Sam Baker (musician)

Sam Baker (born 1954) is an American folk musician based in Austin, Texas.[1] He writes sparse poetic lyrics that have gained him acclaim from other notable folk artists such as Gurf Morlix and Fred Eaglesmith.

This article is about the folk musician. For the hip hop musician, see Samiyam.

Sam Baker
Background information
Born1954
Itasca, Texas
GenresAmericana
Folk
Country
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2004 –
Websitesambakermusic.com

Biography

Sam Baker was born in 1954 in Itasca, Texas. He attended Itasca High School, where he played varsity football with fellow musician Tommy Alverson.[2] In 1986, Baker was traveling by train to Machu Picchu in Peru when a bomb placed on a luggage rack above his head by the Shining Path guerrilla group exploded, killing seven other passengers including the three people who had been sitting with him.[1][3][4] Baker was left with numerous injuries, including brain damage, a cut artery, and blown-in eardrums.[5] His injuries required 17 reconstructive surgeries.[6] He has a constant case of tinnitus and the fingers of his left hand were left gnarled. He did retain enough dexterity to grasp a guitar pick and over time, re-taught himself to play his guitar left-handed.[6] In a radio interview in 2020, Baker said his brain injury affected his use of language and he struggled to remember nouns. Writing helped him relearn. At the same time he was influenced by the music of Lightning Hopkins and his writing became songwriting as he discovered melody.[7] Previous to the bombing, Baker had worked as a bank examiner and whitewater river guide.[3][8]

Music

Sam Baker's music has been compared to that of John Prine.[5] Baker's 2013 album, Say Grace, was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the top 10 country music albums of 2013.[9] In his review of Say Grace, Jim Fusilli wrote "In Mr. Baker's tales, the personal becomes universal through his keen-eyed writing, supported by well-chosen instrumentation and what might be called spoken-word melodies."[10]

Among Baker's influences for his songwriting are Ken Kesey, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, and Bob Dylan, and fellow Texans Lightnin' Hopkins, Guy Clark, and Townes Van Zandt.[11]

Painting

Sam Baker took up painting after he began songwriting.[11]

Discography
Year Title Record Label
2019 Horses and Stars (Live) Self-release
2017 Land of Doubt Self-release
2013 Say Grace Self-release
2009 Cotton Music Road Records
2007 Pretty World Blue Lime Stone Records
2004 Mercy Self-release

References
  1. Leggett, Steve. "Sam Baker". AllMusic. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  2. "Tommy Alverson bio". Tommy Alverson. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  3. "Singer Sam Baker is a true survivor". Today. May 23, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  4. Freeman, Doug (November 16, 2007). "Terrible Beauty: The ballad of Sam Baker". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  5. Rosen, Steven (August 30, 2013). "Sam Baker's Remarkable New Album". HuffPost. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  6. McClelland, Eileen (February 10, 2006). "Surviving tragedy makes Sam Baker's songs resonate". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  7. "Leader's American Pie with Sam Baker". February 3, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  8. Christgau, Robert (August 27, 2013). "Sam Baker's 'Say Grace' Is at Once Beautiful And Broken". NPR. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  9. Hermes, Will (December 10, 2013). "Sam Baker, 'Say Grace'". Rolling Stone. 10 Best Country Albums of 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  10. Fusilli, Jim. Sam Baker: Bard of the Workaday World. The Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2013.
  11. Bogerd, Hal (August 18, 2013). "'say grace': A Conversation With Sam Baker". No Depression. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
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