Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and educator Allie Jean Burbrink announces the release of her heartfelt new single, “Across The Great Divide,” a timeless Kate Wolf classic that has carried deep personal meaning throughout her musical journey.
Allie first discovered the song in 2009, at the very start of her bluegrass path and while undergoing chemotherapy. It quickly became a staple in her early performances with The Whipstitch Sallies (2010–2016), the beloved Indiana-based folk/bluegrass group that helped introduce her warm, soulful voice and versatile musicianship to audiences across the region. “I learned this Kate Wolf song when I was starting my bluegrass journey while going through chemotherapy, ” shares Allie. “I loved singing it with my first bluegrass band, The Whipstitch Sallies. It has remained a source of strength and connection for me ever since.”
With the release of “Across The Great Divide,” Allie brings new life to the folk standard, weaving her signature blend of heartfelt vocals and instrumental mastery. Known for playing guitar, clawhammer banjo, harmonica, piano, ukulele, fiddle, mandolin, upright bass, and more, Allie once again showcases her ability to honor tradition while making each song unmistakably her own.
This release follows Allie’s 2022 children’s folk album SING & PLAY ALL DAY and arrives ahead of her highly anticipated new album, BLOOM AGAIN — a 20-track collection highlighting the contributions of women in folk and early bluegrass music.“In her wonderful new project, Bloom Again, Indiana’s own Allie Jean brings listeners along as she navigates the hearts of hills, hollers, and towns large and small,” says acclaimed musician Joe Newberry. “Her rich singing sounds as at home on a Carter Family number like You Are My Flower as it does on the great Carole King song, I Feel the Earth Move. Along the way is solid banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass, and harmonica, all played by Allie Jean. Highly recommended!”
Beyond the stage and studio, Allie is a dedicated community music educator, teaching individuals and groups of all ages at renowned gatherings such as Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week, IBMA, Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering, Hindman Settlement School, and the Indiana Fiddle Frolic, where she serves as program director. She is currently expanding her work through accessible video content for learners everywhere.
With “Across The Great Divide,” Allie Jean offers not just a song, but a message of resilience, remembrance, and hope — a tribute to the power of music to heal, connect, and endure.
“Across The Great Divide” is now available on all streaming platforms
