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The Road Less Traveled
SCOTTVILLE – This week’s Tuesday night Scottville Clown Band Shell Concert Series will feature Emma and Mallie, an acoustic duo made up of Emma Taranko and Mallory Shinn. They will be opening for The Road Less Traveled. RLT is the remnants of the band Beaune Road. When Beaune Road called it quits, Dan Mahynski, Dan Haynor and Carleen Shinn chose to continue making music and re-emerged as The Road Less Traveled. Both groups have been playing music around the area and are excited for this special performance at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 24. Mason County Press Senior Correspondent, Kate Krieger met up with Pat Shinn, father to Mallory and husband of Carleen to discuss Emma and Mallie and The Road Less Traveled.
MCP: How did the band/group get its start?
E&M: “These two have been BFs literally since the crib. They are in the same class, neighbors and daughters of professional musicians. They have both filled their respective homes with music since they could first vocalize. They have been in choir together and have sung numerous times together in church, school and community.”
RLT: “Robert Frost implies in his poem “The Road Not Taken”, that there are often unexpected pleasures to be had in taking a lesser travel road. This theme underlies our thoughts regarding the music we write and perform. Our music is meant to be comforting to compliment an already relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our performances incorporate a “folkish” blend of covers (some readily recognized and some not) and heartening originals. Mo’s bass provides a strong yet simple pulse for our gifted and innovative guitarist Dan to weave his expertise around and through. Carleen’s vocals and flute melodies are pure and transporting.”
MCP: What style of music do you consider yourself? Any musical influences that are
E&M: “They prefer acoustic music because it allows them to be more interpretive and creative with their harmonies. They have tweaked Radioactive by Imagine Dragons and Royals by Lorde and really enjoy music by the likes of Jason Mraz, Ed Sheeran, Lumineers, Mumford and Sons and Delta Rae, just to name a few.”
RLT: “RLT does covers by artists such as Ben Gibbard, Jay Farrar, Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman, Steppin In It, John Prine, Allison Krauss, Jason Isbell, Donna the Buffalo, Ingrid Michaelson, Rosanne Cash, Bob Dylan, etc.”
Emma and Mallie
MCP: How often do you play out and where can people check you out at besides this Tuesday’s show at the Scottville Clown Band Shell?
E&M: “Emma & Mallie have been playing out whenever The Road Less Traveled has a gig and Tuesday night is another one of those opportunities to gain some performance experience.”
RLT: “RLT plays more during the summer and more sparsely in the winter. They typically play weekend gigs at local restaurants that host local bands. RLT believes in supporting local charities, fundraisers and benefits and play for their causes on occasion i.e. Cove, Alzheimer’s Walk, Sable Points Light House Keepers.”
MCP: How did the Scottville gig come to you and what should people look forward to when they come out to hear you play?
E&M: “You can look for them in downtown Ludington at the West Shore Art Fair on July 5, Friday Night Live on July 25 and at the Shagway Art Barn on August 2.”
A: “This will be the second time The Road Less Traveled has played the Tuesday Night Scottville Clown Band Shell Concert Series. The crowd can expect a family friendly evening filled with folkish melodies.”
MCP: In your spare time, when not playing music, what are the members of the group doing?
E&M: “Mallie & Emma are both members of the Ludington High School Marching Band, Concert Band and Choir. They are involved in their church youth group and enjoy summer mission trips. Mallie enjoys soccer while Emma prefers volleyball. Their fathers will not let them entertain the notion of having boy-friends.”
RLT: “When not making exorbitant amounts of money making music, Carleen Shinn is the mother of three and an elementary music teacher for the Ludington Area School District. Dan Mahynski is a retired special education teacher, enjoys time with his soul-mate Kathy and spoiling his grandkids. Dan Haynor is a Custodial Engineer at Flora-Craft and enjoys time with his wife Mary and pampering their two dogs.”
The Road Less Traveled’s engagements are always posted on their Facebook page the “Road Less Traveled and on the “Ludington Live Local Musicians” Facebook page.
The band shell is owned and operated as a joint venture between the Scottville Optimist Club and Scottville Clown Band. The committee operates as a separate entity and includes representatives from both organizations and from the community. Tax deductible donations may be sent to Scottville Clown Band, PO Box 278, Scottville, MI 49454.
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