Samuel Cagle Tritico

Long-time musician and mentor to other musicians around the country and the heart and soul of the songwriting community in the Space Coast, Samuel Cagle Tritico died on November 26, 2025, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, leaving a legacy of love and friendship. Sam resided in Merritt Island, Florida for the last 22 years. Sam was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on June 11, 1955.

Sam was a musician from the age of three when he picked up a plastic guitar to play along with Bubba's Cookie Shack on his sister's radio. When he was a young child, Sam got to sit with B.B. King on the stage in New Orleans. After seeing the "Beatles" on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, Sam was hooked! At age 16, Sam left Barbe High School to tour the country with The Brooks Christian Singers. He went to Nashville where he worked at the Spaghetti Factory, getting fired for spilling a platter of spaghetti on a birthday girl's white dress, while trying to make his mark in the music world.

Throughout his life, Sam played guitar and bass in bands all over the country including The Brooks Singers, Good Grief, Malachi, The Rangers, Sam and Tim Duo, Acme Rock n Roll, Sam and Everette Duo, and most recently The Delgado Band. Sam loved playing with "Delgado" and talked about it the week he died, describing it as a band with no weak links, everyone being a topnotch musician.

Sam composed and arranged songs for musicians in Macon, Georgia, Nashville, Tennessee, and the Space Coast, and encouraged them to sing and display their own talents. Sam started the Space Coast Chapter of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and Sam hosted the Writer's Night at Nolan's Irish Pub in Cocoa Beach for the past 17 years, giving musicians a forum to share their original songs. Sam loved encouraging, helping, and jamming with other musicians or spontaneously picking up a guitar and playing with anyone who was near and would listen. Sam always had one or more guitars with him. He used the Nashville Number System as a studio musician, playing backup guitar and bass for many famous musicians. Then Sam taught the Nashville Number System to anybody who would let him.

Sam was interested in music stores from the time he was a teenager in Lake Charles, and later managed Bill Hardin's Music in Macon, Georgia. Sam owned three music stores in Nashville, Tennessee (Sam's Music), and owned Island Music in Merritt Island, Florida. Everywhere he worked, Sam was a generous mentor, promoter, and supporter of local musicians. As a good friend said, "Sam heard the music in everyone."

People would come into his store to get Sam's advice or help with their instruments or songs even if they weren't buying anything. Sam had his own recording studio at Island Music, guiding and producing countless albums for budding and experienced musicians. Sam was recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for his extensive career in the music industry and was featured in an oral history interview in 2025.

While Sam attended the East Coast Christian Center, Sam's faith extended beyond the church building. Sam went on several mission trips to India and Africa. Sam was a Christian in the truest sense of the word – he loved people, was non-judgmental, and gave his time and wisdom to everyone he encountered, especially other musicians.

Sam was hard-working, highly intelligent, kind, easy-going, and fun to be around. Sam possessed an unparalleled intensity when solving electronic, computer, and equipment problems, working on projects, making lists, or drawing diagrams and maps. Sam was a Renaissance man, having excellent abilities in diverse areas, including race car driving at the Nashville Motor Speedway, drawing, creating logos and posters, playing a fierce game of Scrabble, rigging rope fences, inventing equipment, and challenging unsupported beliefs.

Sam attended Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, and Trevecca Nazarene University, and continued his education through his life. He traveled extensively including a two-month trip to Europe with his son, Chris, staying in hostels and carrying and playing his travel guitar everywhere.

Sam's parents, Gladys Cagle Tritico and Frank M. Tritico, Sr. predeceased him. Sam is survived by his loving son, Chris Tritico (Lisa) of Blountville, Tennessee, and grandchildren, Leah and Charlie. Sam doted on them and was so proud to be a "Sampa." Sam is also survived by his long-time beloved significant other, Anna Delgado, who made him so happy over the last few years. He has five siblings who survived him: Mike Tritico of Longville, Louisiana, Mary Jane Tritico Craver of New Orleans, Louisiana, Patrick Tritico (Kathy) of Welches, Oregon, Lila Tritico Hogan (Tom) of Hammond, Louisiana, and Frank Tritico (Melinda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sam has eleven nieces and nephews: Al and Matt Tritico; Jeffrey Craver; Hans Tritico and Lauren Calbreath; Liz, Jane, Rachel, and David Hogan; Frank Michael and Amelia Tritico, and ten great nieces and nephews. Sam is also survived by his former wife, Joni Johnston Brice, with whom he continued a deep friendship.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for mid-January in Merritt Island, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Sam to the Space Coast Songwriter Festival which occurs each Spring in Cocoa Beach, Florida, c/o Lila Tritico Hogan, P.O. Box 1274, Hammond, LA 70404; or contact Dave Freeman, [ dave@davefreemanlive.com ]( mailto:dave@davefreemanlive.com ) for more information.

Sam Tritico brought people together through his love of music and people, his laughter and sense of humor, quick wit, and willingness to give to others. He loved life and people and was an example for us all. As Sam said in his own words when he and Everette Stephens co-wrote "Moments Spent with You":

And as the cool of the early morning ushered in his last good-bye
He vanished in the hazy dawn before disbelieving eyes
And they heard:
Fill your hearts full of compassion
Seek the jewel in every soul
Share a word of gentle kindness
Treat your family like they're gold
Don't waste your sweet time thinking
About the right thing you should do
And make the brightest spot in all their days
The moments spent with you
Make the brightest spot in all their days
The moments spent with you.