Creating an Experience: Shannon Walton Baker

Shannon Walton Baker

Lead Tour Guide - Backbeat Tours

As the Lead Tour Guide at Backbeat Tours, Shannon Walton Baker is upbeat, accommodating, and knowledgeable about Memphis. In this role, she has also learned to think on her feet. One of her customers described the way Shannon handled a power outage in downtown Memphis mid-tour: "While on our tour, the power went out in downtown Memphis, and Shannon was able to make adjustments on the fly to accommodate our group. She had the experience and knowledge to route our group to the best location to watch the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. Excellent tour and fabulous tour guide!" 

Meet the 2023 Pick Awards Winner for Tour Guides, Shannon Walton Baker!

How did you get into the hospitality industry?

I was a college program student for Disney, and then I was a character actor for Universal Studios Hotel. I thought telling stories about my hometown seemed like it would be really fun. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be on stage. This work definitely scratches that itch. 

What is your favorite part about the industry?

Honestly, I love learning about Memphis and sharing Memphis stories. I ask if people knew that Piggly-Wiggly, the first-ever grocery store, began here in Memphis, and they’re like get out! Or I’ll ask if they know that Bruno Mars recorded “Uptown Funk” here in Memphis, and they had no idea. There is something that everyone from across the world is going to know, and they're not going to know it started here in Memphis. 

What are your top three favorite places to visit in Memphis?

I really love the Rock and Soul Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum. Those are two amazing museums that I really like to bring up. And then the third one is kind of a toss up between seeing a show at the Orpheum, or visiting the Listening Lounge at Eight & Sand in the Central Station Hotel. 

What's something you learned in this position that has changed your life for the better?

Honestly, on history tours like the ones I do, everyone wants to be wowed by a good story. You can make it like a classroom lecture, but your guests are not going to retain it. What I've learned best is to be entertaining, but also to just be passionate about what we’re talking about.  

What is some advice you would give to someone who is new into the industry in my position, which is different from, like, hotels or restaurants?

Learn everything. Find what makes you interested, because if you're interested in it, you're going to make your guests interested too. 

Thank you for sharing your passion with us, Shannon!