Carroll Baker’s final tour includes 7 Maritime shows

Country music trailblazer Carroll Baker is preparing for her final tour.

After 55 years in the industry, Carroll Baker, one of Canada’s most celebrated country music artists, is preparing for her final tour. The Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer and multiple Juno Award winner is giving fans one last chance to experience the music that made her a legend.

“I’m happy if I get anybody out and telling me stories about themselves and how I affected their lives,” Baker said in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly. “That’s really important to me.”

Baker, often referred to as Canada’s First Lady of Country Music, says the title reflects the milestones she achieved throughout her career.

“I actually gave myself that name, and it wasn’t because I think I’m the First Lady,” she said. “It was because I have had so many firsts in my career.”

Since launching her career in the 1970s, the Port Medway, N.S., native has earned more than 20 No. 1 hits, hosted her own television show, and became one of the most recognized voices in Canadian country music.

Despite her love for performing, Baker says the time has come to step away from the stage.

“A lot of people just love to sing and sing until the day they die,” she said. “I’m not that person. I recently lost my brother Willis, he was only 81, and he died so quickly. And I thought, well, I need to spend some time with my family, my children, and my grandchildren.

“I think I’ve given enough of myself to people, and I think they appreciate what I’ve done.”

Baker says fans can expect nothing less than her best on this final run.

“When I get on that stage, I want everybody to know they’re not getting 90 per cent of me – they’re getting 150 per cent,” she said. “I want them to remember me as someone who put them first.”

The show will include her biggest hits, along with a mix of genres that influenced her as a young artist.

“I want to go back to where I got into music as a teenager,” she said. “Beatles, rock and roll – I’ll do that. And I’ll do my gospel music, my favorites. It’s all going to be there – a little bit for everybody”.

The cross-country tour will include seven stops in the Maritimes.

“I could be anyplace all over the world. But there’s no place like Nova Scotia. Not in my heart,” she said.

Baker hopes to see familiar faces in the crowd, people who have supported her throughout her career.

“Without them, I wouldn’t have a career,” she said. They’re the reason why I’ve done it all these years, and the reason I hate to quit. But it’s the right time now.”

Carroll Baker’s farewell tour will kick off in spring 2025.