Norman Baker & The Backroads

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. Norman was 13 the first time he performed on stage with fellow Backroads band mate Michael Muir. They sang and played Beatles and CCR while sitting in with the band their dads were in together. Twenty years later their harmonies and guitar work continue to weave seamlessly through timeless original rootsy compositions. Muir's Clapton and Allman tinged guitar approach meshed with Baker's Doc Watson meets Neil Young influences prove to be a great combo as the band continues tacking on the miles around the Western US. www.normanbaker.com