Update: What I'm up to...

Lot's going on here in BakerLand...

In no particular order, here's what I've been up to in the last few week (months?):

I've been playing shows and house concerts with two amazing singer/songwriters: Christa Wells and Nicole Witt. We're doing a short tour through the midwest in early October (Chicago, Anderson, IN). We're also doing a few shows here in North Carolina (Charlotte, Hendersonville)- most notably we'll be opening for the Indigo Girls at the Carolina Hope Fest in a couple of weeks. Most of the dates are up on Nicole's MySpace site. Just look for the dates that reference the "Love Makes Music Tour w/ Christa Wells."

I was hired by the College at Southeastern in Wake Forest to be their Adjunct Instructor in Percussion for this Fall. I'm really excited (and a little nervous) about what all that means. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue to hone my teaching skills, and pass on the knowledge I've gained through the years.

Speaking of teaching, I'm continuing to offer private drum instruction out of my studio here in Durham. If you or anyone you know is need of drum lessons, I'd appreciate you sending them my way! This year, I'm offering lessons earlier in the day 9:00am to 12:00 noon, in addition to my regular teaching hours from 4:00 until 8:30 most days of the week.

I'm continuing to record quite a bit as well. In the past few weeks I've played on some wonderful sessions (seen here with Mike Garrigan producing Stephen Smith's latest release) and I've been playing on Justin DeYoung's debut recording, which he is self producing, along with the guys who are behind this amazing pedal. I'm always looking for more work, so if you have a project you'd like me to play on, get in touch with me via my contact form...

I've also started a collaborative band project, you can check out our tentative beginnings here: www.reverbnation.com/durjam. Our first gig was a benefit for the National MS Society at a local club and we helped raise over $1500. Not a bad start for a band, don't you think?

Oh, and let's see what else: I've been reading my two huge coffee table books about U2, and have been inspired by their story, history and ability to continue putting out compelling music in spite of the personal struggles, and craziness that goes with being artists on that level. I would really enjoy reading a book of interviews with their significant others, as I'm sure the fame and success has taken a toll them and it'd be interesting to hear how they've coped with it through the years. Plus, I'd love to read more about Paul McGuiness, some of his quotes are my favorites in those books. Oh, and here is a picture of me and my son with Rick Allen from Def Lepperd, I recently met him through my friend Mark, who is Def Lepperd's Tour Accountant. We were catching up over some coffee, and Rick came by to hang out for a bit, thus a photo op for me and my son!

I'm hoping to eventually redesign my site here. Thanks to some great tutorials over at Everything TypePad getting my site looking more like this awesome design by Able Parris doesn't seem as tricky as it once did.

And as far as new music goes, have your heard Susan Enan? I was given her new album today by a friend, and have really enjoyed listening to it. I would give my eye teeth to play with an artist like this... :-) Of course she has Ashwin Sood playing on her record, so my guess is he's got that gig all sewn up!

I know it appears I'm busy, but please don't let that keep you from contacting me to play on your project or your next show/ tour. I'd love to help you out however I can!

Until next time, cheers!

My Drumming On CD

Sixpence None the Richer: This Beautiful Mess
The second CD Sixpence recorded was my first with the band. We tracked the rhythm tracks in 4 days at Omni Sound studios in Nashville. Armand John Petri produced and many fans say that this is their favorite Sixpence album.
Sixpence None The Richer: Sixpence None The Richer
The Grammy nominated, RIAA Certified Platinum selling album that featured the breakout hit, "Kiss Me." Produced by Steve Taylor and wonderfully engineered and mixed by Russ Long, with additional mixing by Bob Clearmountain. The follow-up hit, "There She Goes" was also later added to this album.
Sixpence None the Richer: The Best of Sixpence None the Richer
Includes the hits "Kiss Me," "There She Goes," and "Breathe Your Name" and many other of the songs I played on and helped promote during my 7+ years with the band.
Sixpence None the Richer: Tickets for a Prayer Wheel
Out-takes and B-Sides from Sixpence's "This Beautiful Mess" CD. There were some extended jams, a live track, some moody percussion and even a re-mix done by friend and former roommate, Sal Salvador. Not only does this CD feature my drumming, and vocals(!), but I make my producing debut on this album with an angst-filled vibey take on an old Patsy Cline song.
Sixpence None the Richer: Mega 3 Collection
Includes Sixpence's first 3 CD's. Of these 3 CD's my drumming only appears on the 2nd and 3rd disc. The first CD featured the drumming of Chris Dodds, one of my favorite people and drummers.
Sixpence None the Richer: There She Goes
CD single of the 11th hour addition to Sixpence's self-titled album which helped solidify Sixpence as a legitmate "Breakthrough Artist" according to R&R magazine. The song went on to become a Top 10 Single with an appealing video (featuring "Saving Private Ryan" star, Adam Goldberg), by director and good friend of the band, Brandon Dickerson.
Sixpence None the Richer: Breathe Your Name / Northern Lights
CD single of the Top 20 hit, Breathe Your Name w/ non-album track Northern Lights, from Sixpence's Divine Discontent record. Both songs feature my drumming.
Sixpence None the Richer: Collage: A Portrait of Their Best
A compilation of the best tracks from the band's REX years. And yes, that's me in the corner with the beard and glasses.
Sixpence None the Richer: Kiss Me
Imported Single of the most played song from the year 2000. This song features my drumming and went to the top of the charts in over 10 countries (US, UK, Canada, Israel, Japan, etc...). I also appeared in all the videos and TV appearances that helped promote this song. Interesting side note: this song was chosen by Britain's Royal Family to be played for over 200 Million viewers during Prince Edward's 1999 wedding.
Sixpence None the Richer: I Can't Catch You
Import Single of a song from the band's self-titled album. This was one of the songs Bob Clearmountain mixed and it was honor to have him work his magic on my drum tracks!
...The Basics: Grow
I was really happy how this record turned out. An honest, well produced CD by a couple of North Carolina's (and Northern California's) best songwriters. I also took the photos that appear in the CD booklet.
[Various Artists]: City on a Hill: Collection
I played on the first City on a Hill CD as well as a track or two on the second CD.
[Various Artists]: Return Of The Grievous Angel: Tribute To Gram Parsons
I played drums with the Rolling Creek Dippers, aka: Buddy and Julie Miller, Victoria Williams, Mark Olsen, Jim Lauderdale.
[Various Artists]: Roaring Lambs
I played drums with Sixpence None the Richer, Emmylou Harris, Steve Taylor and percussion with Burlap to Cashmere on this CD.
[Various Artists]: Exodus
I played with Sixpence None the Richer, Michael W. Smith, and Kenny Meeks on this CD.
Kim Taylor: So Black, So Bright
I played drums on this CD that was produced by Jack Henderson. This is one of my favorite projects to have played on. Some of the tracks feature Linford and Karin from Over the Rhine as well.
Frankly Scarlet: Stories I've Heard
I played and recorded with this band back when I lived in Dallas. We even shot a video...with the Dallas skyline as our backdrop.
[Various Artists]: Making God Smile: An Artists' Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson
I played drums and percussion (timpani, chimes, beat box) on Jason Harrod's version of "In My Room" for this Brian Wilson tribute album.
Rebecca St. James: Transform
I played on a track produced by Matt Bronlewee, that featured the London Symphony Orchestra and some very "Bjork" sounding vocals by Rebecca. I think we did about 40 tracks of various percussion overdubs for this track too.
[Various Artists]: Never Say Dinosaur
My first time to work with producer Brent Bourgeois and one of my first times in the studio with Sixpence. I borrowed a whole bunch of percussion from Steve Hindalong and had a great time overdubbing frame drums, rattan shakers and the like. The track ended up sounding very Daniel Lanois-ish with some Peter Gabriel-esq type layers thrown in for good measure.
Phantasmic: Fluffy Vs. Phantasmic
"Rainy Day Assembly" appears on this record. This out-take from Sixpence's "This Beautiful Mess" session was used by Tess Wiley (aka, Phantasmic) and features shaker performed by percussion wiz Lalo Davila.
Honey: Lost on You
I played on two tracks from this record produced by Dan and Steve from Jars of Clay.
[various artists]: Here On Earth (2000 Film)
This Soundtrack album features two songs I did with Sixpence, one a cover of a Sam Phillips/ T-Bone Burnett song: "I Need Love" and the other, the opening track ("We Have Forgotten") from Sixpence's self-titled record.
[various artists]: Snow Day: Music From The Motion Picture
Sixpence's version of The La's tune, "There She Goes" is on this soundtrack album. And yes, I'm playing drums on that song...
[various artists]: Bounce: Music from and Inspired by the Miramax Motion Picture (2000 film)
Another song ("Love") I did with Sixpence from their self-titled album, appears on this soundtrack. Mark Nash and I played a drum duet of sorts to get the primal heavy-handed approach needed for this wonderful song.
[various artists]: Dick
One of my favorite tracks. Everytime I hear this song ("Dancing Queen"), I can't help but think of Alan Partridge.
Sixpence None the Richer: Divine Discontent
Even though I quit playing with the band in 2001, the bulk of this record was recorded in 2000, and so my playing is featured on more than half the tracks on this record. Produced by Paul Fox, beautifully engineered by Mark Chevalier and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.
Sixpence None the Richer: The Early Years
New Sixpence compilation from the REX years. Includes songs and b-sides from the early work I recorded with Sixpence - pre "Kiss Me" era.
Steve Hindalong, et.al: City on a Hill: Reflections on Our Spiritual Journey (Ccm Book)
Okay, this is a book. But I wrote the first essay that appears in the book and took all the photos that appear as well. You can actually read my essay by clicking this link and "looking inside the book." Fun, huh?
Various Artists: Pointfolio 1.0
A radio station compilation featuring in-studio and concert live cuts. Includes, Sixpence doing "Kiss Me"(with me on drums), and Fleming and John's "Ugly Girl", Dido, BareNaked Ladies, etc.
Plumb
Loops, fragments of songs and lots of percussion is what I remember from this session. Producer Dan Haseltine and Matt Bronlewee made this a fun and creative time in the studio. It was great to be a part of the debut album of such a phenomenal artist (am I gushing to much here?).
[various Artists] : Felicity: Senior Year (tv soundtrack)
Features "Melody of You" a beautiful song by Sixpence None the Richer that I played drums on and was featured on the series final episode (I think).

Comments

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Is this the redesign that is showing now, or is that yet to come? If this is it, I'm not sure I like. Not to be mean, but the colors are a touch bland, and the layout of the sidebars is a bit overwhelming.

Posted by: Samuel | Sunday, May 02, 2010 at 02:31 AM

Samuel,

What you see here - is the old design. The new design can be seen if you click any of the navigation buttons above, or if you go directly to www.dalebakerdrummer.com Thanks for your comments - I agree this old design seems a bit cluttered - let me know what you think of the new design!

Posted by: Dale Baker | Sunday, May 02, 2010 at 08:07 AM