Album Notes

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.” McKendree Spring formed in 1969 as a drumerless four-piece folk-rock ensemble that promoter/manager Bill Graham dubbed "one of the best unknown bands in the world." McKendree Spring 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, and Kennedy Center. Not to mention venues that got them there - like My Father's Place on Long Island, the Agoras in Columbus and Cleveland, the College Coffee House Circuit, and Ohio University in Athens. On May 8th, 1972 McKendree Spring performed with Billy Preston in the first-ever rock concert at legendary New York Radio City Music Hall. The band played to a million plus people at the Washington Monument to protest war in Vietnam, and starred on the BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” in London with Cleo Lane. McKendree Spring has a knack for covering songs that sounded as if they were written by them or for them. The group is noted for its live shows that brought the crowds - and there are crowds - to their feet. Recording its 30th reunion show May 28, 2006 in front of an amazing audience of fans, their kids, and new friends at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, McKendree Spring finally snared the energy and excitement of its legendary live shows. The result is one richly buoyant album called, “Live at the Beachland Ballroom.” It was a thrill to play. And it’s a thrill to share it with you.