By Doug Boilesen, 2026
An Early and Life-long FOTP Member
Chaige has been exposed to history and popular culture from his earliest years. Phonographs, in particular, have always been in many of our conversations along with discussing countless phonograph connections.
As my grandson, Chaige also celebrated the history of the phonograph before he even knew that's what he was doing. I believe one of our earliest discussions was about the phonograph and that he couldn't wait to learn more (although perhaps I was reading too much into his 4-month old expression).
A 2003 discussion in which Chaige had to ponder a bit about me and what a Friend of the Phonograph was.
Chaige is smart and has always been a great listener, and I'm certain that he understood from the beginning the importance of the birthday of the Phonograph. To this day I know he continues to give it the attention it deserves.
Chaige didn't grow up with a record player in his house and probably heard an Edison cylinder phonograph record before he heard an LP.
When visiting Lincoln where he was born and raised we'd take Chaige to the Nebraska Historical Society. Not alot of phonographs on display there but the context for popular culture and inventions like the phonograph could be seen in some of its exhibits. Whenever he was with us we always tried to make curiousity and history part of the agenda.
Chaige and Great-Grandpa Axel, The Nebraska History Museum, 2007.
Chaige at the Legacy's Radio Collection Room with Great-Grandpa Axel, 2008.
Circa 1900 General Store, The Nebraska History Museum, Lincoln, NE, 2008.
Henry Fonda's Birthplace Home, The Stuhr Museum, 2009.
Nebraska State Capitol with Nona, 2009.
Stanley Hotel, Estes, CO, 2010 with Stanley Steamer.
If we were at his Aunt Bev and Uncle Ron's house then Chaige could see and hear several antique phonographs on display. His Uncle James would be where Chaige would learn about "vinyl LP's" and what higher-end recorded music systems looked and sounded like. But it was at Great-Grandpa Axel's at The Legacy Estates where Chaige would get behind the door experiences with antique phonographs and radios.
Chaige with Victor II, 2010.
The Phonograph Exhibit at the Legacy Estates with Chaige, Great-Grandpa Axel, Aunt Bev, Uncle James and Uncle Ron (2011).
I asked Chaige to create a "Friends of the Phonograph" page when he was ten or so. The following are some of Chaige's memories about the phonograph along with some examples of art that he created through the years, inspired by the phonograph or in celebration of the Phonograph's birthday.
I am a Friend of the Phonograph by Chaige Baker, 2012
When I was seven years
old I drew two pictures with phonographs for my grandpa who
is a Friend of the Phonograph and was having his annual birthday party for it.
I love Phonograph's
and I like to listen to their music. I think phonograph's
are better than radios. My favorite is the Edison Phonograph
because I just like them.
At the Denver Art Museum,
March 2010 - Drawing with snow
At the Forney Museum of Transportation, Denver 2016
Update: May 5, 2026 Chaige Jerome Baker graduates with degrees in Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Business, with Distinction.
Watch the Southeast Community College diploma presentation for Chaige Jerome Baker HERE.
