THE BALLAD OF SAM BASS
or
The The Life and Crimes of the Notorious Outlaw and Infamous Union Pacific and Texas Train Robber
When Sheriff Eagan comes face to face with Sam Bass on his death bed, he tells the Sheriff to recount his life’s story to set the record straight. The adventures he had, the crimes he committed, the friends he gained… and the ones he lost.
The Ballad of Sam Bass is a musical retelling of the real events of the notorious Union Pacific and Texas train robber. Conceived by Alex Poole and Madison Armstrong, this new musical celebrates the mythical cowboy outlaw of the American West. Creative staging, meaningful storytelling, an immense amount of research, and a score that spans decades of popular country, wester, and bluegrass music, come together to create a truly unique show about a man who has been labeled a villain in the history books, but is that the real story?
A staged reading of ACT 1 of The Ballad of Sam Bass was performed in July 2025 at the Richardson High School Auditorium in Richardson, Texas. A full staged reading is being planned for March 2026. Stay tuned for updates on this project through social media as we get closer to the performance date!