Adam Baxter, like a lot of musicians, regularly wears a multitude of hats. He splits his time between the stage and the classroom. His career is divided between that of a high school band director in Central Newfoundland and a singer-songwriter who regularly criss-crosses the province. While some have said that’s one hat too many, for Baxter it’s more than a choice, it’s a passion.
“Can’t Let Go,” Adam Baxter’s latest single, is his response to anyone who has said to find success, he must first find focus. He’s not about to give up either career path.
“I’ve had people ask me if it’s overwhelming juggling both music careers, and I simply say ‘no,’ ” Baxter says. “To me, this is a labour of love and there is nothing I would rather do than making music all day and all night.”
The alt-country single is part explanatory ballad, part rallying cry, and part anthem from someone who has taken great pride in successfully finding a balance between his two passions over the last two decades and continually pushes for excellence in both.
Baxter doesn’t walk us right through the facts, though, and starts the song off by pulling the rug out from under our feet. The song begins by painting a picture of someone ready to throw in the towel, only to spell out that the only impossible thing here is his ability to walk away from music in any capacity.
“In the music industry, I’ve heard people literally say ‘you can’t be a successful artist and be a classroom teacher,” says Baxter. “It’s time to change this particular stigma. The balance is great and I feel as if I am accomplishing great things on both sides of this musical coin. Being an active artist and a teacher should be seen as a good and inspiring thing on both fronts.
“This is a love song, just this time is about my love for making music. ”
Baxter isn’t alone in this sentiment. As is his usual, “Can’t Let Go” also features musicians from across his home province of Newfoundland: St. John’s Clare Follett (backing vocals and bass), Kippen’s Stuart Gallant (organ and percussion) and Pasadena’s Paul Heppleston (electric and slide guitar). If you’re going to walk a path like the one Baxter has chosen, it’s important to have a support group—but we call them ‘bands’.