Long Island blues singer Kelli Baker to do signing, performance at Plainview music store

Blues fans can head to All Music in Plainview on Dec. 19, when Huntington singer Kelli Baker is holding an in-store signing and performance with guitarist Noé Socha from 4 to 6 p.m. Baker is currently promoting her new blues album, "Granite (Badlands)," from Gulf Coast Records.

"I started doing open mics, and then, to jams around Long Island. The Homestead in Oyster Bay has a great jam on Wednesday nights," Baker told Newsday via email. "My biggest advice to anyone who wants to play is to go to a jam. There are people of all levels. You have to throw yourself into the fire to push yourself to the next level."

Baker, who grew up in Arizona, was crowned the winner of Nashville, Tennessee’s 615 Blues Revival competition last year. Recently, legendary blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa chose her cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for his "Cutting Edge Blues" Spotify playlist.

"I’m always surprised when those moments happen, but I am always in a state of immense gratitude," Baker stated. "It took a long time to get to who I was the whole time, and a lot of convincing, especially convincing myself. It’s never too late to surprise yourself."

Baker will be holding an album release show at My Father’s Place in Roslyn on Jan. 30 and is scheduled to record another album, titled "Mother," at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville next year.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.