Jason Baker is a Song Smith and Folk Singer from Vermont performing topical, original, folk-roots songs with a modern lyrical viewpoint, mixed with traditional folk, on guitar, banjo, ukulele & harmonica.
His latest single is “The Shoemakers Of Lynn”, a song written by New England songwriter Graham Dean in commemoration of the New England Shoemakers Strike of 1860. Lynn, Mass. was settled by shoemakers. They were making shoes in Lynn before there even was a Lynn. During the colonial era, Lynn was dotted with 10 foot by 10 foot shacks where artisan shoemakers practiced their craft.
The New England Shoemakers Strike of 1860 or Lynn Shoeworkers Strike began on February 22, 1860 with 3,000 shoemakers walking off their jobs in Lynn, Massachusetts. Within a week, the strike had spread to 25 other New England towns, including towns in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and even New York. 20,000 more shoemakers refused to work while 20,000 others openly supported the shoemakers with marches, parades and opposition to the police.. It ended in April with modest gains for shoemakers, including pay increases and owner recognition of some labor unions. At the time, it was one of the largest workers' protest in United States history, and the biggest strike in the United States up until then.
“The Shoemakers Of Lynn” is the 9th song released this year as part of a project to release one social justice song a month for each month of 2026.
2019 New England Music Awards Nominee for "Best in Vermont"
Nov/Dec American Songwriter Magazine Lyric Contest Honorable Mention for the song "Christmastime Blues"
Finalist in the Songs For Social Change 2019 Song Contest for the song "something that's never been done before"
Composed and performs theme music for "Vermont Talks" podcast (vermonttalks.com)
Finalist in the "Solo Male" Category of the Blues & Roots Radio International Song Contest 2022 for the song "The Dream Of Peace"
Finalist in the Songs For Social Change 2022 Song Contest for the song "It Doesn’t Go Away"
Vermont Folklife Traditional Arts Apprentice, 2022-23 Cohort, “Long Neck Banjo”, Master: Rik Palieri
Steering Committee Member, The People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, 2024 -2025
