Singer-songwriter Anne-Marie Akin was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where she learned the value of a good story from her Momma. Combining Southern roots with a Chicago sensibility, her music is an exciting blend of country, folk, and rock.
Anne-Marie has played to sold-out crowds at the Old Town School of Folk Music and had hundreds up and dancing at Chicago area festivals. On the road Anne-Marie has sung and strummed in Austin TX, New York, Memphis, Madison, and points in between. She has opened for folk icons Holly Near, Lucy Kaplansky and Bill Quateman, and in the early part of the millennium (!) regularly appeared with her band at Chicago music clubs. Her extensive stage experience as a professional actress makes her live show dynamic and entertaining.
Anne-Marie's music has been played in Chicago on both college and commercial radio, including 93.1 WXRT. Her performances have also aired on Channel 11 WTTW, various local cable arts channels, and Channel 9 WGN.
In addition to performing, Anne-Marie is a freelance composer specializing in community-based work. For several years she served as resident songwriter for the Scrapmettle SOUL oral history theatre project in Uptown/Edgewater. She is currently working on the completion of a large-scale choral piece. Anne-Marie created the Honky Tonk Angels Ensemble at the nationally recognized Old Town School of Folk Music, and she has pioneered a successful early childhood music program for children of low-income families on Chicago’s West Side.
Her work has been described by reviewers as “so inspiring”, full of “bursts of wisdom and joy” (Nightlines) and “Some of the finest entertainment in the musical world." (Downeast Record and CD Review).
And Elvis Presley once kissed her mother's hand.