Gabe Baker makes waves on screen and stage with his music
A multi-talented singer, songwriter, actor and musician, Gabe Baker is multi-ethnic and stands a sturdy six feet tall. He makes his Hallmark Channel debut in the romantic comedy, BRANCHING OUT, while creating music around the world with the band, for KING & COUNTRY.
Gabe Baker, as “Trey” in the Hallmark movie, BRANCHING OUT, is playing a character that he admits is very closely aligned to his real-life self, and he stated that this project was “just too divine” in the way it all came together. A Nashville resident for the last couple years, Baker has been writing and performing his own original music. His talent manager, Michelle Zeitlin, sent him an audition request to self tape for this role. Zeitlin said the submission notice from casting director Jennifer Buster was tailor made for her client and she knew instantly this was Gabe’s role to play. The casting for “Trey,” a soulful and famous touring artist in this thoughtful screenplay, required real skills on guitar and singing skills. The executives of Hallmark, the creative team and cast and crew in Utah, enjoyed his rollicking “live” performance on set. When the scene wrapped, he got rousing applause as if he really just gave a rock concert. The director, Maclain Nelson, was very pleased to have Baker as part of this film. He said Baker brought heart and charisma to the project. At the Los Angeles screening for the movie, April 30th 2024, Bart Fisher VP, Development - Programming, Hallmark Media, said, “thank you for sharing your many talents Gabe.”
Along with his growing film and television resume, Gabe Baker is expanding his opportunities on stage and in the recording studio.
Next, he will be going on tour to Australia and New Zealand with the Christian rock band, for KING & COUNTRY. Since meeting the band members- two “Aussie” brothers plus musicians- Baker has performed seventy shows in venues around the country. He says since working with Joel and Luke Smallbone, he has really gained confidence and versatility, and developed his stage legs. Baker’s unique ability to play multiple instruments (cello, drums, keyboards, guitar, percussion) and to pick up this band’s particular style quickly has made him an asset to the band. This music and their message also speaks to Baker, who is a practising Christian. Baker was “stoked” to perform at the Grand Ole' Opry in Nashville. He says the band has been incredibly welcoming and he feels so “at home” on stage. Now Baker is excited to tour in Australia, especially since the band has its roots there.
Gabe Baker was born and raised in Texas, but had done plenty of world travelling with his family. His parents were, as he describes, “two fired up, loving, committed Christian evangelist parents. Just prior to my birth, my parents spent around 5 years in the Apartheid stricken Johannesburg, South Africa where they planted and led a prosperous multi-racial Christian Church.” Baker says, at the core, he is an adventurer. With his devout Christian beliefs, he moves in life with a strong faith, and this has helped him face some challenges, including the loss of his mother to cancer. It was this great personal loss in his life that inspired a commitment to the arts and entertainment.
His athletic pursuits include playing Division 1 Football at Rice University. He competed on the popular AMERICAN NINJA WARRIORS national TV show. He still practises those elite obstacle courses regularly to keep finely tuned. He has tested both left and right brain, with his studies and career pursuits as a civil engineer, and worked in politics for a stretch. Clearly, Baker has tenacity, resilience and the mental and physical prowess to push through adversity. All this, says his manager, Michelle Zeitlin, “with a loving heart, strong work ethic and kindness.” Baker says: "A quote that resonates through my family is one from my grandfather, and he always reminds us to ‘stay the course.’ Gabe Baker is exploring collaborations with other musical artists, finding his sweet spot and sound. His inspiration lately has been the music vibes of Otis Redding in his own songs.
In June, Gabe Baker will be shooting another film in Atlanta. With a list of clear goals and a vision for his artistic future, he is delighted to be shooting commercials, modelling campaigns and collaborating with artists to create new music.
“Self-fulfilment is directly related to self-awareness and selflessness. You can’t be your best self without knowing YOU and you won’t reach the potential of your impact until you live for Others.”
Gabe Baker is represented by NTA in Los Angeles and AMAX in Nashville; managed across the board by More Zap Productions & Management LLC.
