Album Notes

Tennessee's own Janie Akin has done it again, this time with a bluegrass gospel flair! Following on the heels of 2005's well-received "Travelin' Woman" comes Bound for Glory.

Once again enlisting the formidable production skills of Grammy-winning soundman Jim Gaines, and joining forces with singer/songwriter Sandy Carroll's Bessie Blues Band, she has released a wonderful and spirited celebration of acoustic mountain gospel music, flavored with just a hint of blues and soul. With Bound for Glory, she may have actually invented a new musical genre, "Blues-Grass"!

Janie says, "Making this music was so much fun! Imagine good bluegrass gospel music being interpreted by Sandy Carroll's talented Bessie Blues Band, famous for their Delta Blues grooves, and then adding the artistry of Tennessee champion fiddler Wayne Jerrolds and the spirited mandolin of Crosswind's Kevin Keen--what a time we had! My wonderful friends added vocal harmonies, then Jim Gaines put it all together, waved his magic wand, and--voila, our "Blues-Grass" Gospel album was born!"

Janie became interested in performing gospel music as a child growing up singing in the choir from 4th through 12th grades. She sang for several years at "Cowboy Church" services, which is a long-standing tradition at the horse show competitions in which she participates. These contests typically take place both days of the weekend, and cowboy churchgoers appreciate the opportunity to worship with a lay minister at the horse show arena on Sunday mornings prior to the competition.

In her life away from music, Janie has been flying FedEx jets for almost 29 years. A captain for the past 14 years on the flagship widebody MD-11, she plans to retire this year and devote herself to her music.

Janie and the Bessie Blues Band are available for bookings. Please email riversounds@aol.com or janie@boundforglorycd.com for more information.

Don't miss Bound for Glory! It is sure to be a gem among any collector's favorites!