LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – In the true spirit of Christian giving, Kentucky singer/songwriter Jessica Elam is making A Willing Sacrifice. A fresh new gospel voice from Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, Elam is donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of her new CD – A Willing Sacrifice –to a relief fund established to help the people of the community rebuild after a tornado destroyed towns, homes, and businesses on March 2.
“It’s the least I can do for the Appalachian community,†says Elam. “There but for the grace of God go I.â€
The tornados, which began in Menifee County, Kentucky, travelled sixty miles across the state, and thirty-five miles into West Virginia. West Liberty, West Virginia, was totally wiped out by the tornado. The twister also damaged 3500 structures in Morgan County Kentucky alone…most of which were total losses. Elam’s hometown of Salyersville – about twenty-five miles from West Liberty – and Hager Hill in Johnson County Kentucky were also hit hard by the tornado. Jessica’s is still involved with the effort in helping out her friends and neighbors.
In addition to helping those affected by the tornado, Elam wants to spread the word about her heavenly new Gospel CD.
Deeply personal and inspirational, Elam’s music is all about life and love; hope and faith. A Willing Sacrifice is a mix of contemporary Christian pieces, a blend of Bluegrass and Southern Gospel styles. All of the songs on A Willing Sacrifice – the artist’s second release – were composed and are performed by Elam.
While Elam hails from the south, her music has universal appeal. One Nation Under God (America) – the third cut on the new CD – recently spent six weeks on JB’s Top Ten Indie Gospel Songs chart, where it was number one for a week.
“Having spent most of my life in the church, I was raised on Southern Gospel and Bluegrass Gospel,†says Elam. “While many things have changed in Kentucky, the music still rings loud and clear from that little Appalachian church my grandfather built over fifty years ago.â€