Kim Baker

Kim Baker makes her musicianship and songwriting accessible to the masses with her melodic and acoustic guitar-rooted songs. Her voice and songwriting style have been compared to such greats as Chrissie Hynde (of the Pretenders) and Melissa Etheridge. "Rising Tide," Baker's latest release on Earthwater Records was recorded with seven-time Grammy nominated producer Cookie Marenco at the helm, and features the seamless blending of an eclectic array of songs best described as "thoughtful acoustic rock." The sound is a combination of honest and insightful lyrics delivered in a driving, folk-rock package. The album also features stellar performances by Kenny Aronoff (Melissa Etheridge, John Mellencamp) on drums, Myron Dove (Santana) on bass and Stef Burns (Huey Lewis and the News) on lead guitar. Baker planned two national tours in support of "Rising Tide," and has performed at premier venues throughout the Bay Area, including the Great American Music Hall, The Little Fox Theater and San Francisco's historic Fillmore Auditorium. Baker has been written up in numerous publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Mediaweek Magazine and the LA Times.Baker grew up in southern California and took interest in music at an early age. She learned to play the piano at age 8 and began playing guitar and writing songs in high school. By age 15, she had committed herself seriously to a future in music, and at age 18 departed for Mills College in Oakland, CA where she earned a degree in music. Within a year of her graduation, and after finishing an internship at Polygram Group Distribution, Baker founded Earthwater Records, and began to perform music professionally. Sean Lineweaver of WHFC Baltimore radio has been spinning Baker's music since 1998 and considers Baker well on her way to national recognition. He raves, "Kim Baker is one of Crossroads favorite new talents. Songs like 'Promised Land' and 'Encircled by Angels' are just proof of her outstanding talent as a songwriter."