Dan Baird

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Dan Baird
Genres Americana, Alternative country, Country rock, Cowpunk, Roots rock, Southern rock
Years active 1980–present
Associated acts The Georgia Satellites
The Yayhoos
Dan Baird & Homemade Sin
Website http://danbairdandhomemadesin.com/
Members Dan Baird
Warner E. Hodges
Mauro Magellan
Keith Christopher

Daniel John "Dan" Baird (born 12 December 1953, San Diego, California) is an American singer-songwriter, musician and producer. He is best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist from the chart-topping 80s rock band The Georgia Satellites. Baird formed The Georgia Satellites in 1980 and left the band in 1990 to pursue a solo career.[1] He is often credited as a pioneer in Cowpunk and Alt-country music, which combines elements of Rock with Country, outlaw country and punk rock.

Baird tours and records with his band Homemade Sin, which features three ex-members of The Georgia Satellites, including bassist Keith Christopher and drummer Mauro Magellan. Homemade Sin also includes guitarist Warner E. Hodges, who tours and records with Jason & the Scorchers.

Homemade Sin performs a mixture of Baird's solo material in addition to the hits and fan favorites from his years with The Georgia Satellites. To achieve a similar classic tube amplifier sound with Homemade Sin, Baird relies heavily on a vintage setup very similar to what was used during his tenure with The Georgia Satellites. Creating confusion for some fans, there is a reformed version of The Georgia Satellites featuring original guitarist Rick Richards and bassist Rick Price, who joined the group to replace original bassist Keith Christopher, who left the band prior to their fame.

Personal life

Born and raised in San Diego, Baird moved to Atlanta, Georgia in his early teens. Besides the Georgia Satellites, he has worked on various musical projects and is a record producer. Baird owns numerous vintage guitars and amplifiers. His favorite guitar is an original Fender Esquire which belonged to Steve Marriott, who was the lead singer of English rock and roll bands Small Faces and Humble Pie. With The Georgia Satellites, Baird worked with producer Ian McLagan who was also a member of Small Faces. Contrary to popular belief, Baird is happily married and does not drink alcohol. During tours, Baird can often be found exercising in hotel gyms. According to Baird's blog on MySpace, he met Neil Young in a hotel gym locker room. The two discussed guitars and amplifiers and Young complimented Baird on his music.

Musical career

Baird released his first solo album, Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired, in October 1992. The CD was produced by Brendan O'Brian with Executive Producer Rick Rubin, who founded Def American Recordings. A contemporary review in Rolling Stone magazine praised its combination of foot-stomping redneck rock and slyly intelligent lyrics:

"This is how bluesed-up macho rock ought to be served: sizzling hot and extra lean, seasoned with a sneaky sense of humor. On his solo debut, Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired, the former Georgia Satellites frontman commands attention like a smart bar-stool bard. Dan Baird spins ribald white-trash tales to familiar Chuck Berry-derived boogie, yet the guitars emit a stinging immediacy. Retro it's not - really."

"I Love You Period",[2] a single from the album, charted on 10-10-92 and peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. "The One I Am" charted on 1-23-93 and peaked at #13 on Billboard's "Album Rock Tracks" chart.

In 2005, Baird began touring with his band, Homemade Sin. He has recorded with other artists including The Yayhoos and the Franklin, Tennessee rock musician, Will Hoge. Baird was one of the original members of Hoge's band before leaving to pursue individual ventures. Baird has also performed as a member of the country music band, Trent Summar & the New Row Mob. More recently, Baird re-joined Will Hoge on tour as the lead guitarist during a portion of his summer tour. Baird is working on new material with Homemade Sin and is on a world tour with the group.

Baird is also involved with the band The Bluefields, an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee composed of rock veterans Warner E. Hodges on lead guitar and vocals (Jason and the Scorchers), Dan Baird on bass, guitars and vocals and Joe Blanton on lead vocals and guitar (Royal Court of China).

Discography

With the Georgia Satellites
  • Keep the Faith EP (1985)
  • Georgia Satellites (1986)
  • Inspired By Jack Daniels: Live In Concert (1987)
  • Open All Night (1988)
  • In the Land of Salvation and Sin (1989)
  • Let It Rock: The Best of the Georgia Satellites (1993) [Compilation]
With the Yayhoos
  • Fear Not the Obvious (2001)
  • Put the Hammer Down (2006)
As a solo artist
  • Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired (1992)
  • Buffalo Nickel (1996)
  • Dan Baird and the Sofa Kings -- Redneck Savant (2001)
  • Out of Mothballs (2003)
  • Dan Baird and Homemade Sin (2008)
  • Fresh Out of Georgia Live Like a Satellite: Greatest Hits Live (2010)
With the Bluefields
  • Pure (2012)
With The Western Sizzlers
  • For Ol' Times Sake (2013)
Bootlegs & unofficial releases
  • Redneck Punk (2005)
  • Live at the Borderline London (2007)

References

  1. ↑ "Ex-Georgia Satellite Punctuates Retro-Rock With Humor". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 1993. Retrieved 3 July 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Dan Baird's Love Songs is good fun, period". Miami Herald. January 27, 1993. Retrieved 3 July 2013. 

External links

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