Shock death of musician Vinny Baker

The death has occurred suddenly of the Westmeath musician, Vinny Baker.

Mr Baker died last night, Friday.

An exceptionally talented musician, he launched his latest CD, ‘Vinny Baker and Friends to the Max’ just Thursday of last week, July 11.

In a lifetime’s career, he mastered many instruments, and was involved with a number of bands in the area, including The Tennessee Breakdown Band, Bending The Strings, and the Breakdown Band.

He was also a member of the three-piece ‘Cabin Fever’, along with Joe Meehan and the late Canice Bruton, who, sadly, died just two years ago.

In addition to his independent career, Mr Baker was an in-demand session musician for other performers and was proprietor of the Vee Bee Studios at The Downs.

“He was very generous with his time for local musicians, going above and beyond the call of duty, especially for those who were starting out,” said fellow Mullingar musician, Noel O’Farrell, today, Saturday.

“Anybody who remembers him would remember him as that sort of individual: he started out so many young artists, and a strength in him was he recognized that music could be a life for people and he was there to help people get onto that path, plus he did amazing work for charity: he was the lynchpin in so many fundraising efforts locally, including The Music Gathering, Mullingar,” added Mr O’Farrell, who was shocked over Mr Baker’s sudden death.

There is a wealth of music on YouTube showing just how great a talent Vinny was.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.