“BEING able to say that this is now my full-time job is the most incredible thing in the world.”

That was the sentiment of Winsford’s singer-songwriter Sam Lyon as she told the Guardian about living out her dream of being a full-time musician.

Sam is a mainstay of the Winsford music scene, with a live gig at the Red Lion every Sunday.

The 21-year-old made the decision to go full-time as a music artist last year last year and says she is loving every minute of it.

“I’m so happy and so grateful to be doing what I love,” said Sam.

“It’s extremely hard work and it does get tough, just as any kind of self-employment does, but if I can make a living from this for the rest of my life, I’ll be the happiest girl in the world.

“Music is something I’ve loved from as early as I can remember. Of course I have huge aspirations, and would love to be playing all over the world, but right now I’m just seeing where it takes me.”

Sam started playing live shows at the age of 14 and was soon spotted by sound engineer John Delf, who had experience with working with Kylie Minogue and Lily Allen.

He invited her to record her debut album with him and since then, her music has continued to wow listeners around the country. She is now looking forward to recording her third EP in 2017.

Sam gets likened to many popular female artists, such as Karen Carpenter, Eva Cassidy and Taylor Swift, but she insists that artists from Winsford and the surrounding areas are that ones that she takes inspiration from.

“My main influences for my music actually come from local artists,” Sam added.

“I love hearing the things they write about, and how they write them.

“I find a lot of chart music to all be very similar and very commercial nowadays, but going to see upcoming artists and hearing the variations in style and ways of writing makes me want to incorporate it into my craft and develop my own style and abilities so that I’m not writing the same things with the same chords all the time.”

Kicking off the year with gigs at the AJ Bell Stadium, home to Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks, and at Caffé Nero in Heathrow Airport, the young starlet has a packed calendar for the next few months.

She will performing in Liverpool at ACC Arena on February 11, and Lennon’s Bar on February 13, as well as shows in Preston and Crewe.

But you can always catch Sam at the Red Lion in Winsford on Sunday evenings from 5pm to 6pm.

“I love Winsford’s music scene,” she explained.

“Almost every pub and every bar likes to feature live music, and it’s providing so many wonderful opportunities for upcoming artists, and encouraging younger people to take up music too.

“There’s a lovely sense of community and family amongst the musicians and they’re all always willing to help each other where they can.”

Go to @SamLyonMusic on Facebook for more.