Over the years, Sam Baker has become our morning guide through the moments that have defined our lives and our region 鈥� from the Sept. 11 attacks to the deadly police shootings in Dallas in 2016, from the Ebola virus arriving in North Texas to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sam, a Beaumont native, is determined and dependable. He gets up in the middle of the night each day to bring listeners the news. Nothing stops him: Not bad weather, not icy roads. In fact, we can鈥檛 remember the last time he took a sick day.
I had the privilege of talking to some of Sam鈥檚 current and former colleagues and admirers about his impact on them.
An Authoritative, Trusted Voice
Bob Ray Sanders worked at 四虎影院 in 1991 when Sam hosted the 四虎影院-TV program On the Record. Sanders said he was instantly jealous of Sam.
鈥淣ot because he was tall and handsome, which he is, but he had a voice that was just incredible, that was authoritative and powerful, but one that had compassion and kindness,鈥� Sanders said. 鈥淗e had this ability to relate to people, and it was like they were talking to an old friend.鈥�
John McCaa, who spent decades anchoring at WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth, said during his time as an anchor, he would always listen to Sam鈥檚 morning broadcasts to see how he was reporting the news of the day.
鈥淪ometimes in the news, there鈥檚 more than one really bad story that鈥檚 going on and in those moments I think viewers and listeners turn to a soft, calm, understanding, trusting voice,鈥� said McCaa, who's a guest host on 四虎影院鈥檚 Think. 鈥淔or me, that has always been Sam Baker.鈥�
Diligent & Consistent
One of the many things Sam鈥檚 colleagues at 四虎影院 admire about him is how consistent and diligent he is in crafting compelling stories and delivering news to listeners.
Education reporter Bill Zeeble said even though the early morning gig requires a certain level of discipline, Sam is still flexible and able to deliver the news despite unforeseen obstacles.
鈥淭hrow the pandemic into the mix, move his workplace, tell him to write and anchor from home, and see if it sounds the same,鈥� Zeeble said. 鈥淚t does.鈥�
And as digital producer Elizabeth Myong points out, he never misses an assignment. Ever.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever seen him miss a Vital Signs post since I鈥檝e been here, even if he鈥檚 going on vacation,鈥� Myong said. 鈥淚 find that kind of diligence very admirable.鈥�
A 鈥楻azor Sharp鈥�, Elegant Writer
Sam is also notorious in the newsroom for his top-notch writing and editing. Courtney Collins, senior editor for special projects, said she鈥檚 constantly in awe of it.
鈥淸His writing and editing] is razor sharp and always gets to the heart of the story,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 often go back and look at features I鈥檝e written and compare my intros to the ones Sam puts on the air. The way he cuts right to the most important information while still writing so elegantly is inspiring!鈥�
And Sylvia Komatsu, 四虎影院鈥檚 chief content and diversity officer, notes that he somehow manages to do so under tight deadlines.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a clear, elegant writer and a superb editor,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 marvel at all he juggles in the morning under deadline pressure 鈥� while still sounding so calm and reassuring on the air.鈥�鈥楬e Cares So Much鈥�
In addition to his journalistic integrity and proficiency, Eric Aasen, 四虎影院鈥檚 managing editor, said Sam also cares deeply about the work he does.
鈥淗e cares about getting the story right, he cares by holding editors accountable and questioning why we are (or are not) covering certain stories,鈥� Aasen said. 鈥淗e cares about helping make the news as clear as possible He knows morning listeners are busy getting ready to start their day and he wants to make it as easy as possible to digest what he鈥檚 telling them.鈥�
King Of One-Liners
Krys Boyd, host of 四虎影院鈥檚 Think, said many listeners probably wouldn鈥檛 know that Sam has a great sense of humor. She calls him the king of one-liners.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of a dry sense of humor, but when Sam says something everybody laughs,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great thing to know about someone who has this kind of grave, authoritative presence on the air, which is exactly what you want from your morning anchor.鈥�
Sam is also a lover of jazz and movies 鈥� which he gives the best recommendations for, by the way. He used to volunteer his time to produce the weekly series Jazz in Words and Music for Reading and Radio Resources, an agency serving the visually impaired.
A Mentor & Friend
When I moved to Dallas from Central Illinois five years ago, I sought out the local public radio station to help inform and educate me during the transition to my new home.
Sam quickly became my guide to North Texas, helping me understand the news of the day on my long commutes to and from college, putting me at ease as I started each day.
Little did I know he would later become my colleague, an incredible mentor and a friend.
I consider myself very fortunate to learn from and work beside him each morning. And I can鈥檛 thank Sam enough for all the guidance he鈥檚 provided over the years 鈥� well before he ever knew me.
On behalf of the entire 四虎影院 staff and all of your loyal listeners, congratulations on 30 years of exemplary service, Sam.
