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HOW MUCH PROFUNDITY can be hidden in just a few lines of poetry? How much history can be contained in the pressure of fingers on the strings of a guitar, or the keys of a piano?
Katy’s Hayden Baker received a gift from his dad, who worked security at the Houston Rodeo, at age 3 — an acoustic guitar autographed by country duo Brooks and Dunn, who added the directive “Hayden, practice!” alongside their signatures.
Twenty years later, Baker signed a publishing deal with Dunn’s publishing company Perfect Pitch. He also recorded a cover of the group’s “South of Santa Fe,” which appears on Baker’s latest album Barely Gettin’ By, an alternately raucous and introspective collection of songs spanning modern and traditional country styles, with heartfelt tenor vocals bolstered by some serious guitar shredding. This summer, in between trips to Nashville for songwriting sessions, he’s on tour to support the album, with gigs booked across Texas, including a solo acoustic show at The Dosey Doe in The Woodlands on Sept. 21.
When it comes to mastering an instrument, there are no shortcuts, but when Baker picked up a guitar at the relatively late age of 15, he discovered he had a natural facility for the guitar. “It fell under my fingers very fast, and I just became obsessed with that,” says Baker. He learned how to play by ear, listening to solos by guitarists Vince Gill, Stevie Ray Vaughn, top session guitarist Brent Mason, and even Eddie Van Halen.
But it was seeing the multitalented Paisley perform live at the Houston Rodeo that set the course for Baker. “I was like, ‘Yep! I wanna do that!’” says Baker of that teenage epiphany. “I went home and, over five years, learned everything he did.”
On Barely Gettin’ By, Paisley and Baker trade licks on a scorching electric and acoustic guitar duel titled “Don’t Meet Your Heroes,” sounding for all the world like Buck Owens and Roy Clark plugged into a couple of Marshall amps. “He always says the licks that make him laugh the most are the ones he keeps in a song,” says Baker of Paisley’s fearless, go-for-broke guitar playing. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Baker is getting his props as one of the nominees for Guitarist of the Year at this year’s Texas Country Music Association Awards. It’s an honor he takes very seriously and might not have imagined as a baseball-playing teenager who initially picked up a six-string to impress a girl.
“When it comes to my guitar parts, I take my recording sessions very, very seriously,” says Baker. “Because I know some kid out there may hear it, and it might spark something in them. So I might as well give them the best that I’ve got.”
Ferrari-Carano winery
The party starts Thurs., Sept. 19, at the popular Vintners Resort hideaway in Santa Rosa for a reception. After that warm-up, plan on exclusive add-on “Showdown Dinners” to choose from. On Friday, new events created by the Sonoma County Vintner’s include Winery Insider Tours. Pick your wine region — Dry Creek Valley, North Coast, etc. — and travel with the pros sightseeing, learning and tasting. Friday night Sept. 20, pull on your boots for Wine Country Nights: Boots, Bottles and Bites, which brings wild west fun to Sugarloaf Wine Co. for an evening of wine, food and live music. The beauty of the weekend is that you really don’t have to plan one thing. Just show up!
The Saturday auction, held at historical Chateau St. Jean, one of Foley Family Wines & Spirits’ luxury estates, culminates the three days. This charity auction moves briskly with bids on exclusive auction lots from rare wine to once-in-a-lifetime trips around the world. Rub shoulders with top winemakers while tasting regional wines and foods, and mingling with winery founders, industry luminaries, and big auction donors like Gallo, Jackson Family Wines, Foley Family Wines, Benovia Winery and Rodney Strong Vineyards.
But if you want to strike out on your own for a few days and nights, there are countless discoveries in the region. It’s worth it to make an appointment to visit Hamel Family Wines in the Sonoma Valley. The breathtaking contemporary winery offers several tasting experiences, including a must-do signature wine and food pairing prepared by the estate chef.
Also reserve ahead for one of the many remarkable experiences at Jordan Vineyard & Winery while savoring French-inspired wines. Established in 1970s, the 1,200-acre property takes a page from the beautiful French countryside, chateaus and all, and firmly plants it in Alexander Valley in the most authentic, modern way.
Optionally, cruise up Chalk Hill Road for valley views and taste a little bit of everything the region has to offer at Roth Estate Winery. Choose from several experiences including the BBQ lunch, tasting on the terrace, or the premier cave tasting. Nearby in Dry Creek Valley, Dutcher Crossing Winery is a fun stop for views, picnics on the lawn, petanque games, and eclectic white, rosé, zinfandel, wine blends and much more. First-timers to Dry Creek Valley should stop at the majestic Ferrari-Carano, an iconic winery flaunting ponds, dramatic fountains, endless views and Italian-inspired wines.
Sonoma County Wine Celebration (photo by Michael Woolsey)
Sonoma County Wine Auction
Chateau St. John
Vintners Resort
Located in Santa Rosa, Vintners Resort has long been a favorite for travelers seeking a regional hotel with walking spaces and amenities including culinary gardens, restaurants and spa. Plus, it’s the perfect jumping-off point for touring the different valleys including Sonoma, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. The property is amid renovating John Ash & Co. Restaurant, and it recently hired new chef Sergio Howland who is creating several new dining options at the resort.
This Sonoma Valley hotel set on a historic 19th-century estate of lush gardens will charm you from the get-go. Many of the rooms are suites with fireplaces, porches or balconies and original art for local Sonoma artists. Culinary offerings include Layla with a Mediterranean-Cali menu; The Bar at MacArthur; and The Porch coffee shop.
Les Mars
When you’re looking for the crème de la crème of the area, look no further than the chic town of Healdsburg. Les Mars is a French chateau inspired luxury boutique hotel under the Relais & Chateaux umbrella. The serene space is filled with unique 17th- and 18th-century antiques and the marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs are dreamy. Arandas is its new restaurant, which has a separate lounge for drinks and bites.
