Album Profile
Jeff Parker
Two Roads To Travel
PRODUCTION NOTES
The album Two Roads to Travel, released in 2004 on Lonesome Day Records (LDR 004), marks an early solo gospel-bluegrass project from Jeff Parker—a gifted mandolinist, guitarist, and tenor vocalist best known for his tenure with the Lonesome River Band (2001–2006), followed by his long-running role with Dailey & Vincent. This 14-track collection, approximately 40 minutes in length, centers on faith-based themes of salvation, heaven, redemption, and life’s spiritual choices, blending timeless gospel standards with heartfelt originals in a classic high-lonesome bluegrass style.
Co-produced by Jeff Parker, Randall Deaton, and Ron Stewart, the album was recorded at Lonesome Day Studio in Booneville, Kentucky, with additional overdubs at Slack Key Studio and The Sleepy Valley Barn, engineered by Randall Deaton (tracking), and mixed by Ron Stewart, spanning August to December 2003. The production yields a warm, organic acoustic sound with clear instrumental separation, soaring harmonies, and authentic drive—prioritizing sincere vocal deliveries and spiritual messages over heavy polish.
The title track “Two Roads to Travel” (2:50, by Ollie Howard) sets a reflective tone on life’s diverging paths, while highlights include “Higher Ground Awaiting” (2:40), “Meet You In Heaven Someday” (2:36, Tim Stafford), “Church By the Side of the Road” (3:31), “Steal Away and Pray” (3:28, Louvin Brothers), “Still Driving Nails in the Hands of the Savior”, “Anywhere Is Home”, and “Jesus Found Me” (Shannon Hess, with Parker solo on guitar and vocals). The set mixes upbeat gospel drives, tender ballads, and traditional fare like “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”.
Parker leads on mandolin, guitar, and lead/tenor vocals, backed by a strong ensemble: Ron Stewart (banjo, fiddle, baritone vocals), Tim Stafford(guitar, rhythm guitar), Randy Kohrs (Weissenborn guitar, Dobro), Harold Nixon (bass), Wayne Fields (banjo), Matt Despaine (Dobro, baritone vocals), plus rich harmony contributors including Steve Gulley(tenor/baritone/lead vocals), Don Gulley (tenor/baritone), Russell Moore(tenor), Beth Lawrence (tenor), and Billie Renee Johnson (tenor), fostering tight, uplifting quartet-style singing.
As a Lonesome Day Records release, Two Roads to Travel stands as a solid showcase of Jeff Parker’s early solo artistry, delivering authentic bluegrass gospel with strong vocal prowess and spiritual depth. It fits seamlessly into the label’s catalog of heartfelt faith music and has been featured in compilations like The Very Things You Treasure - 24 Bluegrass Songs of Faith & Family.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. Two Roads To Travel
2. Higher Ground Awaiting
3. Meet You in Heaven Someday
4. Church by the Side of the Road
5. The Last Move for Me
6. When Day Is Done
7. Our Savior's Blessed Blood
8. Going Up
9. I Won't Forget the Day
10. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
11. I Steal Away and Pray
12. Still Driving Nails In the Hands of the Savior
13. Anywhere Is Home
14. Jesus Found Me
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