The Handsomest Man in America began life as an ambitious 13-song graduation project. In Sam's own words, lifted from the original liner notes:

"This project is the work of literally countless hours of writing, playing, recording, and ignoring the things in my life that matter most to me. I also consider it a first draft.

I went into this endeavor having no idea what it took to write a musical, except that I had written a handful of stand-alone songs that I was fond of and that I wanted to write a complete piece from scratch.

As I worked, I knew that if this piece were to ever reach the stage, there would need to be revisions — more music, alterations to what currently exists, perhaps some straight dialogue to compliment its currently sung-through nature. But I am tremendously proud of what I have accomplished with this piece, and consider it a great start to any future I may have as a writer and composer."