About
Traveling, creating, and sharing original live music are a few essential ingredients for the enrichment of humanity. Norman Baker and his band play homage to this fact by introducing new and old songs to as many communities as possible. Their new album utilizes undertones of pedal steel, mandolin, banjo, upright bass, clarinet, and of course an onslaught of acoustic and electric guitars telling stories of loss, loss prevention, camping, driving without cell phones, childlike innocence, home towns, and walking till your shoes wear through.
Baker's respect of family values, roots, and tradition is evident throughout his music. His debut release, "The Art of Not Knowing," features his mother on fiddle, father on keys, uncle on drums, himself on many other instruments, in addition to several other Seattle musical stalwarts. The artwork for his newest release, "Present Day," features a series of photos from a 1970 house concert of his pops performing, his mom in attendance, and cops busting the party.
When not touring with an acoustic guitar and 2 full length albums, baker can be found helping other artists further realize their art by helping them record and perform music. Baker has been on over 30 albums and performs 200+ shows a year. His band Norman Baker & The Backroads double as backing band and session band for other acts. He’s touring the Western US throughout 2020 in support of releasing new music and has shared the stage with The Head and the Heart, shooter jennings, Father John Misty, Third World, Don Carlos, Robin Eubanks, Brandi Carlisle, and Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons. He’s also worked on recording projects with Doug Lancio (John Hiatt, Patti Griffin), Mike Coykendall (M Ward, She & Him, Sallie Ford, Bright Eyes), and Brad Pemberton (Ryan adams, willie nelson, Minnie driver, steve earle).
Norman Baker - Guitar, Vocals, Bass
Country Dave Harmonson - Pedal Steel
Jake Evans - Drums
Dan Schmidt - Bass
Band
PRESS
“Norman Baker’s latest single, “Tell Me About Your Life,” is as crisp and clean as the Pacific Northwest mountain air and just in time to roll down the car window for a summertime road trip; country-rock heaven.” - Iaan Hughes, KBCS 91.3FM Seattle
“Norman Baker sings his own songs and marches to his own beat - encapsulating the essence of American music and following in the footsteps of the greats that came before him.” - Mason P. Winfree, WUAG 103.1FM - Greensboro, NC
“Entranced the crowd (at Rialto Bozeman) with master acoustic guitar work and vocals to match.” Michael Somerby - Explore Big Sky Magazine
“Sounds great” Tom Gillam, KNBT Radio - New Braunfels, TX
“...a voice like a golden castle!” Rich Russel - The Lonesome Heroes, Austin TX
“great guitar player, entertainer and has a really smooth voice that reminds me a lot of Willie Nelson!" - Brad Tate, KKRV Country 104.7FM
“…with his folk poetry that leads the listener through mystical journeys complete with mythical creatures. His vocals have a dry quality that is well accented by his experimental melodies.”
James Gannon – Seattle Show Gal
“…great singer.”
Greg Vandy, KEXP 90.3FM’s The Roadhouse
“…Norman Baker is a tough guy to pin down. He’s got his solo thing, which is all finger-picked acoustic and hushed vocals, and quite nice. I’m always glad to hear what he’s been up to…”
Levi Fuller – Ball of Wax
the Stranger article Party Crasher; From Nigeria with Love by Paul Constant