Artists Registry

Daniel Baird

Elkhart TN United States

http://eagleflies.us
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Shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Danette Baird began writing the words and music to an anthem commemorating what happened that day. While the first verse and chorus had come rather easily, finishing the song was proving a bit difficult, so Danette asked her brother, Daniel Mark Baird, if he would be willing to help. Daniel caught a vision for the song, and after contributing lyrics to a second verse and bridge, set it to rousing music.

Thus was born “The Eagle Still Flies,” which was recorded as a demo in 2002. However, nothing was done to promote or release the song, which sat idle for a number of years.

But recently, with the tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaching, Danette and Daniel decided that the time might be right to do something with the song. So with the help of veteran Nashville producer and studio musician Shane Keister, the brother-sister duo began working on a new recording, with Daniel lending his voice to the project.

“Danette and I really believe that the song says something powerful about the resilience of the American spirit,” said Daniel, “and we think that it will resonate with countless Americans.”

Added Danette: “The events of 9/11 were traumatic on many levels, and clearly there’s healing that still needs to take place. We hope the song can be part of that.”

“The Eagle Still Flies” was recorded in Nashville, Tenn., between October, 2010, and February, 2011, and was performed by co-author Daniel Mark Baird. Instrumental tracks were recorded at the Tracking Room, and vocals were recorded at 24.

Baird credits Shane Keister, a veteran studio musician and producer, with giving the project a strong sense of direction. “He had a vision for the record and brought the right people together,” Baird said.

Daniel Mark Baird makes his living as a computer systems administrator, but he’s been interested in music since an early age. “I vaguely recall being placed on the hood of our old Ford station wagon in a restaurant parking lot somewhere and being encouraged to sing,” says Daniel. “I was probably four years old, and there wasn’t much of an audience, but someone told me to sing—so I did.”

As a teenager, Daniel learned to play the guitar and began to write songs. In 1995, at their annual American Eagle Awards, the Country Music Associations of America named him Songwriter of the Year for his penning of “Heart Donor.” Says Daniel of his writing: “I can’t just sit down and write a song. Something has to inspire, and it’s almost always real life.”

Although he is only a part-time musician, Daniel has done a number of public performances at churches, weddings and elsewhere. “One benefit of being the preacher’s kid was that I could pretty much have the stage whenever I wanted,” he says with a laugh. One notable performance was singing “Break This Chain”—a song that his sister Danette penned to highlight the issue of domestic violence—at a Tony Dungy “Uncommon Leadership” event at the Plainfield Correctional Facility near Indianapolis on Nov. 17, 2010.

When Daniel is not troubleshooting computer problems or doing something related to music, he is likely to be found out on the roads. Both a cyclist and a runner, he has completed 19 marathons, including the Boston Marathon twice, and he recorded a personal best of 2:56:03 at the 2008 Columbus Marathon.