Musician. Born Kenneth Clayton Baker, he was one of the most influential fiddler players in blue grass music best known for his tenure with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. After serving in the US Navy, he began his professional career performing with artist Don Gibson's country band in 1953. In 1957, he was invited by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Impressed by the smoothness and clarity of his fiddle style, Monroe asked Baker to join his group and they recorded their first hit "Panhandle Country" in December 1957. For the next 25 years with Blue Grass Boys, he toured and recorded an astounding 237 cuts such as "Scotland", "Big Sandy River", "Baker's Breakdown" and "Shenandoah Breakdown". After leaving the Blue Grass Boys, he performed with other blue grass artists to include Josh Graves, Tom T. Hall, Mac Wiseman, Mark O'Connor and Carroll Best. In the 1990s, he toured with other fiddlers as "Masters of the Folk Violin", for the National Council for the Traditional Arts. As a composer, he has over 80 published tunes to credit such as "Farmyard Swing", "Frost On The Pumpkin", "High Country", "Washington County" and "Windy City Rag". In 1993, he received the National Heritage Award and was inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1999. He died from complications of a stroke at age 85.
Musician. Born Kenneth Clayton Baker, he was one of the most influential fiddler players in blue grass music best known for his tenure with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. After serving in the US Navy, he began his professional career performing with artist Don Gibson's country band in 1953. In 1957, he was invited by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Impressed by the smoothness and clarity of his fiddle style, Monroe asked Baker to join his group and they recorded their first hit "Panhandle Country" in December 1957. For the next 25 years with Blue Grass Boys, he toured and recorded an astounding 237 cuts such as "Scotland", "Big Sandy River", "Baker's Breakdown" and "Shenandoah Breakdown". After leaving the Blue Grass Boys, he performed with other blue grass artists to include Josh Graves, Tom T. Hall, Mac Wiseman, Mark O'Connor and Carroll Best. In the 1990s, he toured with other fiddlers as "Masters of the Folk Violin", for the National Council for the Traditional Arts. As a composer, he has over 80 published tunes to credit such as "Farmyard Swing", "Frost On The Pumpkin", "High Country", "Washington County" and "Windy City Rag". In 1993, he received the National Heritage Award and was inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1999. He died from complications of a stroke at age 85.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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