Culture and Arts

Sam Gallant is not only the namesake of popular bagel chain Sam’s Bagels, he is the Culture and Arts Reporter and Producer for WTMD.  He covers everything from openings to closings and the life that happens in between.

Sam has recently completed work on the Baltimore Icons series, chronicling the people, places and things that define Baltimore. 

Sam also files reports for National Public Radio, including his first radio career working as a reporter for KSKA in Anchorage, Alaska and producing the NPR syndicated Kojo Nnamdi Show for WAMU in Washington, DC.  Sam has won numerous awards for his production work at WAMU as well as his reporting for KSKA. Rounding out his radio experience, Sam worked for WYPR for ten years as an announcer. 

Aside from radio work, he has worked for the national non-profit LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) in Washington and has served on numerous non-profit boards in Baltimore, including the Creative Alliance.  Sam has also emceed and served as auctioneer for many events and organizations and is a true performer; his favorite job ever was giving ghost tours in Baltimore historical haunted hot spot, Fells Point. 

Loving the spotlight, he has acted in a number of local plays and films and can still be seen performing moonlighting on weekly television: playing with balls for the Maryland State Lottery as a drawing official on WBAL and MPT. 

Sam is a Virgo and enjoys quiet evenings by the fireplace with a cat, a glass of wine and a good book (or, more likely, Netflix since books put him to  sleep).  When not relaxing comfortably at home or working, Sam likes to adventure out into the world.  He is an experienced traveler and knows how to have fun, typically joined by daughter Maya and girlfriend Alethea. 

Tune in today and hear all of the fun stories Sam files for WTMD. 

Get in touch with him at sgallant@wtmd.org or at 410-245-4500.

Made in Maryland: Millstone Cider

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We here at WTMD do not condone or encourage the consumption of alcohol for anyone. However, if you choose to imbibe, this week’s Made in Maryland might just be good for you. A new Apple Cider and Mead manufacturer has converted an old mill in Monkton into a up and coming business, focusing on locally…

Made in Maryland: Nice Package Records

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Vinyl is making a strong comeback, with the dozen or so presses in this country working at capacity. There aren’t any record pressing facilities in Maryland, but there is a company that will hand cut individual records for your project. Nice Package Recording Company will mix and master your music and cut it into a…

Record Store Day

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Record Store Day has grown every year since its inception seven years ago. The idea and plans for Record Store Day were conceived right here in Baltimore. Listen to the story below to find out more. Record Store Day Story Find out details about local Record Store Day events here. Also, check out this great…

Made in Maryland: Domino Sugar

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Domino Sugar is more than just a huge red neon sign in the harbor of Baltimore. It is one of the largest sugar refineries in the world. Listen to the story below about the factory. Also, explore the photos above by Melissa Gerr. The sign itself is celebrating it’s 62nd birthday this month. MiM DOMINO…

Starving Artist Series: Get a Job!

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Going on the road and touring with your band six months out of a year is hard enough.  Keeping a day job back home is sometimes even harder. Listen to the story below to find out about a few local employers and employees that seem to get along just fine with working day jobs and…

Made in Maryland: Brubaker Instruments

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Kevin Brubaker has made it.  In more ways than one.  Brubaker Instruments makes high end solid body guitars and basses here in Maryland.  They also have an entry level line of basses being manufactured in China.  For this week’s Made in Maryland episode we visit the Owings Mills workshop of Brubaker Instruments. The shop moved…

Starving Artist Series: TAX TIME!

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April 15th is nearly here.  Do you know where your accountant is? Jonathan Mayo is a Baltimore CPA working hard for local artists and musicians, educating them on their special tax implications.  Victoria Vox is a full time performing songwriter based in Baltimore dealing with all of these issues. Listen to the story below  and…

Made in Maryland: Mary Sue Easter Eggs

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Mary Sue and it’s big pink bunny along 83, is synonymous with Easter here in Baltimore.  But the 65 year old Maryland company makes more than just Easter Eggs.  Chocolates, marshmallows and millions of pounds of Salt Water Taffy comes out of their West Baltimore production plant.  Take a tour of the factory by listening…

Starving Artist Series: Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

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Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts helps hundreds of Maryland artists and musicians each year.  They work on contracts, copyrights and other legal issues – pro bono. Muralist, artist and creator of the Baltimore Love Project, Michael Owen, has used their services.  He has had to work with MDVLA numerous times to protect his image….

Baltimore City Council Tackles Ticket Convenience Fees

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An antiquated anti-scalping law in Baltimore from 1948 is the basis for a federal lawsuit against Ticketmaster.  The lawsuit, brought by Baltimore resident Andre Bourgious, is still being considered in federal court in Baltimore while the Baltimore City Council considers updating the laws monetary cap on tickets to reflect inflation. The City Council has temporarily…