ABOUT JOHN BAUMANN: Hard-working, creative, and possessed of admirable humility and good humor, John Baumann likely would have seen success in whatever field he chose to ply his talents. Fortunately for listeners who love country music graced with a literary eye for detail and poetic charm, he made the bold choice to try his hand at singing and songwriting. A San Antonio native who has also called Amarillo, Lubbock, Fort Worth, and now Austin his home at some point or another in his young life, Baumann tinkered with the mechanics of songwriting in between college and day jobs for several years before making the leap of faith to record a debut EP West Texas Vernacular in 2012. Released with little fanfare, it still emboldened him to piece together a band and hit whatever stages would give him the chance. The personable young musician honed his craft on the way up, making connections within the business (not to mention with thousands of fans) en route to releasing his full-length 2014 album High Plains Alchemy and landing coveted opening slots at some of the state’s most revered venues. At Gruene Hall, Floore’s Country Store, and the Nutty Brown Amphitheater, among many others, he has shared the stage with red-hot headliners like the Turnpike Troubadours and the Randy Rogers Band.