................

Hey There,

I wanted to send a quick update to thank everyone for a
great 2008! I played more shows than I ever expected, and the support was just
amazing. One thing that was not so amazing was how bad I was at updating my
websites. I can either make 4,396 excuses to explain why I didn’t keep you
updated with blogs and news statements, or I can just get better in 2009. I
choose to get better! Speaking of getting better, I had surgery in early
January and I am recovering just fine. Thanks to those of you who sent messages,
and for all of your thoughts and prayers. I have been writing like crazy, and I
am planning on releasing an album in 2009. I am excited to share my new songs
with you, so I will be posting videos of me playing the new songs as well as
lyrics (I promise). New shows are being booked as we speak. Keep checking www.sambakeronline.com for my
schedule and for updates. Take care!

Sam

This is the first of the weekly blog entries for the summer. The response to the first 20 q's blog was great, so here is another go at it.

20Q with Sam Baker

 

NOTE: All questions are courtesy of my brother's Advanced Composition students. And they were punctuated brilliantly.

 

1. Did you fall off the face of the earth?

No, and I know how terrible I have been about keeping you updated with everything. Trying to be a student/musician is harder than I thought it would be, but I am making a promise to do weekly updates this summer when I have nothing to do but golf, make music, and do weekly updates.

 

2. What movie title best describes your life?

By title, I Am Sam. By plot, Blades of Glory.

 

3. If you were going to die tomorrow morning, what would you have for dinner tonight?

Sushi, but not cheap stuff, I would eat it IN Japan.

 

4. If you could be any fruit, what would you be?

This is a weird question, but if you're asking what my favorite fruit is, it's watermelon.

 

5. Imagine you're a Sam Baker fan. What song do you wish he would cover that he hasn't yet?

Actually, I have been working on that Sara Bareilles tune, "Love Song." It's catchy and I am probably ruining it, but I will give it my best shot. Also, this gives me an idea (and when I say it gives me an idea, I mean I know artists who do this and I am stealing their idea). I will take requests from you all, and video myself doing covers of your favorite songs to post on YouTube and MySpace. Send ideas to sam@sambakeronline.com!

 

6. What is your worst habit?

I bet you were hoping for something juicy here, but as a future music teacher, I have to say that I have awful posture at the piano. Sorry to disappoint.

 

7. Favorite boardgame?

I love Bubble Brain and Beyond Balderdash.

 

8. What do you eat for breakfast?

Nothing. Usually a 20 oz. Red Eye will do the trick.

 

9. If you could do a duet with any artist, who would you choose?

Probably Phil Vassar or Josh Turner. I have lots of favorites, but those are some awesome vocalists that I admire.

 

10. Would you rather have spaghetti for hair or nails for fingers?

With spaghetti for hair, I could still play the piano and guitar, so that is my choice. It's all about the music.

 

11. What musical artist do you love that would surprise people?

I know way too many of the lyrics to Sean Kingston's songs. Also, I jam out to Taylor Swift on a regular basis.

 

12. What's your all-time greatest Halloween costume?

Last year I went as Flava Flav. It was put together at the last minute, so it wasn't great except for the huge clock I wore around my neck.

 

13. If you were auditioning for American Idol, what song would you sing?

Something by the Beatles. "Let it Be" and "Imagine" are the first two that came to mind.

 

14. If you could write a fortune to be placed into a fortune cookie, what would it say?

"You are going to buy 100 Sam Baker albums. Visit www.sambakeronline.com."

 

15. Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Most likely Brad Pitt. Second choice would be McLovin from Superbad.

 

16. What's your favorite dessert?

I love chocolate cake. LOVE IT!

 

17. Would you rather eat your own toenail (once) or McDonald's for every meal for the rest of you life?

Toenail, for sure. McDonald's is only good every three months.

 

18. Have you written any songs since you released Do Good Then Walk Away?

You bet. I am working hard to get enough good stuff to record soon. I will post demos this summer on www.myspace.com/sambaker.  I have actually heard rumors that I have a CD coming out again soon, and I need to make sure that we all understand that isn't true. It is going to happen in '08, it is not happening now.

 

19. If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Perfect pitch and an indestructible voice. I would love to sing seven nights a week without getting tired.

 

20. Who are your favorite sports teams?

Bucks, Brewers, Packers. I might live in Illinois, but I know where I came from.

There you have it. Keep in touch, and send song requests to sam@sambakeronline.com

Sam Baker - Do Good Then Walk Away
HMG (12/4/07)
Pop / Country / Folk
Official MySpace

I became familiar with the handsome Sam Baker completely by accident. Like most random gifts of music, I discovered Sam via his MySpace page after seeing a link on some Web developer's Web site. Once I heard the pop-friendly title track of his debut album, "Do Good Then Walk Away", I knew I wanted to check out Baker's entire body of work.

"Do Good Then Walk Away" is my favorite track of the album; it stays with you as the day goes on. This is a song that could be remixed and not lose its power. Do Good Then Walk Away consists of eleven songs, all written by Baker himself, and I was surprised by the successful application of the folk/pop flavor. What is absolutely clear with Sam's talent is that he's got the ability to craft good songs, with the honesty in his voice to back it up.

"Good Love Song" has a simple message to it, and is just as strong as the aforementioned title track, showing that Baker's not just another one-trick pony. Then, when he goes with a more pop-country sound, as in "Runnin' With the Boys", it's apparent that he would he certain success amid the Nashville music scene, and could be huge on country radio.

"Hindsight" is what it says it is, reflecting on what was and what is. This is another beautiful song that could appeal to country radio because Baker's voice is able to bridge the pop and folk/country genre and it completely picks up in tempo in mid-sound, then slows down again very dramatically, which I think would surprise audiences trying to label him by genre.

The fantastic "Ride Called Life" could have easily been the alternate title of the album, while Baker touches on romance and appreciation of a significant other in "Lazy About Love", and looking at the other side of love with piano ballad "I'd Rather Be Walk". There is also a very sweet song written about his niece Brooke, called "Brooke's Song", as it's nice to see an artist not afraid of the sentimental and the ideal. The final track, "Waiting for You", a song about unconditional love, is the perfect way to close out the album and one of the strongest songs in the set.

I would love to see Sam Baker picked up by a major record label, as he has a solid sound that can be cross-marketed and an appeal that would make him marketable to pop and country audiences alike. He's another artist that would be fantastic to see live, and I hope he continues recording and performing.


Rating:

Hi All,

I just did my first magazine photo shoot and interview. It is gonna be very cool, and I am excited! It's not Rolling Stone, but it's still cool. The magazine is called [TRUE]. It's a magazine for Real, Authentic, and Genuine women. I know, I know, they are featuring ONE MALE in every issue. I just so happen to be that ONE MALE for the premiere issue. You can find it in news stands, or perhaps my dorm room, October 20th. Make sure and check it out, and I will keep you updated!

Sam

This article was in the Lake Geneva Regional Newspaper recently. It's pretty cool, so check it out!

Walworth — Big Foot graduate and Walworth native, Sam Baker, recently released his first album, "Do Good Then Walk Away."

The 21-year-old's album explores the good and bad sides of relationships and love, and his experiences growing up with three older brothers.

"I try to write songs that people could relate to," Sam said. "A lot of CDs and albums are not doing that."

The title track, "Do Good Then Walk Away," stems from a phrase his older brother, Alex, used to say.

"It stems from a quote, but is kind of a way of life," Sam said.

Alex, 26, said he doesn't remember where the quote originated from, but used it from time-to-time growing up, and printed off a copy and posted it in his locker at school.

"It's about someone who wants to do good things and not be recognized for it," Sam said. "It's not important to make yourself stand out."

Sam wrote several versions of the song, but was never satisfied with the results, until he decided to write the song while thinking of an individual he went to high school with.

Then the song came within fifteen minutes, he said. The identity of that individual is a secret that Sam said he has only revealed to four people.

"The second I put a person to the song, it came right away," Sam said.

Alex was a little surprised that Sam wrote a song about the quote, but said the four brothers were all very close.

"We all kind of influenced each other a little bit," Alex said. "There's parts of all of us in everything we do."

Although he enjoys all the song on his album, Sam said his favorite is "Hindsight," which became a therapeutic track to help him get through a difficult time in his life.

"I'd been going through a difficult time," Sam said. "I was able to get things off my chest. It was like a healing." 

While his favorite song to perform live is "Running with the boys," which he describes as a "playful" song on his myspace page.

Sam describes his music as a blend of country, pop and acoustic. 

Since an early age, music has been a part of Sam's life and that appreciation carried on throughout high school and college.

"My mother is very musical," Sam said. "She used to sing and play guitar."

He began taking piano lessons in the third-grade, and he has been playing music ever since.

On his myspace page, Sam writes that at 13-years-old he began covering Bob Dylan songs.

While a student at Big Foot, he was involved with "every possible performance group" until he graduated in 2004.

Now that Sam is in College, he is the student director of the vocal jazz group, and is also in concert choir.

As Sam got older, he began writing music, and playing guitar and harmonica.

Sam said his music is influenced by fellow-harmonica player Dylan, as well as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

Alex said he isn't surprised that his younger brother was able to release an album.

"When he was interested in something, he really went through with it," Alex said

Currently Sam is attending Elmhurst College near Chicago .

Before attending Elmhurst College , Sam went to Belmont University in Nashville to study music.

He is attending school to teach music education.

"There is lots of teaching in my blood," Sam said. "My mom, dad and one of my brothers are teachers."

Alex teaches English at Big Foot and his dad, Dick Baker, taught math at the high school.

Sam began recording the CD in August and finished it in March.

He is planning a CD release party May 4 at Beezle's in Walworth.

To purchase Sam's album "Do good then walk away," visit his Web site at www.sambakeronline.com.

By Robert Ireland

Don't forget, Sam Baker's 'Do Good Then Walk Away' Release Party, FRIDAY MAY 4, 2007
@
BEEZLE'S
545 Kenosha St, Walworth, WI
(262) 394-5037

8pm

20 Questions with Sam Baker

1. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, whom would you choose?

            The Holy Trinity: Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash

2. Whom do you admire?

My brothers. They're all really successful, and they all have great stories.

3. Did you really just use the word "whom" correctly in two consecutive questions?

            Bet your ass.

4. When was the first time you got paid to play music?

In high school. I sang and played by the campfire at the Abbey. It didn't pay much, but it paid.

5. What's your most embarrassing moment?

I always drink water when I perform, so I burp into the mic occasionally. I guess that's pretty embarrassing.

6. What's the most interesting place you've ever been?

            I loved Hawaii and New York. I can't really explain why.

7. What was it like having your dad and your brother teach at the school you went to?

            Every day was more embarrassing than the last.

8. Which Will Ferrell character are you most like?

            I'm Ron Burgundy?

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 minutes?

            Class. Grrr.

10. What was the first song you ever wrote?

            "Runnin' With the Boys"

11. Do you listen to your own CD?

Rarely. During the recording process, I heard every song about a billion times, so I listen to critically at this point. I still like the guitar solo on "Hindsight" and the piano solo on "Wild Rose."

12. If you were on a deserted island and could only have one album with you, what would it be?

There are 4 albums that I can listen to beginning to end without skipping a song: John Mayer's Continuum, Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Elton John's Greatest Hits, and Sgt. Pepper's.

13. What's in your CD player right now?

My "Most Played" list on my iPod: Brett Dennen, John Mayer, Andy Davis, Dave Barnes, Gabe Dixon, Willie Nelson, Elton John, and Bob Dylan.

14. Give me an idea for a great mix CD.

            1. "Laugh So You Don't Cry," by Andy Davis

            2. "Jackson," by Dave Barnes

            3. "All Will Be Well," by Gabe Dixon

            4. "Stop This Train," by John Mayer

            5. "Blessed," by Brett Dennen

            6. "Picture to Burn," by Taylor Swift

            7. "Over My Head," by The Fray

            8. "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," by John Mayer

            9. "Always On My Mind," by Willie Nelson

            10. "Goodnight Saigon," by Billy Joel

            11. "Folsom Prison Blues," by Johnny Cash

            12. "With God On Our Side," by Bob Dylan

            13. "War For Me," by Ryan Horne

            14. "Love Sucks," by Nathan Angelo

            15. "I'm Yours,"  by Jason Mraz

16. What is your favorite article of clothing?

I have a pair of red flip-flops that I love, but they're hard to match to other stuff. Second place goes to my Willie Nelson t-shirt that says, "Have a Willie Nice Day!"

17. Favorite bottled water?

            Deja Blue

18. Favorite cheese?

            Never met a cheese I didn't like.

19. Favorite frozen pizza?

Home Run Inn. I was introduced while I was recording this record, and my life hasn't been the same.

20. How do you prepare for a show?

I like to sit in my Aqua Jet 9000 and enjoy my usual meal of steak, waffles, French fries, and, of course, scotch.

Sam is now on FACEBOOK...Add him as a friend and join his group. www.facebook.com

And, buy  'Do Good Then Walk Away'. www.sambakeronline.com

Hey,
The CD's are here. Place orders at www.sambakeronline.com by clicking on the 'store' option on the menu banner. Or email me at sam@sambakeronline.com to place an order. Thanks so much for your support, and I can't wait to hear your response to the album.
Thanks
Sam

Okay, good stuff coming your way. First off, I posted new live video from my 3/29 show at UWP. That is what a live show looks and sounds like! You will find more at www.youtube.com/sambakermusic when I get more to share.

Next, I got 100 pre release copies of 'Do Good' to sell at the UWP show, and have some left. If you want to be one of the few to own one of these, message or email me ASAP. The rest should be here very soon, so save your pennies.

I put up some new shows, and I have some great stuff in the works. Keep your eyes and ears open!

I am looking to do some House Shows during the summer. If you have interest in the details about this, call me, email me, message me, etc. Book me for your bbq, bday, family reunion, party, or pretty much anything!

Now, check out this cool new site, www.virb.com/sambaker, this is the new MySpace. I still like myspace, but this is going to take over. It has lots of the same features(but cooler), so I will update them both and I hope you can keep up with all that is happening on my end.

Okay, this is long enough. Keep in touch, and come to a show soon!

Sam