Description
Jason Beek, the Shakers' drummer, assembled the group in 2005 after hearing about a similar project from a friend in New Mexico. The idea was to find like-minded musicians who shared a passion for the sort of old time gospel music performed by the likes of country legends Hank Williams and The Carter Family.
Other influences included hill-country bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell, Jessie Mae Hemphill and gospel greats like Rev Charlie Jackson, Rev Louis Overstreet, The Staple Singers and many more.
Beek assembled a fine group of Boston area roots musicians for the gig: Americana gem Eilen Jewell, Bluegrass cat Daniel Fram, America's bass player Johnny Sciascia and veteran violinist Daniel Kellar.