Musician Sam Riddle builds a following at Green Valley Ranch, Texas Station

Sam Riddle was once a lounge singer, playing a grand piano in his three-piece suit. But that wasn't him.

"They had me in a three-piece suit looking like 'Ocean's 11,' " Riddle said, laughing. "People never knew how much of a redneck I was."

A self-professed country boy, Riddle ditched the suit, trading it in for a pair of jeans and cowboy boots - a little more his style.

Now, Riddle plays at 10 p.m. Saturdays at Ovation inside Green Valley Ranch Resort, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, and 9 p.m. Fridays at South Padre inside Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Admission is free but limited to adults 21 or older.

"Expect the most fun you'll ever have," Riddle said. "It is a place to let loose."

Despite his music background - his father was a touring musician - Riddle saw only one choice for his future career, which was playing basketball. But his family and friends realized his talent in music and urged him to pursue it.

"I had been banging on the piano since I could crawl," Riddle said. "I guess I didn't really pick it. It chose me."

Growing up in Montana, Riddle started making a living by playing music around town. His father encouraged him to go further professionally.

"And the next thing I knew, I was playing six or seven nights a week," Riddle said.

Fresh out of college, Riddle decided to come to Las Vegas and try his luck at performing.

"My first gig was the Hilton," Riddle said.

From there, Riddle traveled from lounge to lounge playing at venues such as the Riviera, Bellagio and Caesars Palace. The crowds would request everything from Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel to Elton John and Ray Charles.

Riddle, happy for the chance to play, wanted more.

"I was driving one day, and it hit me," Riddle said. "It was time to do what I knew best. I am just a country boy."

Riddle worked on original songs and self-produced an album, "Chip Off the Ol' Block."

While working on his music, Riddle began to market himself around town. He wanted to gather a local following.

"And I knew you couldn't do that on the Strip ," Riddle said.

Instead, Riddle reached out to local casinos and arranged a meeting with Station Casinos.

"I worked hard at getting an audition," Riddle said. "I knew if I could get one, I'd be in."

After finding out he would be auditioning to play at Texas Station, Riddle threw a band together and began practicing his best pieces.

Riddle said he was hired on the spot.

"It is rare to find a performer whom you could envision one day on the Red Rock Amphitheatre stage with the right record deal and promotion," said Judy Alberti, vice president of entertainment at Station Casinos. "Sam is simply that guy."

Riddle has played at Texas Station since February, but he wanted to find a way to market himself across town.

Alberti said Riddle has had great success growing his fan base at Texas Station.

"We felt that Sam had gathered enough of a fan base to warrant a play on the other side of the city without diminishing the base he had built at Texas Station," she said. "After just two weeks at Green Valley Ranch, we have doubled his attendance in Ovation."

Riddle said Ovation is a dream come true.

"Pretty much playing Ovation is making it if you're a local musician," Riddle said. "I played at Hank's (Fine Steaks) a few times inside Green Valley Ranch and would always think, 'I need to get into that showroom.' "

Riddle started at Ovation this month.

If he is not on stage singing, Riddle said he will be in the crowd line dancing with the audience.

Playing at Station Casinos is just the start for Riddle, who said he is in the process of signing with a record label.

"I hope to have a single out by next year," he said.

For more information, visit samriddlemusic.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.