Carroll Baker

Known as the “Canada’s First Lady of Country Music”, Carroll Baker epitomizes every value that has made country music the enduring form that it is: honesty, reality, genuine feeling, hard work, love, family, church, friendship, respect for others. Born in Nova Scotia, Baker moved to Toronto at the age of 16 and began singing with a bar band in Oakville, eventually moving on to fairs and jamborees across Southern Ontario.

Her first single, ‘Memories of Home’ was a minor hit in Ontario, but it was her 1975 recording of Conway Twitty’s, ‘I’ve Never Been This Far Before’ that launched her into international success. Her long time management pact with Don Grashey also saw the pair co-write many of her early career hits on Grashey’s Gaiety Records label.

Baker has had fourteen consecutive #1 hits and over fifty recorded compositions, including, ‘Tonight with Love’, ‘Why I Had to Pass this Way’, ‘It’s My Party’, ‘It’s Late I Have to Go’, ‘Hooked on a Feeling, ‘Love Triangle’ and ‘Dreamin’ Ain’t Cheatin’. Her composition ‘I’m An Old Rock ‘N Roller‘ was a country chart hit in 1984 for Tom Jones.

Baker also experienced success on television, appearing live on CBC’s “Superspecials” in 1978-79 and on her own CBC summer series, “The Carroll Baker Jamboree” in 1983. In 1998, she starred in the BBS special, “Carroll Baker’s Country Classics”.

Baker received Juno Awards in 1977-1979 for ‘Country Female Vocalist of the Year’, as well as numerous Big Country Awards for ‘Vocalist of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Single of the Year’. She received the CCMA Award in 1982 and 1985 for ‘Best Female Vocalist’ and in 1986, took home the award for ‘Best-Selling Album’.

Carroll Baker continues to lead a successful life as one of Canada’s best loved songwriters and performers, acting as an ambassador of Canadian country music.

Carroll Baker was appointed to the Order of Canada on May 25, 2009.