Sami Grisafe Band

Acoustic Performance-

I play a mix of covers and originals and cater the set to your preference. I love to interact with the audience at events, because it makes the experience more engaging and memorable. I believe it's important to play every show like it's a sold out show at The Greek, even if there are only 12 people in the room. Everyone gets a fully-committed performance when I get on stage.

Full Band Performance-

We primarily play original songs, but occasionally play covers. The full band show is HIGH ENERGY. Even the ballads have a gritty rock energy to them. If Bruno Mars and Bob Dylan wrote songs for Janis Joplin, that's basically what you are getting with a performance from my band. No auto-tune, no vocal processor, no tracks, just raw talented musicians performing like it's 1974 on Sunset Blvd.

Speaking Events/Talks-

I speak on several different subjects: Leadership, discipline, breaking barriers, trailblazing, resilience, and team work. Typically I use musical performances to highlight points made in the talk. This keeps the audience engaged, delivers the message in a different form, and energizes a room in a way only music can.

I draw on my experiences as the first woman in CA to play Quarterback in a Varsity Division I game, a 2013 WFA National Champion and League MVP, and two-time Gold Medalist for the Women's U.S. National Tackle Football Team. I also refer to my experience as an Award-Winning independent singer-songwriter, the parallels between sports and performing arts, and lessons that can be learned garnered from both.

I can always cater a speech/talk to your room. I can also craft a subject specifically for your event, provided I am given ample time to do so.

There’s nothing more rock’n’roll than breaking rules and Sami Grisafe has been doing that her entire life.

The talented singer-songwriter and all-star athlete for women’s football has managed to succeed in two of her life’s passions, music and sports. It’s been said she’s got the voice of Melissa Etheridge and the arm of Joe Montana…and if you’ve ever heard Sami Grisafe sing or watched her quarterback, you wouldmost likely agree.

Sami’s new single, “All-Un-American” is a patriotic anthem that begs the question about who we want to be as Americans. Inspired by the current presidential election and the tragic events that threaten to divide us, the lyrics promote the idea that we are “one nation, indivisible, where nobody shall be invisible.” The song is produced by Colin Wolfe (Michael Jackson, TLC, Madonna, NWA) and Evan Ryan.

Inspired by musicians like Janis Joplin, Dave Grohl, and the Counting Crows, Grisafe’s music has a folk-rock feel with provocative lyrics, often incorporating additional styles such as funk, blues and reggae. She earned six Grammy pre-nominations for her 2012 album ATLANTIS, and in 2013 received the Chicago Music Award for “Best Rock Entertainer.”

As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, Grisafe supports numerous LGBTQ organizations through her performances. She was named of the ‘10 Chicago Lesbians To Look Out For’ in 2012 by the L Stop and her football retirement was ranked #1 in the Windy City Times Top 10 Chicago LGBT Sports Moments of 2014. In 2014, she wrote and performed a song, “Brand New Fairy Tale,” in support of marriage equality for the March on Springfield at the state capitol in Illinois.

She went on to produce a studio version of the song and a music video, releasing it on the day of the historical Supreme Court ruling. The song features Eric Himan, a national touring, award-winning singer-songwriter, who spent spring of 2014 opening tours for Leon Russell and then Ani DiFranco. The song’s message is one that everyone can draw inspiration from: if you don’t see your dream or story represented, write your own fairy tale.

Grisafe gained national attention for her performance of the National Anthem prior to taking the field at the 2013 IFAF Women’s World Championship gold medal game. The Huffington Post called her performance “…one of the most inspiring versions of the Star-Spangled Banner we’ve ever heard.” The unforgettable rendition is featured in two documentaries and was performed at the request of Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn, for the marriage equality bill signing.

Sami Grisafe's backstory is incredible. In sports, Sami chartered new territory as the first female in California to play quarterback in a varsity, Division I football game; was the quarterback for the Chicago Force Football Team and Team USA, winning the World MVP award at the World Championship in 2013.

Sami was inducted into her High School Hall of Fame in 2014, one of the first and only female athletes to be inducted into a high school hall of fame for football. A documentary on her story is currently in development.

Currently, Sami lives in Los Angeles where she is the host and regular feature performer, as well as production and booking manager of SunSeshLA.

Sami is rehearsing with her band and preparing for the production of her next studio album.

Solo Performance - Microphone, Microphone Stand, PA/sound system, Direct Input (1/4") for instruments.

Full Band - 2 Microphones, 2 mic stands, PA/sound system, Direct Input (1/4") for instruments, space for drum kit, space for bass rig, space for electric guitar rig, 2 stage monitors (sound).

Talk/Speech - Microphone, Microphone Stand. Above requirements, depending if you would like the full band or solo performance laced though the talk.