"Murder On Music Row" with Sammy Sadler Airs on A&E
Monday September 20, 2004
A & E Television’s COLD CASE FILES will air the compelling investigative story of the "Murder On Music Row," on Tuesday, September 21 at 8 p.m. Central.
The program, titled "The Hitmakers," features an interview with, and performance by, the only survivor of the attack - Texas recording artist, Sammy Sadler. Sadler sings the title track from his popular debut CD, HARD ON A HEART, on the show.
In 1989, Sammy Sadler was a 21-year-old with a record deal and a song on the charts. As he and friend Kevin Hughes walked to their car, they were attacked by a masked man wearing dark clothing. The man fatally wounded Hughes and left Sadler with life-threatening injuries that he would eventually overcome. Nearly fifteen years would pass before that masked gunman would be identified, tried, convicted and sentenced for the crimes. Richard D’Antonio had attacked the two young men to prevent Hughes from going public with details of an elaborate chart-fixing scheme at the now-defunct trade magazine, CashBox.
Sadler has been back in the spotlight since this year’s release of his HARD ON A HEART. He has enjoyed two Top 15 Texas Music Chart Singles ("I Know A Place" and "Hard On A Heart,") plus Music Row Chart and Roots Country Chart action, and has toured extensively this summer. He also made an August appearance at the 30th Annual North American Victim Assistance Conference in Sacramento, California. Sadler is the national spokesperson for the organization.
The program, titled "The Hitmakers," features an interview with, and performance by, the only survivor of the attack - Texas recording artist, Sammy Sadler. Sadler sings the title track from his popular debut CD, HARD ON A HEART, on the show.
In 1989, Sammy Sadler was a 21-year-old with a record deal and a song on the charts. As he and friend Kevin Hughes walked to their car, they were attacked by a masked man wearing dark clothing. The man fatally wounded Hughes and left Sadler with life-threatening injuries that he would eventually overcome. Nearly fifteen years would pass before that masked gunman would be identified, tried, convicted and sentenced for the crimes. Richard D’Antonio had attacked the two young men to prevent Hughes from going public with details of an elaborate chart-fixing scheme at the now-defunct trade magazine, CashBox.
Sadler has been back in the spotlight since this year’s release of his HARD ON A HEART. He has enjoyed two Top 15 Texas Music Chart Singles ("I Know A Place" and "Hard On A Heart,") plus Music Row Chart and Roots Country Chart action, and has toured extensively this summer. He also made an August appearance at the 30th Annual North American Victim Assistance Conference in Sacramento, California. Sadler is the national spokesperson for the organization.
Comments
How can I view or buy a copy of this program? There is a girl in a recording studio on Music Row in Nashville, TN that is recording a song my sister wrote. I have seen this episode twice, but my sister never has and I would love for her to.
Thank you for any information you can give
Loretta Yates
Loretta,
I’ve never seen it for sale but it was part of the Cold Case Series The Hitmakers/Favor for a Friend Episode #73.
You might want to try looking on the A&E network or TV guide for a copy.