Jim Akin - Nine Days Under

STORY BEHIND THE ALBUM NINE DAYS UNDER Hello everyone! I just thought I would give a little insight to everyone about myself and why my album is called Nine Days Under. I have been playing and writing music my whole life, starting at a very young age. After playing in a few amateur bands over the years I realized that this was not where I wanted to be at this point in my life. So, I slowly got away from the music scene and concentrated on my career as a carpenter. I still played and listened to music, but did it more for self entertainment. My career as a carpenter really took off, but that all came to sudden stop one day. A little over 4 years ago I was in a horrible work related accident. I had fallen through the floor of a house, many feet down, on my head. When the ambulance left the scene that day I was not suppose to make it to the hospital which was only 5 minutes away. I was suffering from major brain and head trauma. I was bleeding on both sides of my brain and my brain was swelling. The doctors decided to place me in a medically induced coma. I was then sedated with numerous amounts of drugs to keep me in that coma which controlled the swelling in my brain. Without being induced I would have died. I was in this coma for \'nine days\'. During the time I was sedated I saw and experienced things I will never forget. The day I woke up I was unable to walk on my own or take care of myself. I had to rely on friends and family to help me get back to \'normal\'. Since my accident I have rediscovered my love for music and have decided to record my experiences. It has taken me four years to achieve this goal; of writing and playing music for my own album, and completing it. It has been a long journey, but I have learned from it and respected life for what it is. I am proud to have an album that tells the story of this time in my life. I will never forget it. My message to you is to live life at it's fullest and never be afraid to try and achieve your dreams. Posted by Jim Akin at 4:39 AM 0 comments MY MUSICAL INFLUENCES RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, NICKEL BACK, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, ALICE IN CHAINS, LINKIN PARK, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, DISTURBED, METALLICA, PANTEREA, SOUND GARDEN, early PEARL JAM, CHEVELLE, ROB ZOMBIE, NINE INCH NAILS, DAVE MATHEWS BAND, COLLECTIVE SOUL, COLDPLAY, COUNTING CROWS, INCUBUS, JANES ADDICTION, PIXIES, LENNY KRAVITZ, MATCH BOX TWENTY, PRIMUS, SMASHING PUMPKINS, STABBING WESTWARD, SUBLIME, U2, and my early influences.......................AC/DC, AEROSMITH, BOB MARLEY, THE DOORS, ELTON JOHN, JAMES BROWN, LED ZEPPELIN, MUDDY WATERS, BEATLES, WINGS,PINK FLOYD, ROLLING STONES, VAN HALEN, JIMI HENDRIX, and many more both old and new. I would like to think because of my wide range of influences that I have come up with a sound that stands on it's own from rock, metal, pop, alternative, soft, to classical rock and many more. I hopefully have created a sound that not only stands on it's own but makes me unique from all thee others. Posted by Jim Akin at 3:41 AM 0 comments Tuesday, July 22, 2008 THE SONGS 01.LITTLE THINGS This song was inspired by my accident to help people realize that it's the little things in life that are taken for granted. After my accident a lot of the things that we perform everyday were taken away from me for a short period in my life. I had to work and learn those simple skills again. When things like this are taken away from you, you learn to appreciate them a lot more. Never take for granted the simple things in life you never know when they could be taken away. I know I did, don't learn the hard way like I had to. I give you the lyrics to \'LITTLE THINGS\' Listen to what I have to say your living life wrong today Life is simple can't you see take a good look at reality that's right, that's right, that's right that's right Take a hit, you shouldn't care turn your cheek, make thee others aware open up a door everything is grand smile at a face, just because you can Little things will make you feel alright you know you should just because you can It's the little little things in life these things will make ya, make ya feel alright take a chance, take a chance with me take a small look at reality We should always try to be come on up and let it go let you inner side show you know you have to just break free you know you feel it there let thee others know you care and now everything is going to be alright take that mask off and let them know who's there. It's the little little things in life know these little things will make you feel alright come on up and take a chance with me and now this is thee end, thee end take your life and make it what it is. That's right 02.HIDDEN This song is very personal to me, and could quite possibly be personal to you. Because of my brain injury a lot of the symptoms that I was dealing with were hidden to the eye. When people I knew, and didn't know saw me, and learned what happened to me, they didn't realize what I was dealing with because they couldn't see it. I felt that a lot of it was taken lightly because to the naked eye I looked perfectly ok, when inside I was hurting deeply both mentally and physically. It's hard not to take something serious when it is not evidently visible to the eye. This could relate to anything; depression, illness, addiction, or ACCIDENT. Never take an issue lightly that is not visibly clear until you learn more about it! After all this I give you the lyrics to \'HIDDEN\'. Hidden My mind isn't right there's something wrong, there's something wrong When you look in the screens, you see your face and disease You do not like what you see, ( why can't you feel it) Because what happened to me, my eyes are open to see the black the white the right and wrong, (and now I see it) Break out. I think. Up and down, I don't want this feeling Break out in a fit of rage I think I'm going insane up down and all around again You don't want this feeling Hidden to the eye, to thee eye to thee eye I've got this pain that I can't describe Hidden to the eye, to thee eye to thee eye you look at me and you think I'm alright step off that block and look up into my mind just try to look up into my mind, and on and on again There is a clog in your vein, making you wrongly insane you scream and curse out your name, and now you feel it Look close right into my mind, you know that you will find release that anger inside, it starts to boil, it starts to boil, yeah! Hidden to the eye, to thee eye to thee eye you look at me and you think I'm alright step off that block and look up into my mind don't you think, don't you think, don't you think you think I'm alright, like that, you know, ya know Your always searching for the bigger things in life, you'll see Just be patient and grateful for your health, wake up and see Open up to me and you know that you'll be, And on and on again When you look in the screens, you see your face and disease You do not like what you see, get up now, get up, get up Because what happened to me, my eyes are open to see the black the white the right and wrong, yeah Break out in a fit of rage I think I'm going insane up down and all around again don't you want this feeling and touch the ceiling and on and on again yeah! 03.JB Question, do you have a son or daughter in your life that is full of life and energy? Well I do and she one adventure after another. When I made this song I hoped to create music that was full of life, like her. I hope you think I accomplished that. I give you the lyrics to JB. Emma Marie is my J.B, (Check it out, you'll always have my thoughts and feelings) J.B. what you mean to me I see your soul out of control and it reflects off me. Your presence and your will and right to live gives me the patience and the power and the want to give. (What's wrong with wanting to give?) Even though I made you, had to have you see the qualities you have prayed came from me when you hear me say what I say to you it came from my heart and every word is true. J.B. try to be everything you'll ever want to be, you'll ever want to be stop and see the good and bad in everything and everyone and take it in piece by piece. J.B J.B. try to be everything you want to be take it in, take it in, take it in piece by piece, piece by piece Learn to give You bring out my good you bring out my pride the look and smile on your face makes me want to cry. The energy you have is sometimes out of control. Wish I bottle it up and use it for my myself J.B. try to be everything you'll ever want to be, you'll ever want to be stop and see the good and bad in everything and everyone and take it in piece by piece. J.B J.B. try to be everything you want to be Even though I made you, had to have you see the qualities you have I prayed came from me when you hear me say what I say to you it came from my heart and every word is true. Check this out 04.GRIND This is really simple, I know I bust my ass everyday and try to make a living to support my love ones. As I am sure you do to. Whether it be swinging a hammer, driving a truck, pushing a pen or dealing with the public, we all work the GRIND! With that here are the lyrics. With that here are the lyrics. Even when you hurt yourself you always stood up to be the working class is here to say we give a damn everyday and every way, that's why, that's why I'm here to say Work'n the grind, making it mine breaking my back and my shoulder in time I never new what, I always new why Wish I would have listened the first time Now it's time, To walk the line Work'n my body, work'n my mind walking like a soldier everyday of my life I wanted to see the truth in reality and make my father proud in what I became to be Everything, everyone Just break free, become one Work'n the grind, making it mine breaking my back and my shoulder in time I never new what, I always new why Wish I would have listened the first time Now it's time, To walk the line Everything, everyone Just break free, become one Everything and everyone listen to what I've done I've struggled for the best and now I have won come on up and just believe in yourself and all you dreams it's as simple as a leaf falling from the trees. Now it's time walk the line Now it's time walk the line Work'n the grind, making it mine breaking my back and my shoulder in time I never new what, I always new why Wish I would have listened the first time Everything, Everyone I can't take this anymore my body's dying. 05.REALITY I know that after my accident I looked at things differently. I saw all the beauty that this world has to offer. Look around there is a lot there right in front of your face. Open your eyes and appreciate it. \'It is as simple as a child's mind. If we could only be, just think if we could be\'....................The beauty of reality! The lyrics.... Life is sweet, life is precious as it can be It's in front of your face, that's right, that's right You look to deep, you look to hard for the answers There's an easy way out You gotta make it, Reach out and take it Try not to fake it, Try to keep your sanity It's the beauty of reality It's the sun the earth the sky and sea Reaching out and take a bite and see For the beauty of reality Reality Try not to fake it just take it Open your eyes to the reality now It's as simple as a child's mind If we could only be, just think if we could be. The gifts of life are so simple and pure So let yourself believe It's the beauty of reality It's the sun the earth the sky and sea Reaching out and take a bite and see (Refrain)Even though you gotta be come on up and let me see sun thee earth the sky and sea beauty of reality Reality, Yeah come on Try not to fake it just take it Open your eyes to the reality now Step up to the plate, you always wanna be, you always, always had to see you always wanna be You always wanted to be the one the set yourself free reach out and start to believe, just start to believe The simple things in life will always be there to see you got to set yourself free Just keep your just keep your just keep your sanity You know the answers to the questions start to spread it you got to set yourself free, just set yourself free you learn to give instead of take you got to make it There's an easy way out You gotta make it, Reach out and take it Try not to fake it, Try to keep your sanity keep your sanity keep your sanity for the beauty of reality. 06.TO BE ALIVE This I would have to say is one of my favorites, it's such a simple concept, just read the lyrics. I hope you get the picture. Looking high Looking low Somethings out there I know Everyone and everything goes though pain it's all unseen here we are face to face so much different, and yet still the same We start to quiver, we start to see and every once in awhile, we'll see a ship jump aboard. All start to drift \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' start to realize Every once in awhile well see a ship jump aboard, we'll all drift come aboard this ship, come aboard this ship we'll all start to drift \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' Every once in awhile well see a ship jump aboard, we'll all drift, we'll all start to shift jump aboard this ship, jump aboard this ship \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' Start to realize Every once in awhile well see a ship jump aboard, we'll all drift, we'll all start to shift jump aboard this ship, we'll all start to shift Yeah we'll all start to shift \'to be alive\' \'to be alive\' 07.ETCHED IN STONE I hope that everyone in their life, at one time, falls in love. This song explains this time in my life. I hope this song touches others who are in love as well. I give you Etched in Stone, the lyrics. There's something I'd like to say about a girl I love in a major way your cute your wild without you I'm nothing just like a leaf in the wind Our life together has grown and means so much and this is where I begin. I remember the day we met. It was the day I knew that my life was set I made you smile I made you laugh I knew I loved you all the way around my back We were so different but that's why it made sense that we were meant to be The hardest days were the 9 days I left you but now I'm back here to be. Be there for you you be there for me be there for the one we like to call J.B. But now I'm ready to open up and spread my wings don't be afraid take my hand and let's believe Etched in stone I promise you my heart my love my soul And now I sit here and hold my head up high knowing that I'll always have you by my side we been thru so much but their so much more to see we've only taken a slice out of reality. Out of reality Etched in stone I promise you my heart my love my soul you'll never be alone you'll have my thoughts my life always just to hold Etched in Stone Etched in Stone 08.UNKNOWN At the time of my accident, when I first reached the emergency room, I was sedated into a medically induced coma. I was in the coma for \'nine days\', I experienced and saw a lot of things. This song explains what I saw, and why I feel that I am still alive today. The lyrics to \'UNKNOWN\'. Alright One day I woke up to a place I never seen it was a cold feeling that I never ever felt be before I laid still and then I wondered what am I gonna do what am I gonna say to the man I never ever seen before I asked to leave but then he shut the door he said go back to the place that you were before back to you family, your life, your body, and your mind and your soul never wanna go back up to the unknown turn around, let me see, even though you gotta be treating it like a disease, racing to reality cut me open, let me in, wipe my tears, cause I sin take the wheel try to steer keep me focused when your near feeling good, feeling strong see your faces all day long wake me up I'm back again, thanks to you and all my friends hope I'm never back again Never back again, Never back again I'll never look at life the same way I'll never be the same I know what's here I know I've got to go to a higher place and not to the unknown Hold it up one more time here I am, I'm feeling fine now I can't hold back my tears now you'll understand my fear hey come on, these are true things that I've seen, yeah, yeah keep me here, keep me strong this is why I write this song Here I am, ready to take on what I see here I go, going to grab it tight and believe, and believe never wanna go back up to the unknown gonna keep my mind my body and my soul. This is why I had to sing this song to my friends and family. 09.BLACK-N-WHITE I leave this song up in the air, to let you turn it into whatever you want it to be. I know I hold dearly what it means to me and I hope you find something in there for you. The lyrics to \'BLACK - N - WHITE\'. Walk'n through the forest Walk'n through the trees Up so young, just like a good disease Even when we got you we had to break you free Free from yourself you made us both believe Black and White your out of sight Black and White your out of sight Break free let go, walking tall walking slow Chocolate specks in your hair, watch you jump though the air, tear it up, chew it down, make you look like a clown start to feel a little loose acting like a little moose Black and White your out of sight Black and White your out of sight Sometimes life needs a little cool that cool for us has always just been you every time we get a little down we look at you it turns our frowns upside down life is short and life is sweet without you in it life would not be complete Get it funky What the heck, What the heck is going on Such a freak, oh no love for us we'll never know hold you dear, hope you know hold you high, just to show getting old getting wise you are with us till you die Black and White your out of sight Black and White your out of sight One more tale just to say, you're the best everday moving on to bigger things you're the best I'm proud to say Black and White your out of sight Black and White your out of sight Sometimes life needs a little cool that cool for us has always just been you every time we get a little down we look at you it turns our frowns upside down life is short and life is sweet without you in it life would not be complete Get it funky What the heck, What the heck is going on 10.WAKE UP Another song that is too personal to explain, but I will let the lyrics speak for themselves. WAKE UP. Just wake up that's right Just wake up Wake up and start to cry The color of the leaves, the color of the sky Wake up and wonder why See the good in those you always did despise Life is like a trial time to compromise Always swimming against the stream Being so damn negative is easier to be Like a monkey swinging through the trees Always giving into hate is like a bad disease Treat your thoughts like I slug give them a chance to breath Just wake up that's right Just wake up Wake up to a song worth while Dancing to a beat grooving to a smile Wake up to a friend in time Never take for granted theirs is yours and mine Wake up and wonder why See the good in those you always did despise Life is like a trial time to compromise Just wake up That's right Just wake up Just wake up That's right Like a monkey swinging through the trees Being so damn negative is easier to be Always swimming against the stream Always giving in to hate is like a bad disease Treat your thoughts like a slug give them a chance to breath Just wake up That's right Wake up and start to cry The color of the leaves the color of the sky Wake up and wonder why See the good in those you always did despise Life is like a trial time to compromise Just wake up, that's right Wake up you gotta wake up you gotta wake JUST WAKE UP 11.HERE TO SHOW This was a short poem I wrote during the "healing time" of my accident. I wanted something strong, heavy, and to the point. I hope I have achieved it. Here are the lyrics to \'HERE TO SHOW\'. I'm here to show Here to show Here to show How much longer must I wait Without the wait there is no fate The pain I feel I can't describe It's a gift I gotten kept inside Oh so ever long ago I walked a path so all alone Pushed and shoved until I broke Made me the man I'm here to show Here to show Here to show Here to show Here to show a wind a chime A leaf a tree a word a mime Here to show a frown a smile a little puppy a home worth while Want to show a drum a beat A song for all of you to keep Here to show a drum a beat a song for all of you to keep Here to show 12.WITHOUT THAT This song is full of short, hard phrases that I have put together because of the morals that my parents have taught me. It is heavy and in your face. The lyrics to \'WITHOUT THAT\' . Strength without a weakness is to live and not die. Open up your eyes and start to realize Take a step back getting close to the edge . Your tongue is like a weapon realize what you've said You know that you'll be. True to yourself and the rest of society. Everything that you see. Is not always true like the egos from beneath. Is not always true like the hatred that some breath. Got to have pride, to believe Without that you're nothing can't you see . You've got to have pride to believe. Without that you're nothing can't you see. Without that you're nothing can't you see. Set a good example for the youth of society, society, that's right. Want it and to need it are just two different things. Ignorance is guilt and guilt is not for free Motivate your mind and let the others believe. Look'em in the face and never walk away. Up into their face, don't walk away Got to have pride to believe. Without that you're nothing can't you see Got to have pride to believe Without that you're nothing can't you see. Without that you're nothing can't you see. You know let's go you know, 4321 Walk straight, bring it to me. Stand strong, got to let you're pride breath. Become, one with yourself. Hold back, that evil beneath, that evil beneath. You know you want it, you know you need it, you have to have it Open up and bring it back to me With out that Walk straight stand tall, hold back that evil beneath Walk straight stand tall, hold back that evil beneath You're soul gives you control and the key to you're mind Open up you're eyes and start to realize. Everything that you see, will soon become fuel for you're thoughts on society. And then become the facts for the rest of humanity Got to have pride, to believe, without that you're nothing can't you see. Without that you're nothing can't you see. Turn the page change you're life just like you want it to be. 13.PEBBLES Pebbles, my second daughters nickname, who from the day she was born looked at life a little differently. She is unique and also as full of life as JB in a different way. Another song I hope you can connect to with a child of your own. The lyrics to \'PEBBLES\'. Some pebbles they fall from the sky, where do they go and where do they hide Every so often you'll see them shine, shine from that gift they got so high It's a gift to look at life that way, good or bad your smile it shines through me Don't loose that gift of simplicity, I prayed so hard that part of that gift that it came from me Your special, your great You're my strength that keeps me straight I'm loving you, your loving me I want you to see what I see Some day you'll be, the person that I dream't you up to be Till then, your with me now And I'll treasure every moment and how You look at life so great, you're my guide through life that keeps us straight THAT KEEPS US STRAIGHT Pebbles walk through the sand, I picked you up when I was a young man I see you grow I see you shine, you're my special pebble and you'll always be mine Never loose that gift that I see in you You've got to hold it tight sometimes fight believe in you Never forget about tomorrow Your laugh and your smile, make your mother oh so strong and proud We look at you, you look at me For sure we made you and JB Your precious in so many ways, we hold you close with in us everyday Pebbles walk through the sand, I picked you up when I was a young man I see you grow I see you shine, you're my special pebble and you'll always be mine Never loose that gift that I see in you You've got to hold it tight sometimes fight believe in you Never forget about tomorrow Your laugh and your smile makes your mother oh so strong and proud we look at you, you look at me for sure we made you and JB your precious in so many ways we hold you close with in us every day Pebbles walk through the sand, I picked you up when I was a young man I see you grow I see you shine, you're my special pebble and you'll always be mine Never loose that gift that I see in you You've got to hold it tight sometimes fight believe in you Never forget about tomorrow Pebbles walk through the sand, I picked you up when I was a young man I see you grow I see you shine, you're my special pebble and you'll always be mine Pebbles walk through the sand, I picked you up when I was a young man Never loose that gift that I see in you You've got to hold it tight sometimes fight believe in you Never forget about tomorrow Never forget about tomorrow 14.ANGELS During the time I was making this album I lost some of my family members. One that was very dear to me. My aunt died of brain cancer at a fairly young age and it took our whole family by surprise. When she was still with us she would always bring life and happiness to the room, wherever she went. She was my mother's best friend and they were two peas in a pod. I hope this song touches anyone who has lost someone in their life and helps us to remember that we all know some ANGELS. The lyrics to \'ANGELS\'. Hey, have you ever known someone in life Some one who always fills the room with light Their the glue that just will always hold these families Always just making it able for all of them to breath Their a gift from all above That's why were here to say that WE ALL KNOW SOME ANGELS I KNOW SOME ANGELS Hey, now that we have them we need to hold them tight Don't take for granted the gift from up so high Their the glue that just will always keep us walking straight Don't forget learn from WE NEED TO HAVE FAITH That's why were here to say that WE ALL KNOW SOME ANGELS I know, I know, I know, I KNOW SOME ANGELS I KNOW SOME ANGELS This song is dedicated to all the ones we love This song is dedicated to Mama A. And Auntie J. I LOVE U AND TO ALL THE ONES THAT WE LOVE 15.THANK YOU This song is dedicated to all of my family and friends who were there for me in my time of need and to anyone who is touched by and appreciates my music. THANK YOU! Here I go I'm going to say this one more time I don't know what to do except my time I spend all night long thinking what I have done to deserve this gift I was given from all of ya. I laid inside my body and I saw all of you your faces gave me the power to prove all to you. Thank you, for the life I'm living, yeah Thank you, Thank you for being there when I needed you, yeah Thank you, come on now, I'm thanking you tell me if there's anything that I can do. I tried to make it Break it Shake it Even though your hearts all made it now I have to make you learn that my heart is so concerned I cry so hard everyday try to make it the right way now I have to face the burn now I feel my life is good now I would of could of should now it's time to face my fears raise our cups and chant a cheer even when I had to learn that life was precious then I turn to all of you and all of my piers Thank you, thank you, for being there when I needed you yeah Tell me if their's anything I can do Thank you, Come on now I'm thanking you Tell me if there's anything that I can do. Thank you, all I want to do is thank you If their was one more thing and that is THANK YOU.

1) Little Things
2) Hidden
3) JB
4) Grind
5) Reality?
6) Reality
7) To Be Alive
8) Etched in Stone
9) Unknown
10) Black-N-White
11) Wake Up
12) Here to Show
13) Without That
14) Pebbles
15) Angels
16) Thank You