BARBARA JEAN BAKER
Described aptly by producer Jayar Mack as "The Fabulous Baker Girl", Barbara Jean Baker was fortunate enough to grow up in a household filled with music and singing. She learned early that music was her deepest passion. After a few years of tap dancing and piano lessons, then choir and drama class in high school, she formed a band called the “Chosen Few”. She knew then that music was the “rhythm of her soul.”
Moving to Florida in 1975 from Michigan, she found her way to the Sarasota Players Theatre as a cast member and then acting classes at the Asolo Theatre in Sarasota. She spent the better part of the early 2000's performing on Cruise Ships across the country.
In January of 2013, she attended Unity Church in Sarasota and performed as a soloist, background vocalist, choir member and pianist until 2017.
As an accomplished songwriter, Barbara has copyrighted several original compositions, and hopes to soon finish a solo album of her inspirational songs and instrumentals.
To that end, in 2017, Barbara met Singer/Songwriter/Producer Jayar Mack, who subsequently brought her to Jacoda Records, then joined the Legendary 60’s Girl Group “The Goodies” as a lead and backing vocalist. Currently, she and they are in the studio working on their debut album of great songs, the first single, YOUR LOVE, their first recordings since 1965, features Barbara on backing vocals and co-written, produced & arranged by JAYAR MACK, their second single, I SPY A GUY, features Barbara on co-lead and backing vocals and also co-writing the song with JAYAR MACK and THE GOODIES, is sure to be a smash hit, also bringing back in 2020 the hit singles fans are still asking to hear today like DUM DUM DITTY and SOPHISTICATED BOOM BOOM.
Barbara’s motto is to live her passion and successfully achieve the desires of a burning heart flowing with music by singing, performing and songwriting. She believes that “Music is a gift of the heart and should be shared with everyone.”
BARBARA JEAN BAKER performing live, Venice, FL. CIRCA 2019
Formed in Levittown, Long Island in 1964, The Goodies didn’t take long to get noticed. Original members Maryann Gesmundo, Diane Reilling, Maureen Reilling and Sue Gelber were performing with headliner Little Anthony & The Imperials at a school function when they were approached by a local agent/ manager, Ron Schubert, about representing the group.
They made the decision to sign on with Ron, and he quickly arranged for an audition with the up-and-coming songwriter/producer, George “Shadow” Morton. The audition was so successful that within a matter of days they were signed to the hot new label of 1964 – Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller & George Goldner’s Red Bird Records. Joining the roster with such groups as The Dixie Cups, The Shangri-Las, The Jelly Beans, The Trade Winds & Ellie Greenwich, The Goodies were poised for success.
After tossing around a few tunes and trying to find just the right one, the powers that be at Red Bird chose “Leader of the Pack” and “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” for The Goodies’ first two demo recordings, both of which were ultimately released by The Shangri-Las. Instead, another tune was proposed for The Goodies entitled “The Dum Dum Ditty” and with that, they hit many Top 40 radio play lists.
Recorded at Mira Sound Studios in the wee small hours one morning, “The Dum Dum Ditty” takes off with Maryann’s lead vocals and the perfect harmonies of Diane, Maureen and Sue. WMCA disc jockeys Dandy Dan Daniels and Harry Harrison knew the girls had a hit on their hands and invited them to perform at area shows including the legendary WMCA High School Hops. In addition to their many personal appearances, The Goodies found themselves thrust into the TV spotlight courtesy of such programs as The Clay Cole Show.
While “The Dum Dum Ditty” was taking off on the pop charts, another Goodies recording, “Sophisticated Boom Boom” was added to play lists of many R&B stations. Attending school during the week, The Goodies’ weekends were a whirlwind of appearances with performers such as Bobby Rydell, Ruby & The Romantics, The Crystals, Ben E. King, and other top acts of the day.
The group was forced to break up when lead singer Maryann’s family relocated to Pennsylvania, though the remaining members formed other groups and continued to perform in area shows. After a long hiatus, three of the original members reunited in the fall of 2005. Because of their inclusion on the disc, they were asked to perform at The Cutting Room in New York City for the CD launch party of Warner Brothers – Rhino Industry’s emmy-nominated compilation “One Kiss Leads to Another: Lost and Found”, listed in Rolling Stone Magazine as the number one reissue for 2005 (beating out Ray Charles, The Grateful Dead, John Coltrane and Billy Joel).
They most recently opened for Maxine Brown and Little Anthony & The Imperials at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ to great success. Original lead singer of The Goodies Maryann Gesmundo Regal is now joined by their newest members, Barbara Jean Baker and Tiffany Regal.
Maryann, in 2017, was introduced by Barbara to songwriter/producer JAYAR MACK, who decided to take them on as clients and bring them to JACODA RECORDS. The result is a brand new upcoming single co-written and produced by JAYAR MACK entitled "YOUR LOVE", to be serviced to radio/press in 3rd or 4th quarter of 2018, a second single co-written by JAYAR MACK, JAMES FORBES and THE GOODIES entitled "I SPY A GUY", and a brand new upcoming album to be released in 2020...their first brand new recordings since 1965!
The Goodies enjoy performing a diverse range of music, including a mix of girl group favorites from the 60’s, contemporary pieces and of course their own recordings. They continue to captivate their many fans with their energetic and magnetic performances.
THE GOODIES in 2019! (From L to R: TIFFANY REGAL, BARBARA JEAN BAKER & Original Lead Singer MARYANN GESMUNDO REGAL)