Fran McKendree: Home
WELCOME! If you're visiting today after reading the David Crumm interview with me, thanks so much for stopping in. And, if you're a returning friend and didn't see the interview and subsequent stories of the Crumms' 9000 mile journey around the U.S. this summer, please visit David's wonderful site: www.readthespirit.com.
While you're here, don't forget to sign the guestbook.
ReadtheSpirit interview! www.readthespirit.com
Journalist and author David Crumm and his 21 year old son, Benjamin, are nearing the end of a 40 day, 9000 mile journey around the US. They have been documenting this journey on the www.readthespirit.com web magazine that David has created and hosts. They've talked with some fascinating folks; Marcus Borg[author of 'Meeting Jesus Again, for the first Time'] and the Rev. Canon Marianne Borg, poet Rafael Gonzales, Tony Tran, activist member of the 10,000 member Vietnamese community in east New Orleans, Peace Corps veteran Barbara Mori, and many others.
Last week their journey brought them to our home here in western NC. We had a great visit, and it was wonderful to hear more stories, first hand. The interview David did with me appeared on the www.readthespirit.com site on Monday, August 30. It also appeared on the same day in the Detroit Free Press at; www.FreeP.com in a continuing link from the front page, upper right corner, called "American Journey." It will remain on the readthespirit site, but will only be available on the FreeP.com site this week.
The interview series is insightful, courageous and fun. I'm grateful to have met and spent time with David and Benjamin, and wish them traveling mercies for the rest of the journey.
There are many ways we can each support the people of Haiti and Pakistan over the next weeks, months and years. Episcopal Relief and Development and Doctors Without Borders continue to be tireless advocates for the survivors and their families. We all need to be generous - wherever our hearts may guide us to contribute. George Clooney issued a wonderful challenge at the EMMY Awards when he said [paraphrasing] there must me some bright person out there who can figure out a way to keep the focus of attention on the places where help is needed most. In the meanwhile, please give as generously as you can, for the need is great.
http://www.er-d.org/ or www.doctorswithoutborders.org
'Awake' is here! My new cd is NOW available at CDBaby.com. Digital downloads are available, as well, but the cover art and package on this one are so beautiful, you may want to order the hard copy. I've uploaded to the music page a couple more tunes for you to preview.
One of the quieter meditation pieces is 'Watch, O Watch.' The lyric was written by my dear friend John Philip Newell and David Poole wrote the music.. thanks, both, for a beautiful song. Lindsey Blount sings the harmonies and Duncan Wickel is the violinist. 'Sing a New Church' has really incredible lyrics set to one of my favorite tunes of all time. Tracia Johnson, Lindsey Blount and Charles Milling singing on this one.
Click the button below to purchase a hard copy or download. Thanks!
McKendree Spring Recording
We did it!! Just waiting now for Casey Wood to get the mixes done and mastered. More on the 'news' page here, and on the McKendree Spring facebook page. We're having a 'name the project' contest..prizes to be determined!
Five songs recorded. They'll be released as singles on CDBaby.com. If you subscribe to XM/Sirius, please give them a call or email them to request...we usually get played on 'Deep Tracks' or 'The Village.'
Left to right; Marty Slutsky, Alan Stoker, Casey Wood [seated], Chris Bishop, Mike Doc Dreyfuss [seated].
SAWYERVILLE DAY CAMP
I was in Greensboro, AL, for a week helping out with the music for the Sawyerville Day Camp, an amazing project supported by the generosity of hundreds of people in the diocese of AL. Here's a link to a great article about Session 1;
http://blog.al.com/living-news/2010/07/volunteers_provide_fun_activit.html
The 'splash' page [which is what you see when you first hit my site] is a photo taken by Ellen Coleman at the concert during youth week at Kanuga Conferences this past June. A storm had knocked out the power but the tireless and wildly creative Eric Murrell managed to get a line going and off we went - about 100 degrees and no fans. Was a fun night anyhow!
I do hope you'll take a few minutes to visit the 'news' page for updates and click the 'links' to find some other very creative and hardworking groups that are carrying on some important work. And please visit the music, friends and photo pages, too. And a reminder; While you're here, don't forget to sign the guestbook, thanks!
All the best, Fran
small photo at top by Diana McKendree
above photo of Fran: Paul McAfee below by Susan Logan
