Cary Baker was a Chicago music writer and fanzine creator who made a good impression on R.E.M. and wound up running publicity for the band and its label, I.R.S. Records. There he also worked with the Go-Go’s, General Public, Fine Young Cannibals, the Alarm, Concrete Blonde and Timbuk 3, whom he got booked onto Saturday Night Live. After R.E.M. left the label, Baker did too, moving to Capitol Records and working with Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, the Smithereens and other big names. Eventually he formed his own firm, Conqueroo (a Chicago blues reference), and represented acts including the one that changed his life as a college student: Cheap Trick. Baker recently retired after 42 years of adventures in the publicity game, and he has stories to tell.