Industry Veteran Sam Cerami Passes

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Sam Cerami

Salvatore “Sam” Cerami, a radio promotion veteran who helped propel decades of hits, has passed away. He was 89.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Cerami’s passion for music began at a young age. His mother recognized his talent as a singer, and facilitated his formal training from a teacher who had been an opera singer in Italy. Eventually, singing at his teacher’s studio would lead to him meeting his wife and duet partner, Beverly Salatino.

With a desire to stay in music, Cerami took a job at Coral Records in their record distribution center. His knack for sales soon became apparent, and while traveling to sell records, he also stopped by radio stations to secure airplay. His efforts were so successful that Coral’s sister company, Decca Records, brought him on as a regional promoter—launching a remarkable seven-decade career in the music business.

As a Promoter, Regional Manager and then National Sales & Promotion Manager, Cerami took some of the most popular songs to No. 1 on the charts. His career moved from pop, rock and R&B to classical, country and even comedy. After notching his first No. 1 as a promoter with “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley, Cerami had hits with Buddy Holly, Moody Blues, Ides of March, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdink, Johnny Mathis, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Newton John, Tanya Tucker, Glen Campbell, the Gatlins, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Tammy Wynette, Lee Greenwood, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Steve Martin and many more.

Cerami’s expertise was recognized by the industry when he was named Billboard’s Promotion Man of the Year for 1978 and received Gavin’s National Promotion Director of the Year in 1991.

Cerami was preceded in death by his parents Salvatore Cerami and Virginia (Catanzaro) Cerami, his brother Joseph Cerami, his aunt and uncle Pearl (Catanzaro) and Anthony Cerami and his sister-in-law Lenora Cerami. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly (Cerami) Herbert; his sisters-in-law, Anne (Pauly) Cerami and Alana Salatino; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A Celebration of Life event and dinner will be held Wed., Dec. 18th. Details and an RSVP form can be found on samcerami.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Tunnels to Towers or your local animal shelter, as these were Cerami’s favorite charitable organizations.

LB Cantrell
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