About CJ Meet the man behind the music Born in 1949 to Grace and Drew Baker, CJ lived in Ferndale, Michigan (Detroit suburb) for all of his public school years. Notable in his education, CJ was exposed to two driving forces in his high school years which carry through to today. First, he was in choir several years with a superior teacher who taught him fundamental singing techniques. Second, CJ was in a rock band which developed a love for performing. After high school, CJ went to college and graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. and M.S. in Education. He had the distinct honor to teach for 31 years to students in Hazel Park, Michigan dividing his tenure equally at the junior and senior high schools. “Loads of wonderful kids came into my classroom each year. I miss them.” Right after college, CJ was introduced to song writing by a friend of his, Rick Bryce, who wrote songs and played along with his guitar. Since music had been pushed to the background because of all the jobs and classes in college, CJ was eager to pick up music again. Only this time, not as a band member, but as a solo writer and performer. Lots of gigs and songs later, marriage and children again forced music to the background. CJ married the love of his life, Leslie, and had three great kids. Jobs and raising kids consumed most of the time from his late twenties to his early fifties. “It was well worth the love, time and energy, but now that my kids are grown up, it's time to do something for myself.” CJ retired from teaching and picked up music as his new/old career. “At first I thought playing and doing character shows to elementary schools was my future, but as so often happens, things change.” The school show was outpaced by an increasingly demanding audience in senior care facilities, churches and coffee shops around town. Writing also began to reemerge from his playing. “I had things I wanted to say to young people and loved ones, so the lyrics became songs.” Enough lyrics to provide for his recently released first CD, Cooler ‘Cause We're Older. Just as in his shows, “character” is a theme in the CD as well. CJ, Leslie and “Jake” the wonder Lab have a home in Howell, Michigan with trees, wildlife and a creek. They wake up every morning and know how fortunate they are in life. Especially, because of their children. Clockwise from left: Amanda, Drew, Devin, Dan and Jake