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| Long Biography Terrell Baker, aka Duane Baker, was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, January 14, 1978. Terrell's mother got sick and tired of killing the rats and snakes that were invading their home, not to mention the fact that her one and only son was almost killed in a hit-n-run car accident. So, when Terrell was five, he, his mother (Lillian Baker), and his older sister (Shanika Baker) relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. Once settled into Boston, Terrell began to attend his grandmother's (Mary Davis) Pentecostal church. Terrell was often escorted up front and placed alongside his grandmother and grandfather because he was too busy entertaining the people around him. For example, when his grandmother would yell out hallelujah praises,Terrell would yell out hallelujah praises, and when his grandfather would dance a little shout, Terrell would dance a little shout. Sometime later, Terrell's grandmother formed a children's choir called the Tiny Tots. Terrell was excited about this because he loved to sing, to himself, in the shower, walking down the street-- it didn't matter, anywhere and everywhere. Terrell had a hidden talent that not too many people knew much about, not even himself, until he was asked to lead a song in the choir, and that's where it all began. As Terrell quickly began to grow up, he was ready to join the adult choir. He was asked to lead a song in the adult choir, which at the time was under the direction of his aunt-in-law (Cammy Davis), who had married his uncle, the church pianist (Bryant Davis). Terrell eventually stopped singing in the church choir because, believe it or not, the church pastor had decided that men wearing earrings were forbidden to join the choir, and of course Terrell had an earring and wouldn't take it out. But that did not stop Terrell from being able to sing. He started his own group in the church and called them The Four Believers, which consisted of his sister (Shanika Baker),his aunt (Beverly Davis), and his cousin (Deanna Davis). The group did not have as many performances as he had hoped, but after all the long hours of staying up late and singing their hearts out, it was worth it. Terrell began to drift away from his childhood church, but did not stop singing. He created a performing arts activity in his high school (Keefe Technical High School). He pitched an idea to his high school class advisor (Linda Paul) about putting on a talent show for the entire school and faculty. She was all for it. It was not at all easy producing, directing, choreographing, and performing in this talent show. Terrell was often attacked physically and verbally by the dancers because they didn't like certain moves or the fact that they were not front and center on the stage. Terrell often had to break up fights because some of the dancers did not get along. But aside from the different personalities he had to deal with, as they say in show business, the show must go on, and it did. The show consisted of a number of choreographed dance numbers, solo and duet performances. They were a hit. Terrell was now getting ready to graduate from high school and was ready to move to New York City, to pursue his ultimate dream of becoming a successful vocalist that has performed and traveled around the world. Terrell had quite a bit of money when he moved to New York, but anyone who has been to or lives in New York City knows that it is not cheap. It's not like living in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Terrell was starting to run out of all the money he had saved. So he did what any other struggling artist would do, went out and got a job. Terrell landed himself a really great job at a high-end furniture store called Room, which is located in Tribeca, the artists' district of New York City. Terrell worked at Room for about a year and a half and saved up enough money to go back to focusing more on his dream. Terrell began to subscribe to the performing artists' handbook in New York City, Back Stage. Terrell went on a few auditions, anywhere from singers, actors, models, and dancers wanted. Terrell knew he was not much of an actor, but then he thought, what the heck, go for it, you don't always get to do what you want right away in life. Terrell was not getting hired. He thought he could sing, at least that what the casting agents told him: "You have a beautiful voice. "Where have you been? But you have no professional experience in Broadway theater, etc., sorry, next. Terrell began to think to himself, this is not the way I thought this was going to turn out, but then remembered, this is New York City, there's a ton of performing artists here looking for their big break. In the fall of 2000, Terrell got hired by Kevin Williams, the choreographer for Steven Scott Entertainment. Terrell worked for Steven Scott Entertainment as a GenerationX Dancer for about two years. Once Terrell's contract was up, he decided to market himself as an independent vocalist because he feels singing is his strongest suit. On February 1st, 2010, Terrell Baker released an electronic dance/inspirational pop album titled "Joy Proclaimed" which consists of 8 out of the 14 songs in his autobiographical show of the same title. To develop a fan base, publicize the show and the release of the album, and to network with other talented vocalist, musicians and fans he has been singing several times each week at openmike nights in various piano bars and nightclubs around New York City. So look out for Terrell as he may be performing somewhere near you. |