Sometimes I just find a sound that resonates within me. Through a random shuffling of a Spotify playlist for the music of Payton Matous, I came across the music of Sam Baker.

Baker, an American folk musician, based in Austin, Texas has a way with his words. This poet grew up in Itasca, Texas and even played high school football with A fellow Texas legend, the great Tommy Alverson.

After an accident on board a train in South America that left Sam Baker without the dexterity of his fingers he re taught himself to pick the guitar, “left handed.” Writing music and poetry helped him relearn words and memories that had been lost in the accident.

Sam Baker is a survivor and the kind of man who I aspire to be. A man who never gives up no matter how great the odds.

Baker’s song ditch off of his 2013 self released album, “Say Grace,” is a song about life. Just a regular Joe going through the struggles of adulting and just doing his best to keep it all together.

Some of Bakers work has been compared to fellow great story telling artists like Guy Clark, John Prine, and Townes Van Zandt.

Take a deep dive into Sam Bakers stories and you are sure to find something that resonates within you as well. Until then, keep streaming the music and buying the merch to support the music you love.

Pancho.