Debut Album ‘Gone Too Soon’ Released

Today, January 27, 2023, the long-waited debut album, “Gone Too Soon” by Chicago’s own, Shannon Baker and The Burners was released.

Shannon Baker

The band is led by 24-year-old, singer/songwriter, Shannon Baker. Baker started her musical career back in the 2nd grade talent show, where she had her first musical performance with a cover of Hannah Montana’s “Best of Both Worlds”. Shortly after that, she began writing her own songs. Her vocal influences are Amy Winehouse and Brandi Carlile, while her writing style influences are Kurt Vile, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt and Courtney Barnett.

Baker is no stranger to the studio.  Prior to getting in the studio for the debut album with her own band, she recently helped fellow south-side bands with background vocals on their albums. You can hear her singing backgrounds on several songs for Railway Gamblers’ most recent album, Not Often Your Here. The songs include: “Be with Me Tonight”, “Come Back Inside”, “I Wanted More” and “Run Through the City”.  Also, Pat Egan & The Heavy Hearts released, Stardust where she performs a beautiful duet with Pat Egan on the self-titled song, “Stardust”.  If you look hard enough, you may even be able to track down a solo album released in 2015 while she was a sophomore in high school.  She recorded it at Groovemaster Studios, called People Pleaser (but don’t let her know that I told you about it).

Shannon Baker and the Burners

Baker self-labels her band’s music style as a “knee slappin, toe tappin, booty clappin type music” and I couldn’t agree more. She put together a super group of Chicago’s southside musical artists, as she hand picked various members of local bands. With Shannon Baker on lead vocals & guitar, the band includes: Dan Kane on guitar; Michael Fitzgerald on drums; Bobby Puetz on guitar; and Pat Corbett on bass guitar. Multitalented, Dan Kane, is also a member of Coyote Riot, Railway Gamblers, and Bluefish Fellows. Fitgerald, Puetz and Corbett are all members of Harlem Natural.

Baker first performed with a full band at the outdoor “Yard Party” Tranquility Salon backyard in Chicago’s Beverly Park area in July 2021. Other full band performances in 2021 and 2022 were Law Office Pub & Music Hall in Yorkville, IL, Reilly’s Daughter, Up In Smoke both 2021 and 2022, debut performance at COW (Country on Western), and a packed Hartes Saloon.

Shannon Baker and the Burners Album ‘Gone Too Soon’

Gone Too Soon is a compilation of 12 original tunes written by Baker. Containing songs written over a span of about six years, “Not What I Deserve” was the song waiting the longest to be heard by the worldas it was written in 2016.

In 2020, an abandoned church used by non-for-profit organization, Get Local Beverly, hosted live stream performances by local artists. When the streaming wasn’t being performed, local artists collaborated together. The collaboration and atmosphere of the organization was an inspiring time for Baker as she wrote at least 20 songs. Baker wrote the soulful “Junkyard Blues” in the “dusty musty stairwell” of the church. Hoping that some of the other songs from this time will be release, especially songs like “My Oasis” and “You Wanna Waste Time”. Unfortunately, “You Wanna Waste Time” almost made this album as a “Baker’s Dozen” thirteenth song, but it didn’t quite fit with the other songs.

Over the Summer of 2022, Shannon Baker and the Burners recorded the album at Kingsize Sound Labs. They worked with renowned engineer-producer, Mike Hagler. Hagler has worked with artists like Wilco, Calexico and My Morning Jacket in the past. The first single, “Infinite”, released on Apple Music on 1/20 You can find the album on all streaming platforms after 1/27!

Special should out to talented, Annabel Oliver, for the amazing album art.

SHANNON BAKER AND THE BURNERS – GONE TOO SOON Tracklisting

01. The Giver
02. Not the Way It Goes
03. A Woman’s Ride
04. Infinite
05. Losing You
06. Junkyard Blues
07. Not What I Deserve
08. Lose Myself
09. The Boy Who Cried Wolf
10. Devil’s Deal
11. Seeing Gold
12. Better Horizons

Album Release Party

2023 has just started and Shannon Baker, as well as Shannon Baker and The Burners have been busy around the Chicago area. Baker was seen performing solo shows throughout the city, including Hartes Saloon and Grant’s Wonderburger on 1/28. With two full band performances already in January, the band was seen performing with Phil Yates and the Affiliates at Golden Dagger. In addition, the band was on fire in support of Pat Egan & the Heavy Hearts’ sold out album release show, along with Moe’s N Co at Reggie’s Music Joint. No doubt getting warmed up for the album release show on February 4, 2023.

Those shows won’t compare to the album release party. Shannon Baker and The Burners look forward to an epic celebration of their debut album “Gone Too Soon.” The album release party will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Blue Island Bear Co in Blue Island, IL. Make sure you don’t miss out and grab your tickets to join the album release party with The Burners and their special guests of Marvin Stumbles (aka, Nate Traynor).

Keep in Touch with Shannon Baker and The Burners

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Photo Gallery by John Kosiewicz