Player Spotlight: Lane Baldwin

by Corey Brown   |  Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
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Lane BaldwinMeet Lane Baldwin, aka Lane on Bass, a bassist of 42 years and our player in the spotlight for October 18, 2011.

Bio:

Bassist for 42 years, pro for 29. Endorsements include Spector basses, DNA amplification, DR Strings, LM Products (straps), Peterson Tuners, Shubb Capos, Manhasset Stands. Musical Ambassador for Washington, DC.

Current main gig: Ryan Pelton and the Difference (world’s foremost Elvis Tribute Artist). Leader, singer, bassist (low and lead bass), and songwriter for Deeper Blues (hailed as “the best in thirty years”).

Co-founder of Low Notes for Nashville (now expanded to Low Notes Foundation, serving bassists in need). Creator of Bass Lessons HQ, a new lesson-oriented site.

Location:

South Carolina

Day gig:

Music is my main job, but I’m also a business consultant focusing on marketing, sales, customer service, servant-leadership and associated training. Trustee for Spears Center for Servant-Leadership, published author on the subject. I also consult to other artists and companies on web sites (design, copy, navigation, etc.).

Years experience:

42 years

Bands & Gigs:

I am the bassist for Ryan Pelton, the world’s foremost Elvis Tribute Artist. We also do Salute! – a patriotic show that serves to raise funds for our project to build a house for a homeless vet who lost his home while serving in Iraq/Afghanistan. This year, we released Ryan’s first all-original CD, Wash Over Me.

I am also the leader of my own band – Deeper Blues – and am the lead vocalist, songwriter and producer. Dig the Hole, our first CD, has been hailed as some of the best Blues in thirty years, and has gained airplay and sales in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Gear:

Endorser for:

  • Spector Basses – NS-6XL, Coda 4, Coda 5
  • DNA Amplification – DNS-112N, DNS-210
  • DR Strings – Black Beauties
  • Peterson Tuners – Stomp Classic
  • LM Products – numerous straps
  • Shubb Capos – for my guitar and baritone guitar
  • Renaissance Guitars – RS-6 Deuce

I also use Eden Amplifiers – WT-550, WT400, WTX-260

My Pedaltrain Jr. pedal board currently includes:

  • Line 6 Relay G50 wireless
  • E-H Mini POG
  • Stomp Classic
  • Ernie Ball volume pedal

I use an Avalon U-5 in the studio.

Why I play the bass:

After starting on piano (age 5), trying guitar and drums (not good fits) and playing Baritone in school band, I tried a bass in the local music store. It spoke to me in a way no other instrument ever had. After only a few notes, I realized that the bass was my instrument.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

Serving the Groove. While I do lead bass (as well as “normal” low end) in Deeper Blues, I am mostly known as a pocket player who prefers to serve the song instead of flashing out at ever opportunity. My motto was given to me by a producer who, when asked why a client should hire me for his project, said, “Lane is Rock Solid & Pocket Wise.”

My influences

Almost every bassist I’ve ever heard is an influence in one way or another. Early influences include Jack Bruce, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, James Jamerson, and Carol Kaye, with whom I studied in the early ’80s. Mentors include Johnny B. Gayden (Albert Collins, and many others), and Roy Vogt, both of whom are close friends. I also consider many of my friends to be influences, including Polo Jones, Traa Daniels, Sean O’Bryan Smith, Abe White, Dave Pomeroy, Carmine Rojas, Doug Johns and many, many others.

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