanders Finds Peace Amid Loss in 'Good Day to Fly' |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/adam-sanders-good-day-to-fly/ |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=Taste of Country |language=en}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row"| "Do What You Do"{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} | |}
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.adamsandersmusic.com/|Adam Sanders's website}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanders, Adam}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:People from Lake City, Florida Category:Country musicians from Florida Category:Singer-songwriters from Florida