Music
Terry Lewis Baker
Born in Greenville, S.C. on the 28th of September, 1949, Terry Baker was exposed to music from the time he entered this world. His mother was the organist for Tabernacle Baptist Church in Greenville, S.C. His father was a voice and music teacher for Stamps Baxter. His parents were both involved in gospel music as his father sang in various quartets and his mother played piano for them. Terry’s father started giving him voice lessons early. By the time he was able to talk, at age 3, his mother stated giving him piano lessons as well.
IN 1953, his father and mother formed the Melodyaires quartet and he started getting interested in singing. He was able to sing at his first concert at Parker Hight School in Greenville, S.C. with The Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, and the Melodyaires. At age 9, he started playing the trumpet in the band at Welcome Elementary school. He found that since he could read music, he could teach himself to play any instrument. He started trying to learn all he could about music theory from his mother. By the time he reached high school, he was playing many different instruments including the trumpet, saxophone, French horn, tuba, and trombone In the band. In 1967, he joined the Army and was sent to the U.S. Navel School of Music. After graduating from there, he was sent to Fort Jackson to drum major, director for the 282nd Army Band.
After leaving the Army, Terry sang with his mother and father as The Baker Family. The group name was changed later to The Evangelaires Quartet. In 1993, Terry’s father passed away and Terry took over as the manager of the group. In 2001, The Evangelaires started a TV show each Sunday afternoon on WGGS TV in Greenville, S.C. called “The Evangelaires and friends show”. Terry traveled the country singing in concerts and churches until 2006, when his mothers passed away. Then Terry retired the group and started working as worship leader in churches. Terry directed the choir for the Carolina Baptist Association called “ The Joy Sing-
ers” from 2018 till 2020 before the pandemic hit the USA in 2020. Terry has directed many choirs, bands and orchestras throughout his life.
In 2019, Terry had a Burden for kids that did not have the opportunity to learn music or play an instruments. After much prayer, Terry put together a program to help kids called S.H.A.R.E. (Someone Helping Another Receive Enrichment). Terry knew there were a lot of instruments out there in someone’s attic or closest that were not being used. Terry asks these people to consider donating that instrument, and he puts them in the hands of a child and teaches them how to read music and play that instrument, FREE for one year. Many children have learned to read music and play instrument over the years. Not only do they learn to play the instrument, they learn music theory.
Terry continues to teach and direct music as well as sing at churches and concerts throughout the area. Terry says, “This is my mission for the Lord.” Terry also teaches as a music director for other churches and has adult classes for people to learn read music. He also has a voice and ear training class to help people learn to sing for the Lord. Terry said, “This is my mission work to help people worship the Lord in song.” He has said that he will do this until the day he leaves this world.
