Fran Mckendree, vocals and guitar. Whenever possible, Fran enlists the help of Charles Milling, bass, guitars and vocals. On occasion he is able to persuade Lindsay Blount, Eliot Wadopian [Free Planet Radio], Rob Sabino and Chuck Hamilton [The Waybacks] to join him for special events.
Fran is also a founding member of Mckendree Spring. The band recently had a 30 year reunion concert in Cleveland which has led to the release of McKendree Spring 'Live at the Beachland Ballroom.' He was thrilled to reunite with Martin Slutsky and Michael Dreyfuss for this event. The band is looking into doing more dates this spring. Tune into XM radio's 'Mixed Bag' for excerpts and a 'live' in studio with Pete Fornatale to come.
Influences
Pete Seeger for his ability to get trees to sing along, Peter Gabriel for his WOMAD vision and generosity, Bob Dylan for his mystical painting, Jane Siberry [Issa] for her willingness to go to deeper places, Mark Heard, John Bell, Kathy Galloway, J. Philip Newell, Barbara Brown-Taylor and Michael Battle for their ability to write about the faith journey in ways that speak such bare bones truth.
Charles Milling for ALWAYS finding the right groove, Eric Murrell for doing it right, Lindsay Blount for singing 'Hallelujah' one midnight on a cold New Year's eve in a way that transcended time and space, and the 'unplugged band' at SJ's... Adam, Nick, Tess.
"If one starts with doctrines the arguments are endless….But when one comes to the level of interior experience, that is where the meeting takes place….It is in this cave of the heart that the meeting has to take place. That is the challenge."
Father Bede Griffith, Benedictine monk.
Fran McKendree was born in Springfield, MA. He grew up in rural Connecticut where he played the clarinet [sparingly] and later began to play guitar and reluctantly sing. In high school, a trio he’d joined won a local talent contest, first prize being a slot on a folk music radio show, and he was hooked.
He began his professional career playing at coffee houses in and around Syracuse University, and after moving to the Glens Falls area of NY in 1969, formed "McKendree Spring," a drumerless four-piece folk-rock ensemble that the legendary promoter/manager Bill Graham dubbed "one of the best unknown bands in the world." The band toured with some of the most exciting artists of the 70's and shared the stage with performers such as the Everly Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention, Elton John, Ike & Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, the Byrds, Jethro Tull, and Van Morrison. McKendree Spring played various memorable venues as well, including Carnegie Hall, the Fillmore East, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and with Billy Preston, the first ever rock concert at Radio City Music Hall.
In the McKendree Spring exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in Cleveland, Ohio is an attribution that says: “Experimental and innovative, McKendree Spring mixed blues, folk and country with a progressive musical vision. Over the course of seven albums, they highlighted the songs of singer/guitarist Fran McKendree and offered up unique interpretations of songs by Bob Dylan, Neil Young and James Taylor. McKendree Spring built much of its reputation as a live act by featuring the virtuosity of guitarist Marty Slutsky and violinist Mike (Doc) Dreyfuss.”
The group eventually disbanded in 1975, and each of the members went on to pursue varied careers.
Fran was signed the next year to Arista Records, where he recorded several singles. He had moved to Toronto during the mid 70’s, and the Arista releases garnered considerable radio play in Canada.
He was, however, finding this an increasingly frustrating time in the music business and, deciding to take some time for reflection, Fran and his wife, Diana, moved from New York City to a small town on Cape Cod, MA in 1979. Emerging from this soul searching period he began in 1984 to work under the aegis of the Episcopal church, where he has continued to develop and explore his calling; doing concerts, as music leader and coordinator for conferences, keynote presenter, mentor, and workshop leader. He has released several CDs, as well as producing recordings for other artists at his studio in Hendersonville, NC, where he and Diana now live.
Additionally, Fran is co-founder of McKendree-Karr Management, Enterprises, LLC. Along with his colleage, Kathe Karr, he manages the innovative and unique group Ménage. More about this fantastic new group is available at www.themenage.com or at www.myspace.com/menage.
What a great time at the Ballroom last night! Fran, thank you so much for the wonderful oppurtunity of getting the chance to share a stage with you. I will never forget it. You rock. Love, Becky
FRAN! I'm just telling folks about the MCKENDREE SPRING CONCERT, May 25th, 2008, at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. It''ll be even better than last time in 2006!! I'm psyched! MIKEY!
Great to be in contact! Jane Davis will be thrilled to finally be ONLY a click away, she's just a click away ... Warmest regards from Club Meb, USA, where the coffee's always fresh (or we pitch it), and we'll leave the light on 4ya! Faithful regards, Larry & the Mebanaires
