Born Norman Dale Baker in Springfield, MO. Long-time composer and musical director for Disney television and films. His first film composiing job, though, was for UA's WICKED WOMAN (1954). His next gig was as musical director for "The Mickey Mouse Club" TV series, which ran from 1955 until 1959. Other notable film credits include AQUAMANIA (1961), THE MISADVENTURES OF MERLIN JONES (1964), THE GNOME-MOBILE (1967), WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY (1968), RASCAL (1969), THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG (1975), THE SHAGGY D.A. (1976), THE DEVIL AND MAX DEVLIN and THE FOX AND THE HOUND (both 1981). He composed original music for George Pal's Puppetoons, which was re-released on THE PUPPETOON MOVIE (1987). Composing work for Disney TV shows includes "Zorro," "Texas John Slaughter," "Swamp Fox" and "Daniel Boone." He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1998, and in 1999, he was honored with the ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award.  Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Best Original Dramatic Score) 1972: NAPOLEON AND SAMANTHA 1 nomination