We caught up with the brilliant and insightful CJ Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, CJ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been a full-time musician since February 2012.

At the start of my career, I always had a job. Mostly retail stuff. I would go to class (I was in college at the time) then go to work or a rehearsal. Living in Raleigh at the time, I wanted to take my skills to the next level and see what the world had to offer. Playing drums was always my passion and I use to dream about being on a big stage playing in front of thousands of people with a major artist. So in 2008, I decided to move to Atlanta. I was working at Champs so I was able to transfer to a store down there. In 2009, I went to play on a cruise ship then went on tour. That was from about February to August. As soon as I got back, I returned to my job. Getting exposed to that had me thinking that I could do this for a living. It was an adrenaline rush and scary feeling at the same time. You always hear about the starving musician and that you should always have a Plan B but I’m a person that’s big on faith and proving people wrong. I knew that if this was something that I really wanted to do, I needed to have a solid Plan A. So I decided to treat my dream as my full-time job. I would go hang out with the musicians and artists, play anywhere I could so that I would be seen and heard, and even had a “network day.” Once a month, I would call the artist and MD in my phone and touch base with them. Not necessarily asking for work but more so staying on their minds for when they needed a drummer.

By 2012, things were going great, I was playing a lot and I still had my other job. I got called to go back on tour. I told my manager and they were cool about it. They said I would have my back when I got back like the last time. However, the district manager at the time wasn’t feeling it. They said because I was a shift leader I couldn’t do that and basically gave me an ultimatum. I don’t do well with those but I saw it as a sign. I had been looking for an opportunity to become a full-time musician but I was too scared. I believe this was God’s way of forcing me to take the leap. So, I left my job and went on tour. Once I got back, reality set in that I would have to really commit to being a full-time musician and whatever system I had to get work needed to be maximized.

12 years later, I’m still a full-time musician. I have lived in Los Angeles and now back in NC. I am a husband and father that supports my family by doing music. I don’t just play though, I teach and I have an entertainment company.

I would say trusting God and having faith has sustained me and helped me to achieve my goals. I don’t think there was anything I could’ve done that would’ve sped up the process. God’s timing is perfect

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 back background and context?

I was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. I started playing drums at 5 and I was 8 when I started playing in church. By the time I was thirteen, I was the full-time drummer at my church. I started playing in clubs at seventeen. Up until I was nineteen, I was self taught. I went to school (NCCU) for music and before getting in, I took lessons to learn how to read. I am a music lover.

I am a husband and a father of 3 girls (girl dad!!!).

I have an entertainment company, CJ Baker Entertainment. We service clients who may need a band or DJ for their events. We do weddings, festivals, corporate events, birthdays, etc. We also have an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band under CJ Baker Ent called, September: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.

I teach music, I am a session drummer as well as a live musician.

I wear a lot of hats.

At an early age, I loved music and drums were my favorite instrument. I come from a family of singers and musicians, so music was in my blood.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I believe in people doing their job well. When I get a call, people are expecting my best. Giving my best comes from, preparation – learning the music, being able to lead the band in and out of different parts of the song, and bring a live element to a song.

I am most proud of the person that I am and becoming. Life can be hard but how you handle it determines who you are.

I want people to know that I am a fun person to be around. Having balance is important. I love my family and I love what I do. I want my work to speak for me by having my name in rooms that I’m not in yet.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is touching lives. Music is an unspoken language that can change an emotion where sometimes words can’t.

I’ll give you an example. I have an open mic/jam session every Tue in Durham and a guy came in one night. He seemed fine, didn’t act like anything was wrong. We went through the night and ended on a high note. Nothing out of the ordinary. The next week, that same guy came in but he got there before we did because he wanted to talk to me. He told me that the previous week was his first time coming and how he enjoyed himself. He went on to say that prior to coming in, he received some bad news and that he was going to come in and eat then go home to take his life. He said because of the music, he decided not to and wanted to thank me.

You never what people are going through. I truly believe that music is healing.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I always encourage people/venues to support artists. You never know who will be the next superstar.

Support can be free. It’s as simple as liking a post, following that person and sharing their post.

Also, you going to their show, buying their merchandise, and streaming their music.

Last thing I would say is, consistent support is needed. Continuous support allows artists to do more shows and venues to have more events.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iamcjbaker.com
• Instagram: iamcjbaker
• Other: IG: september_ewftributeband

Image Credits

Bobby Roebuck
Tre’elle Tolbert