To mark Willie Dixon’s 110th birthday, retired music publicist and journalist Cary Baker offers a rare and personal tribute. From his early days as a Golden Gloves boxing champion to his pivotal role at Chess Records, Dixon’s songwriting and production helped elevate the careers of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Koko Taylor, and many others. Baker reflects on a remarkable friendship that began with a cold call in 1970 and grew into a decades-long connection with one of American music’s most influential figures.
Browsing: Cary Baker
“This book wrote itself,” says Cary Baker about ‘Down On The Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music.’ Reflecting on life’s transitions — from closing his PR firm to moving to the desert — he delves into the colorful, often untold stories of buskers, from icons like Elvis Costello to street performers like Grandpa Elliott.
He discusses his deep love for the written word, recounts a remarkable tale of Mick Jagger thanking Ramblin’ Jack Elliott for playing in a subway station during a school field trip, and more. It’s these serendipitous moments that make both Baker’s book and his career truly unique.
First book by music industry veteran Cary Baker traces development of blues, doo-wop, folk and even jazz and classical music on the streets. Features interviews with Lucinda Williams, Billy Bragg, Violent Femmes, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Mary Lou Lord, Peter Case, Poi Dog Pondering, Madeleine Peyroux, Old Crow Medicine Show, Mojo Nixon, Satan & Adam, and more, plus eyewitnesses of busking through two centuries.
An interview with Bob Koester, conducted by Cary Baker circa 1982!
An interview with Bob Koester, conducted by Cary Baker circa 1982!
“I met Willie on many occasions — the first of which is when I cold-called him out of the Chicago phone book and asked him to come to my high school radio station.” Cary Baker
With “Boundless Love” for John Prine, who died on this day two years ago.
“I think of people like Cary and me as artists of the spoken word. We’re plying the same depths as the artists we’re privileged to get to know. Our job is represent them as real people, not product.”
“I had a pretty good memory of this material, but when I actually heard it again I was delighted that it really is great. Sam was always strangely unconcerned about stardom, but he was a star anyway. When you play the record, you’ll see what I mean.” – Mitch Easter
“Bob could usually be found behind the counter. And he took hours over the years to answer my ceaseless barrage of questions — about blues artists, blues bars (which I was too young to enter legally), record labels, record distribution, record collecting.” – Cary Baker