An Interview With Road Less Travelled: Jeff Parker and Anne McKennon

Some of the staff here at Monahan's Song of the Week were engaged in a little travel out of Jacksonville's International Airport (JIA,)  a few weeks ago. JIA was recently rated one of the nicest airports in the U.S. Hard not to believe that when you walk in to the terminal and can hear a duo like Road Less Travelled. We caught a set and proceeded to interview them. As their website points out, they are a Jacksonville, acoustic collaboration of Jeff Parker and Anne McKennon.  Their debut CD, "Treading Live" is self-recorded and available at performances.  Both singer-songwriters and life-long musicians, Jeff and Anne traveled different paths to get here.  Jeff brings strong experience on guitar, mandolin and vocals with an interest in flat and finger picking and improvisational work, particularly in folk and bluegrass.  Anne delivers rapid flexibility on 7 flutes and vocals with time spent in classical, Celtic and folk genres. 

Jeff: What was the first song you learned on guitar?

That would be "Rocky Raccoon" by the Beatles taught to me by my good friend Doug Abrahamson. It was the first song I played in a concert 1 year after I learned it at my brothers graduation ceremony along with "Cowgirl In The Sand" by Neil Young.

Anne: What was the first song you ever performed live?

In folk music, it was the flute lead on "Moondance" by Van Morrison.  I played it with the host band at an open mic & landed my first job in a band.

Both: How did you come up with your name Road Less Traveled?

Jeff: That was Anne's great idea. 

Anne: It is an adaptation of part of "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost "...Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Both: What was the coolest venue you ever played together?

Jeff:  I say Culhane's Irish Pub... What say you?

Anne: Toss-up between Culhane's & Meehan's.  Both have friendly charm & audiences interested in music.  Culhane's has a great stage.  Meehan's is in historic St. Augustine.

Both: What advice would you give someone who is just now starting to write and perform in North Florida?

Jeff: Thats a tough one...... Ummmm get an agent.   Don't sell yourself short. Copyright your material as soon as possible.  Do short sets at first so you don't wear yourself out.  

Anne: Pay attention - the live music environment is changing constantly.  Listen to your audience, your venues and above all, your own instincts.  Add tenacity and the copyright office.

Both: Who are your greatest influences?

Jeff:  Neil Young, Eagles, Jackson Browne, Pink Floyd, Loggins and Messina, James Taylor, John Denver, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, Bluegrass, folk, some country it's a long list and I might as well throw in there John McGloughlin and Santana. 

Anne: Bach/Telemann/Baroque Era, The Chieftans, Paul Simon, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Brightman, Cole Porter & Mary Ellen Potter (flute teacher in high school).

Both: You have a CD out called "Treading Live", what are your favorite cuts from that?        

Jeff: Brothers Keeper and Parkers Jig/McKennon's Reply and Promise.

Anne: Brother's Keeper & Sherwood Lullaby (for my nieces)

Road Less Traveled

Jeff Parker & Anne McKennon

Email: RLTSound@yahoo.com

Website: www.RLTSound.com

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