We were lucky to catch up with Ami Baker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ami, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I’m currently in the long process of a project that means a lot to me; the recording of an album based off my experiences with my failing health. Some people who have been following me for a while may know about and have heard my song, “Rock Bottom”, (available anywhere you stream music), but only a few of them know that the song was written about my health. Since I wrote the song “Rock Bottom” in October 2021, I have written close to two dozen more songs concerning the heavy topics of suffering from chronic illness, and all of the ups and downs of a life accompanied by sickness. The “Rock Bottom album” will be released hopefully sometime next year, and believe it or not, I have already written 9 more songs for the following album. Since my diagnosis of chronic illness in August 2021, this has been a passion of mine that I can’t explain. And after my hospital stays the following Summer (2022) and the multiple near death experiences I faced, sharing my music and message is one of my top priorities with the time that I have on this earth. It’s my deepest hope that these songs will touch people and give them encouragement that they are not alone in their battles. Chronic illness, depression, and any type of suffering can be painfully lonely, and I want to make sure that people feel heard, understood, and like someone somewhere in the world is praying for them- because I am.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am a 27 (almost 28) year old singer-songwriter living in Gloucester, Virginia with my husband and daughter. I’ve been singing, playing music, and writing songs for as long as I can remember. As a young child I would always be singing and making little songs up. 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 really 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. And using songwriting and music as a healthy outlet to life’s struggles has helped me tremendously throughout some very dark times. It’s always been my dream to be able to do this for a living, and if my songs can bring people comfort and entertainment, while I get to have fun doing what I love, that would be the best thing ever! The music industry is very difficult, it’s something you have to constantly be fighting for. That being said, I love being able to sing and play my songs for people, even if I never “make it big”, so it’s something I’m going to keep doing and trying to do for as long as I am able! It’s been a really cool experience to have a bunch of my songs on streaming platforms, it’s a small way that I can live out my dreams! I have a big heart for people who feel alone, unheard, or not good enough. I feel like God has designed me to care for people like that since I used to feel that way as well. I’m an emotional writer, and I care a lot about being a light in the darkness. I don’t care too much for recognition or attention, I just want a platform to be able to share my love for Jesus and all the people who are hurting in this world.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’ve been pursuing music since I was about 13 years old, so in the 15 or so years that I’ve been performing, I’ve learned that rejection doesn’t have to define us. Throughout the years I have tried out for American Idol and didn’t even make it past the first round, been in multiple songwriting and talent competitions that left me feeling inadequate, performed for audiences of 0-3 people that deeply discouraged me, been told every excuse in the book on why I wouldn’t be able to perform live somewhere, etc., etc., etc… At the end of it all, it doesn’t matter how many times you’re rejected, or how many doors close in your face. What matters is how many times you get back up, and the drive that you have to make it. God designed you and gave you a purpose, so chase that purpose with ever fiber of your entire being. I wish that I had known this much earlier in my “career” in music. If I had, I probably would be a lot further along and have a little bit bigger fan base! I’d also have probably a dozen more songs available on streaming platforms. But now that I do know, and have lived long enough to learn this the hard way, I don’t let minor rejections keep me from doing what I love!
Long story short, all the time and energy that you put into something will never be wasted. Keep growing, keep performing, keep creating, keep pursuing- and one day- something beautiful will come of it, and you’ll be thankful that you never gave up!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
When I read a message or a comment that my music means something to someone, it makes all the hard work of the industry worth it! My biggest hope is that my music will touch people and make them feel heard and valued, so when someone tells me that they love my music or that they listen to it all the time, I feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose in life. Every encouraging comment from a fan means more than they will ever know, and it gives me even more motivation to keep producing music that is relatable and comforting to the listener. If no one cared about my music, I wouldn’t have any reason to put it out into the world, so I am extremely grateful for the people that make it possible! Knowing that my songs help even just ONE person is enough for me. 
Contact Info:
- 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
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AmiBaker
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/19KOkmFuFUWsNi7M0uBQmf?si=wrLJOnsWSAOnFf5PYEBMzA