I watched from a distance for seven years as Kelli Baker said yes to a dream.
Her music trajectory stalled early but picked up later in life as she honed her skills for a new moment. Hard work and grit mixed with the poetry of I can.
Seeing Kelli and her band at the Colony in Woodstock, NY, on July 7th was a night of connection, music, and showmanship. Her vocal range is a phenomenal force floating between blues, soulful rock, folk, and Americana. She can belt, explore, and be slow and sultry, as evident when she sang her original Six Feet Under. Incredibly, even her cover of Aretha Franklin’s Dr. Feelgood (Love is A Serious Business) sounds fresh. I loved the seamless flow of Gone, Georgia Gone leading to Folsom Prison, a testament to smart musical styling.
Her roadworthy band, PJ LaMariana on bass and Adam Wooten on drums was joined by featured artist Noé Shocha, a virtuoso on guitar and harmonica. Noé can make the guitar strings fly seamlessly, plucking, sliding, and picking impressively, creating an expansive sound.
Kelli Baker’s star power is undeniable, but her collaborative spirit sets her apart. She radiates warmth and cheerfulness towards her fellow musicians and the audience. There was quite the buzz when the show ended, as people gathered to meet Kelli and Noé, eager to share how moved and blown away they were by the set.
This year, I shut down negative roadblocks and plowed through to launch a Yes campaign. I attribute this impetus to my muse, Kelli Baker.
