Life & Work with Ami Baker of Gloucester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ami Baker.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember. My mom had told me that even when I was a baby, she would notice how I was humming and singing along to the grocery store music, recognizing and matching the melodies. As a young child, I would always sing and make little songs. My mom started me on piano lessons around the age of 9, and when I was 12 my grandmother gave me my first guitar, so I also had some guitar lessons. Around that time, I started writing down all my songs. I used the pages of my notebook like a diary and wrote down all my emotions and feelings as I grew up. Writing songs has shaped who I am as a person. Using songwriting and music as a healthy outlet for life’s struggles has helped me tremendously throughout some dark times. Today, I get the privilege to share my music with the world. I get to perform my songs for people who may be hurting or who maybe feel alone in life. That’s why I love songwriting and getting to do what I do. If I can help one person feel better or comfort just one person who feels unheard or unknown, then I’ve done my job. I feel like God wants me to do that- making music that makes people know how loved and seen they are.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I’ve been through a great deal in my life: an intense decade-long depression, suicidal desires and close calls of attempted suicide, a traumatic pregnancy and postpartum experience, betrayal by friends and loved ones, and many serious health issues (most recently, that have hospitalized me for 6 weeks on end). Yet through it, all God has sustained me. And the therapy of songwriting has truly helped me get through the darkest moments of my life. Most of the time, my songs reflect exactly what I’m going through. I just released a song called “Rock Bottom,” and I wrote it in November 2021 when I thought my health was the worst it could be, but I was wrong. It was just released on the 29th of July, and surprisingly enough, I had been in the hospital for an entire month at that point due to the reason behind the song. Listening to the song, I relate to its meaning now more than ever. I have many more songs about my health that are yet to be released and have been so therapeutic to write; I think the more songwriters write about the things they’ve been through, the better. Because how else are we supposed to be a light in this dark world, and how else are we supposed to help people know they aren’t alone?

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a 27-year-old singer-songwriter. I play guitar and piano, love all genres of music, and have written in all sorts of different musical genres. I just released two brand new songs, “Rock Bottom,” which would technically fall under the pop/techno genre, and “Nashville,” a feisty bluegrass/country song. One of my recently released songs, “Cheap Champagne,” is a sappy country love song. However, another one of my songs, “Friends,” taps into an angsty rock vibe. It’s clear- I don’t like being put in a musical box. I write what I feel; a genre doesn’t define my music. I wouldn’t say I’m “proud” of anything I’ve accomplished. Over the years, I’ve been able to sing and play my songs at many songwriting contests. I won the first round of the nationwide Country Showdown competition in 2014. I have several songs in rotation on local radio stations, WMBG 93.5FM, The Burg, and Gloucester’s WXGM 99.1FM. I get the privilege to help lead worship at my church, and I usually perform at the nonprofit Jenna Bash in Barhamsville every August. Still, all that being said, it has all just been a gift and a dream come true to have the opportunity to do what I love and share my songs with the world. My heart for people who feel alone, unheard, or not good enough sets me apart from others. I feel like God has designed me to care for people like that since I also used to feel that way. I’m an emotional writer and care a lot about being a light in the darkness. I don’t care too much for recognition or attention. I want a platform to be able to share my love for Jesus and my love for all the people who are hurting in this world. If my songs can bring people comfort and entertainment while I get to have fun doing what I enjoy the most, that would be the best thing ever.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about Nashville is the city’s history. So many different musical artists from the past have blossomed in Nashville, and they’ve all made extremely successful careers and accomplished great fame. Dreams have come true there. It’s known as a “music city,” and the nostalgia and overall feel of the city are intoxicating. It makes you feel like there’s almost magic in the air.

What I like least about Nashville is that it’s unfortunately not the same as it used to be for aspiring artists. Many years ago, a musician could sit on the street corner playing guitar and singing and be discovered. But nowadays, you have to be on a six-month waiting list to play in a coffee shop and hope and pray that someone discovers you; chances are you won’t be. It’s been over-saturated. Nashville has become a lot more of a business rather than a hobby when it comes to music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/AmiBaker
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ami_baker_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmiBakerMusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiBaker1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW3LM2B5zekR1OzyPV-MIsA