We have learned that Kenny Baker has suffered a stroke and is hospitalized. He celebrated his 85th birthday on June 26.
Baker, whom Bill Monroe always introduced as “the greatest fiddler in bluegrass music,” first joined the Blue Grass Boys in 1957 and, aside from three breaks, stayed with Monroe until October 1984.
In addition to playing on about 75 recording sessions of one type or other while working for Monroe he has about 35 albums of his own (or shared with others like Josh Graves, Blain Sprouse, Bobby Hicks and Howdy Forrester).
Keep him in your thoughts and offer a prayer for his complete recovery.
Cards and/or flowers can be sent to:
Kenny Baker
c/o Sumner Regional Medical Center
555 Hartsville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066-2400
Here’s a clip of Kenny Baker in his prime playing Gold Rush from the album Kenny Baker – Master Fiddler (County CD 2705, 1993).
