Biography

Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle

2024 Musician of the Year - Violin/Fiddle

2020 AirPlay Direct Evolution Grant Recipient

2019 Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame

International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Legend

Male Vocalist of the Year

Songwriter of the Year

Randall Franks

"No matter where you recognize Randall Franks from, he is a man known for quality work and giving his absolute best to everything that he does." Southern Gospel Music Radio

Randall Franks Artist Page features recordings from throughout the career of 1994 Male Vocalist of the Year (Country) and Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle Randall Franks, best known as "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night." He began a long association guest starring as an artist for the Grand Ole Opry ® in 1984, in addition to appearing with two of its greatest acts - Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys. His talents have contributed to the musical legacies of of over 30 Country, Bluegrass and Gospel music hall of famers such as Jimmy Martin, Josh Graves, Chubby Wise, Mac Wiseman, Doug Dillard, Ralph Stanley, The Lewis Family, Little Jimmy Dickens, Kitty Wells, Pee Wee King, Dottie Rambo, The Marksmen Quartet, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Doodle and the Golden River Grass, and numerous others. He is a multiple music hall of fame inductee himself including the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame and the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. He serves annually as the Celebrity Host of America's Grand Master Fiddler Championship at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum stepping in the shoes of Roy Acuff and Porter Wagoner. The Randall Franks Fiddle Trophy is awarded annually at the 1890s Day Jamboree Fiddler Convention in Ringgold, Ga. in his honor.

Randall Franks
rfrankscatoosa@gmail.com
(706) 963-0116
http://www.randallfranks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RandallFranksActorDirectorEntertainer/
Crimson Records

CD Music Links

Click here to go to Randall Franks - THE AMERICAN’S CREED 2024 Album

Click here to go to Faith Will See Us Through - Randall Franks 2020 Hope Collection

Click here to go to Randall Franks Latest Release, the #1 June 2019 Global Americana Album, Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia

Click here to go to Randall Franks Christmas release, the #1 October 2019 Global Christmas Album, In the Heat of the Night Christmas Time's A Comin'

Click here to go to Randall Franks Southern Gospel CD Keep 'Em Smilin'

Click here to go to Randall Franks Bluegrass/Folk CD Mountain Opry Memories

Click here to go to Randall Franks and David Davis Bluegrass/Folk Gospel CD God's Children

Click here to go to Randall Franks and Alan Autry Americana Country CD Mississippi Moon:Country Traditions

Click here to go to Randall Franks and Bluegrass/Comedy CD – Tunes and Tales from Tunnel Hill

Click here to go to Randall Franks Christian/Bluegrass Top 20 Selling Handshakes and Smiles

Click here to go to Randall Franks Top 25 Bluegrass Album Sacred Sounds of Appalachia

Click here to go to Randall Franks Top 40 Folk Album Golden River Fiddlin'

Click here to go to Randall Franks Appalachian Humor Release Comedy Down Home

#1 Americana Album June 2019

Randall Franks

Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia

Click here to go to Randall Franks Latest Release Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia


"Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia" is an 18-month labor of love for the Share America Foundation, Inc. and its volunteers, featuring performances by over 30 youth ages 11-27 including Colton Brown, Emerald Butler, Warren Carnes, Phillip Cross, Landon Fitzpatrick, Nicholas Hickman, Trevor Holder, Kings Springs Road, Caleb Lewis, Isaac Moore, Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band, Matthew Nave, Wally O'Donald, Drew Sherrill, SingAkadamie, Ryan Stinson, Landon Wall and Tyler West.

For this project the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Legend Randall Franks brought together the youth, who are primarily from Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina, to perform 18 new songs, covers and standards in Americana, Bluegrass and Southern Gospel. This charity project raises funds for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship.

Visit our Share America Foundation Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/ShareAmericaFoundation/
Share America Foundation, Inc./Crimson Records
Release: 2019

AMERICANA/BLUEGRASS INSTRUMENTAL

Available CDs In Brief and Select Recordings

Featured Fiddle Track

Back up and Push - Randall Franks with Hall of Famer Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys (02:51)


Songwriters/Arrangers: Randall Franks and Bill Monroe
Publishers and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing and Monroe Blue Music/BMI
Release: 2018
30 Years on Radio and TV Volume II
Share America Foundation,Inc./Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle
Bill Monroe: Mandolin
Blake Williams: Banjo
Wayne Lewis: Guitar
Clarence "Tater" Tate: Bass

This previously unreleased recording is from "Randall Franks: 30 Years on Radio and TV Volume II" and is a Live Performance by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys at Jane Addams Auditorium in Seattle, Washington on Nov. 1, 1984. A newly remastered version of this recording was released in 2024 on The American’s Creed. Get it here https://AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranksTheAmericansCreed.

Randall Franks was hired by Monroe, following the departure of fiddler Kenny Baker. Franks had began appearing with the group as a guest fiddler during Baker's tenure. He appeared as a Blue Grass Boy in 1984 and 1985 playing both fiddle and bass and subsequently returned as a guest fiddler throughout the remainder of Monroe's performance career.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC AND COMEDY

#18 June 2019 APD Gospel Charts

Randall Franks – Keep ‘Em Smilin’

Click here to go to Randall Franks Keep 'Em Smilin'


"Keep 'Em Smilin'" is a live gospel and comedy CD featuring Randall Franks supported by former Stamps and Gold City Quartet pianist Curtis Broadway recorded at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring, Ga. The project includes 11 recordings including comedy and music. Check out "In the Garden," "Cousin Viola and the Sanctified Grape Juice," and "Chicken Addiction" on this page from this CD.

Franks debuted the CD release in a special concert appearing with U.S. President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga.

"This CD really shares the Spirit and spontaneity that envelopes music makers during a special night of music and laughter in front of an amazing gathering of Southern gospel music fans." Randall Franks

Visit our Keep 'Em Smilin' Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/RandallFranksKeepEmSmilin/
Crimson Records
Release: 2016

Featured Comedy Track

Chicken Addiction - Randall Franks (2:55)(Comedy)


Songwriter: Randall Franks
Publisher & PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2016 Keep 'Em Smilin'
Crimson

Comedian: Randall Franks
Musician: Randall Franks

Chicken Addiction is a comedy story in the style of Jerry Clower, Grady Nutt, and Minnie Pearl from Randall Franks's live Christian music and comedy CD "Keep 'Em Smilin'" also including Stamps Quartet pianist Curtis Broadway.


In the Garden - Randall Franks (4:06)


Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher & PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2016 Keep 'Em Smilin'
Crimson

Randall Franks: Vocalist and Fiddle
Curtis Broadway: Piano

In the Garden is Randall's most requested gospel music standard from his Christian music and comedy CD "Keep 'Em Smilin'" also including Stamps Quartet pianist Curtis Broadway.

Franks debuted the CD release in a special concert appearing with U.S. President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga.

Randall Franks and David Davis - God's Children

Click here to go to Randall Franks and David Davis - God's Children


Randall Franks enlisted long acclaimed Rounder/Rebel recording artist David Davis to add the tenor and mandolin parts to the duets as he carried the guitar and most of the lead vocals. Long-time Warrior River Boy Marty Hays also contributes with his bass work and a couple of baritone vocals.

Franks wrote or co-wrote many of the selections while pulling out some of his favorite standards which added to the duet collection.

He invited three of his mentors who reached their stardom during the era when brother duets were soaring to join him on the recording, the late Cotton and Jane Carrier of the WSB Barndance and the late Country and Western music and film pioneer and actor Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott.

Crimson Records
Release: 2000


Is There More Than Life Than This - Randall Franks and David Davis


Songwriter: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO:Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2000
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Guitar and Fiddle
David Davis: Mandolin
Marty Hays: Bass

This song is from Randall's Appalachian brother duet collection "God's Children" with Bluegrass star David Davis of Rounder Records and bass player Marty Hays, both of the Warrior River Boys.

"This song takes incidents I've seen while serving and from the daily news and place them within the context of the redeeming truth that there is more to life than what fills our vision and our screens to fill our souls with sadness, worry and pain. Life has so much more for us and God puts them in front of us every day to uplift and encourage." Randall Franks

Top-20 Christian Seller June 1990

#17 July 2019 APD Gospel Charts

Randall Franks - Handshakes and Smiles

Click here to go to Randall Franks Christian/Bluegrass Top 20 Selling Handshakes and Smiles

Randall Franks's Top-20 selling Christian release "Handshakes and Smiles." The album included among the year's Top-30 Southern Gospel Albums of the Year. Supporting Randall's vocals and fiddling comes from multiple Grammy nominees and multi-million selling gospel artists Jeff & Sheri Easter; three-time Dove Award nominees Mark Wheeler and Darrin Chambers; Grand Ole Opry star Jesse McReynolds and Carol Lee Singers; Gospel and Bluegrass Hall of Famers Lewis Phillips and Travis Lewis, and Steve "Rabbit" Easter.


Meeting In the Air - Randall Franks (2:30)


Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI)
Release: 1990 Handshakes and Smiles
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle
Mark Wheeler: Acoustic Guitar
Jeff Easter: Harmonica and Piano
Lewis Phillips Banjo
Travis Lewis:Acoustic Bass
Jesse McReynolds: Mandolin
Steve Easter: Dobro

From his Top 20 selling release "Handshakes and Smiles" Christian artist Randall Franks fiddles "Meeting in the Air" with multiple Grammy nominees and multi-million selling gospel artist Jeff Easter on harmonica and piano, three-time Dove Award nominees Dove nominee Mark Wheeler on guitar and Darrin Chambers, Grand Ole Opry star Jesse McReynolds on mandolin.

Bonus Tracks from Pick of the Peaches Fiddlin'.

Randall Franks - Sacred Sounds of Appalachia

Click here to go to Randall Franks Top 25 Bluegrass Album Sacred Sounds of Appalachia


Sacred Sounds of Appalachia was included among the Top-25 Best Bluegrass Albums of 1992.

The original radio singles: Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Kneel at the Cross, This World is Not My Home and Leaning on the Everlasting Arms yielded numerous turntable success with airplay around the world including Beautiful Star becoming a hit in Malaysia.

The project brought together the talents of Steve "Rabbit" Easter of Jeff & Sheri Easter band, members of the Marksmen Quartet - Mark Wheeler and Earle Wheeler; and Lewis Phillips and Travis Lewis of the Lewis Family; guitarist Bill Everett and mandolinist Eugene Akers.

"In a period when my career spanned the boundaries between Bluegrass, Country and Southern Gospel, 'Sacred Sounds of Appalachia' provided me an amazing album to featured through countless mainstream media outlets. Randall Franks

Songs on the album: Uncloudy Day, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Sweet Hour of Prayer, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Old Time Religion, Amazing Grace, Kneel at the Cross, Just A Rose Will Do, This World Is Not My Home


Leaning on the Everlasting Arms - Randall Franks (02:57)


Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 1992
Crimson Records

Fiddle and Appalachian Dulcimer: Randall Franks
Banjo: Lewis Phillips
Bass: Travis Lewis
Guitar: Mark Wheeler
Mandolin: Bill Everett

Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle performs an instrumental hymn standard from his home community of Ringgold, Ga. - "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." Franks is joined by Bluegrass and Gospel Music Hall of Famers Lewis Phillips (banjo) and Travis Lewis (bass), three-time Dove Award nominee Mark Wheeler (guitar), and Bill Everett (mandolin). This recording is from his 1992 release originally appearing on Sonlite/Zion and later on Crimson Records in 1998.

Randall Franks - Comedy Down Home

#7 July 2019 APD Gospel Charts

Click here to go to Randall Franks Appalachian Humor Release Comedy Down Home


For "Comedy Down Home," in addition to solo bits, Franks desired to share some classic duo comedy and chose veteran Country comedian Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott to join him.

Country, bluegrass and western music legend Scott began performing comedy on radio in the 1930s, starred on the Grand Ole Opry in the 1940s, and moved into Hollywood television and films in the 1940s and 1950s. His Last Real Old Time Medicine Show hosted over 29,000 performances across the United States and Canada. , Franks served as the Medicine show's final co-star with Scott.

With the exception of guest musicians assisting with background music, Franks performs fiddle, guitar, mountain dulcimer and jaw harp on various comedy pieces. Though not presented here, the original release included re-releases of "A Tunnel Runs Through It," and "Uncle Elige's Send Off" from the earlier "Tunes and Tales from Tunnel Hill."

The project is presented in the form of a classic radio episode reflecting the feel of Scott's 1951 Variety TV Show "The Smokey Mountain Jamboree" produced by Katona Productions for Scott Productions of Hollywood.


Various Gospel Recordings


Amazing Grace - Randall Franks with Raymond Fairchild (03:40)


Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2018
Share America Foundation,Inc./Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Vocals and Fiddle
Raymond Fairchild: Banjo
Cody Shuler: Mandolin
Bruce Moody: Guitar
Eddie Lovelace: Bass

Internationally known fiddler Randall Franks appeared at hundreds of bluegrass festivals in his career and often shared the stage with the American Smokey Mountain banjo legend Raymond Fairchild. Fairchild has won five awards as a champion banjo player and has scored two gold records. This recording is from a live performance of the John Newton hymn with Fairchild and his talented Maggie Valley Boys at the Wink Theater in Dalton, Ga. on April 24, 2004.


Golden Slippers - Randall Franks and Chubby Wise (03:27)


Songwriters/Arrangers:Randall Franks and Chubby Wise
Publishing and PRO:Peach Picked Publishing/BMI)
Release: 2018 30 Years on Radio and TV Vol. II (Recorded 1990)
Share America Foundation,Inc./Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks and Chubby Wise: Fiddle
David Crow: Mandolin
Gary Beech: Banjo
Booie Beech: Guitar
Kelton Johns: Bass

Fiddlers Randall Franks and Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Chubby Wise, who helped popularize "The Orange Blossom Special," toured appearing doing twin fiddling at numerous American Bluegrass Festivals. Wise appeared with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1942-1948, Clyde Moody, the York Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, and Connie B. Gay. In 1954, Wise became a member of Hank Snow's Rainbow Ranch Boys, returning to the Grand Ole Opry where he remained with the group until 1970. He also worked as a session musician with Mac Wiseman and Red Allen.
Franks also recorded with and produced the legendary fiddler.
This recording is from a Live Appearance on Dec. 29, 1990 at New Year’s Bluegrass Festival in Jekyll Island, Ga. included on the Share America Foundation DVD “Concert of Celebration”

"Chubby and his wife Rossie Wise were two of my dearest friends, and Chubby taught me so much about playing the fiddle and entertaining an audience. It was always a privilege to walk on stage with him, it was so easy for us to play together." Randall Franks

AMERICANA/BLUEGRASS/FOLK

#20 June 2019

Bluegrass/Folk Chart

Randall Franks - Mountain Opry Memories

Click here to go to Randall Franks Mountain Opry Memories


"'Mountain Opry Memories'" gives listeners an uplifting experience. Imagine that they just pulled up their chair and tuned the radio in for a fun-filled show featuring the Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle emanating from one of the Southern Appalachia's most unique stages where the audience is lively and the music is just plain foot-stomping fun." Randall Franks

Though the recording spans live appearances over 11 years, following an introduction by Ken Holloway, Franks opens with the upbeat “Fire on the Mountain.” He then seamlessly navigates the audience through a variety of comedic comments and stories such as “A Tunnel Runs Through It,” country and western standards including “Send Me the Pillow,” “Red River Valley,” “Crawdad Song,” “Ya’ll Come,” and songs unique to his career like the “Sparta Impound Blues.”

He welcomes special guest David Davis for a live gospel duet “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and joins the late country pioneer Charlie “Peanut” Faircloth and a country band for “The Kind of Love I Can’t Forget.”

In the tradition of the Southern Appalachian fiddle bands - Tom Adkins and Franks both fiddle on tunes including “Boil Dem Cabbage Down,” “Faded Love,” and “Turkey in the Straw” and Adkins plays behind Franks as he sings “The Old Black Fiddle.”

In keeping with his focus on encouraging youth, Franks, who serves as president of the Share America Foundation, is joined by the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band including four Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholars for the bluegrass standard “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

Franks closes his show with the support of members of the Valley Grass who appear on many of the cuts by performing “Orange Blossom Special.”

This charity project raises funds for the Mountain Opry, and Share America's Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship.

Visit our Mountain Opry Memories Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RandallFranksMountainOpryMemories/
Share America Foundation in association with Crimson Records SAF-102
Release: 2013

Alan Autry and Randall Franks

Mississippi Moon: Country Traditions

Click here to go to Randall Franks and Alan Autry Americana Country CD Mississippi Moon:Country Traditions


The 2013 CD "Alan Autry & Randall Franks - Mississippi Moon: Country Traditions," features 11 songs encompassing songs initially recorded between 1988-1996. Beginning in 1988 while the duo were filming "In the Heat of the Night," Randall Franks produced music featuring Autry and himself. This collection incorporates those country classics and the original songs featuring both of them supported by a talented group of musicians and singers. I Almost Had a Hit on Time, I'm Straightening Up My Life, and If I Could Paint a Picture lend themselves to a Classic Country feel. Long Black Veil and I Walk the Line are Classic Country classics with a solid Acoustic Country approach. Georgia Rain, and Mississippi Moon are bluegrass-infused Roots Country, You Got to Know the Lows to Appreciate the Highs and He's the Only Way are countrified Southern Gospel. Gotta a Lot of Rhythm in my Soul is country Rockabilly.


Mean Joe Blake - Randall Franks with Jim and Jesse (02:24)


Songwriters: Randall Franks and Alan Autry
Publisher & PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2013
Crimson

Vocals and Mountain Dulcimer: Randall Franks
Mandolin and Vocals: Jesse McReynolds
Guitar and Vocals: Jim McReynolds
Bass and Percussion: Monty Hall

This recording by Jim and Jesse Show alumnus - Randall Franks is highlighted by restored archival tracks featuring the unique harmonies and musical talents of legendary Bluegrass Hall of Fame brother duet Jim and Jesse McReynolds of the Grand Ole Opry. While Jesse continues to perform, Jim passed away in 2002.

"It was a movie script created for a TV pilot that inspired me to take Alan Autry’s idea and pen this mandolin-infused 'Mean Joe Blake.' It is reminiscent of the story songs of the 1960s such as Jimmy Dean’s 'Big Bad John' and Walter Brennan’s 'Old Rivers.'"
Randall Franks

Franks sings lead on his original song with Jim and Jesse singing echoes and harmonies, as they did for the original TV theme recording.

The musical performance is driven by Jesse on mandolin and also includes Jim on guitar, Franks on mountain dulcimer, and the sounds of bass and percussion.

“This is probably one of my favorites on the CD Mississippi Moon because thanks to the wonderful advances in technology, I was able to restore the archival tracks of two of my Grand Ole Opry heroes - Jim and Jesse McReynolds,” Franks said. “I am thankful to Jesse and Jim for all the encouragement they shared with me.”


Franks association with the Jim and Jesse Show began in the late 1970s as a youth. He appeared both as a Virginia Boy and guest star on their shows into the late 1990s. After Franks achieved American network TV stardom as an actor, Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys often appeared on television and for the Grand Ole Opry supporting Franks.

Franks is an International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend and a member of the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame. He and Autry both starred in the hit TV series "In the Heat of the Night."

The song appears on the Americana CD Alan Autry & Randall Franks Mississippi Moon:Country Traditions.

Randall Franks - Tunes and Tales from Tunnel Hill

#14 October 2019

Bluegrass/Folk Chart

Click here to go to Randall Franks and Bluegrass/Comedy CD – Tunes and Tales from Tunnel Hill

After finishing his five years on NBC's "In the Heat of the Night," Randall Franks wanted to create a traditional bluegrass CD in the vein of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, The Dillards, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Roy Acuff, and Jim and Jesse.
He also wanted to share some of the comedy stories he'd been telling on the road reflecting the story telling of Jerry Clower, Minnie Pearl, and Doodle Thrower.
His hard work paid off, Randall Franks was at the height of his bluegrass music career in the mid-1990s and he was asked to host the Bluegrass Music Awards in Nashville in 1995, which he did. His CD "Tunes & Tales from Tunnel Hill" was included among the top 25 Bluegrass CDs of 1995.
To bring the solid bluegrass sound behind his hard-driving fiddlin', he chose The Sand Mountain Boys, who were at the time burning up the festival circuit. The band included Alabama Music Master Gary Waldrep, Wayne Crain, of the legendary Crain Brothers, and his son Jerry Crain, and Kenny Townsel.
Randall produced the music session at Baker Sound Studios in Cullman, Ala. while the comedy was recorded live at Pennington Gap, Va.
For the project he borrowed a historic costume for its cover from Little Roy Lewis of The Lewis Family, Gospel and Bluegrass hall of famers. It was worn by Georgia Music Hall of Fame member Cotton Carrier and after Randall put it to use, it was on display at the Hall of Fame from 1996 to 2012.


Come Go with Me - Randall Franks (02:36)


Songwriter/Arranger: Marty Robbins
Publisher - PRO: Mariposa Music/BMI
Release: 1995
Crimson

Fiddle and Lead Vocal: Randall Franks
Band - The Sand Mountain Boys:
Banjo: Gary Waldrep
Guitar: Wayne Crain
Mandolin: Kenny Townsel
Bass: Jerry Crain

"As a youth one of my favorite times was to quietly turn on my transistor radio and try to hear the Grand Ole Opry and the closing segment featuring Marty Robbins. His vocal artistry and the endless fun he shared with the audience while going long rather than giving the broadcast to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop Midnight Jamboree was always a wonderful memory. This song reminds me of his talents reflected in a Bill Monroe style."
Randall Franks

Tunes and Tales from Tunnel Hill is a collection of music and comedic stories which Franks recorded to reflect the influence that traditional artists such as Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, The Dillards, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Roy Acuff, and Jim and Jesse had on him musically and the story telling of Jerry Clower, Minnie Pearl, and Doodle Thrower had on him comedically.

Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle and International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend Randall Franks, member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and the Jim & Jesse Show, performs a song recorded by Bill Monroe "Come Go with Me." Franks's performance was inspired by Bill Monroe's performance.

The CD "Tunes & Tales from Tunnel Hill" was among the top 25 Bluegrass CDs of its release year in the United States.

Randall Franks - Golden River Fiddlin'

#49 July 2019 APD Bluegrass/Folk Charts

Click here to go to Randall Franks Top 40 Folk Album Golden River Fiddlin'


The 2008 Grammy artist The Golden River Grass began in 1963 as a square dance band led by C.J. Clackum and John "Doodle" Thrower from Tallapoosa, Haralson County, Ga.

By the bicentennial, the group had solidified itself as America's premier Georgia Fiddle Band carrying the traditional styles to the world. They represented the special segment in America's folk genre at national and state celebrations, world fairs, local fairs, folk festivals, bluegrass festivals and concerts.

Following the death of long-time fiddler Bill Kee, he was replaced briefly by Alabama fiddle Paul Wallace and then Georgia fiddle Randall Franks.

He joined John "Doodle" Thrower, C.J. Clackum, Wesley Clackum, Gene Daniell and James Watson.

Franks appeared with the band regularly for many years and after joining the cast of TV's "In the Heat of the Night" semi-regularly into the 1990s.

During his tenure, Franks convinced the band that its legacy deserved to be documented with more recordings. The majority of those were recorded in the studio of sound engineer and bassist Gene Daniell.
Doodle and The Golden River Grass released independently between 1985 and 1994 “Clawhammer Banjo Way Down in the Country,” “Doodle and his Harp,” “What’s the Matter with the Mill,” “Old Time Religion,” “Doodle’s Last Show” and releases by the National Folk Festival and Alan Lomax.
Another from their string of recordings in the 1980s is Randall's "Golden River Fiddlin'."

On the recording, he featured many of the most requested fiddle tunes fans requested from their stage shows. Randall also welcomed Sue Koskela of the Wildwood Girls, an all female bluegrass band, that toured the world and appeared regularly at Dollywood.

Pick of the Peaches Fiddlin' Bonus Tracks: Katy Hill, Bully of the Town, Florida Blues, Shortenin’ Bread, and Angie's Waltz

Various Americana/Bluegrass Recordings


I’m On My Way Back to the Old Home - Randall Franks (2:23)


Songwriter: Bill Monroe
Publishers and PRO: Bill Monroe Music & Unichappell Music/BMI
Share America Foundation,Inc./Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Vocal & Mandolin
Greg Earnest: Banjo
Keith Morris: Vocal & Guitar
Gene Daniell: Vocal & Bass

Randall Franks formed his first band from fellow students from area elementary and high schools and called the group the Peachtree Pickers. By 1985, the band was the Georgia State Bluegrass Band champion and performing at Bluegrass Festivals around the south and at the Grand Ole Opry. This recording appeared on a 1986 appearance for PBS-TV.


Little Liza Jane - Randall Franks with his Cornhuskers String Band (3:13)


Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publishing and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2018
Share America Foundation, Inc./Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle
Jerry Burke: Mandolin
Barney Miller: Resonator Guitar
Hollis Landrum: Clawhammer Banjo

Randall Franks brought together his Cornhuskers String Band for a special appearance for Film director John Hillcoat in the internationally released film "Lawless" also starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Guy Pearce.
This recording was created on the set of the film in 2011 and was as seen on Randall Franks TV on YouTube.


Craven's Reel - Randall Franks (1:57)


Songwriter/ArrangerRandall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 1985
Crimson(Originally PSL)

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle
Eugene Akers: Mandolin
Greg Earnest: Banjo
Lyndon Kolb: Guitar
John Farley: Guitar
Mark Nelson: Bass

Randall Franks recorded his first feature fiddle for release in 1985 with his childhood band the Peachtree Pickers and some special guests including mandolinist Eugene Akers and guitarist John Farley.

"Craven's Reel was among several of my early fiddle tunes that I composed. It was one of the few that made it to recording while I performed many on stage. The name came from an ancestor who I later discovered was my great grandmother's uncle." Randall Franks


The Old Black Fiddle - Randall Franks with the Georgia Mafia Bluegrass Band (4:29)


Songwriter: Randall Franks
Publishing and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Vocals and Fiddle
Jerry Burke: Fiddle
J. Max McKee: Banjo
Rick Smith and Helen Burke: Guitar
Dean Marsh: Bass

Randall Franks performed this 2009 ASE Song of the Year on a PBS special alongside Third Day and Collective Soul. His Georgia Mafia Bluegrass Band was hand picked from members of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame for this performance. The band went on to win Atlanta's Bluegrass Band of the Year from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers for several years.

"I wrote this song as a prequel to Charlie Daniels' 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia'. God blessed me with the story in one burst and it seemed to flow without me having to even think of the story." Randall Franks


Blue Ridge - Randall Franks (2:30)


Songwriter: John Farley
Publisher and PRO: Verb Music/BMI
Release: 2014 (Originally recorded 1983)
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle and Vocals
Jeff Blalock: Banjo
Wes Freeman: Fiddle and Vocals
Matthew Mundy: Mandolin and Vocals
Mark Nelson: Bass and Vocals

Over 25 youth and their parents supported Randall's Peachtree Pickers during its tenure as a children and youth act.
The band expanded their audience performing at churches, schools, fairs and music festivals.
The act recorded five albums and performed from South Carolina to Texas including repeat appearances for the Grand Ole Opry ®. They made multiple appearances for PBS and other TV shows including as regulars on “The Country Kids TV Series” seen around the world. Randall’s group won the title of Georgia’s official bluegrass champions in 1985.
The "Country Kids" release includes recordings spanning from 1975-1983. "Blue Ridge" is from a previously unreleased four song studio session on May 15, 1983 with engineer Don Bryant of Snapfinger Music.

"John and Debbie Farley invested greatly with their time and creativity as mentors to our group of youth. We always included John's songs into our shows and recordings. Blue Ridge was one of my favorites from this era and means even more to me today as I feel the words in my roots." Randall Franks


Additional Biography


Randall became the first bluegrass performer to rise to the top 20 Christian music sales charts with the release of Handshakes and Smiles in 1990. At a time when the industry was made of largely of established stars rather than rising new performers, Franks joined fellow rising star Alison Krauss as the most visible fiddlers and personalities of the industry in the late eighties and early nineties. The TV celebrity hosts the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville annually, for several years at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The International Bluegrass Music Museum honored him as a Bluegrass Legend in 2010. In his career, he has promoted, performed with, recorded with, published or produced more than 30 members of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as well as numerous Country Music, Gospel and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

As an actor, Franks has starred in three TV series and in 18 movies with superstars from William Hurt to Dolly Parton, with his latest release The Cricket's Dance.

Through his work in Hollywood, his music has influenced a generation of Hollywood stars from Dylan and Cole Sprouse to Shia Labeouf.

At the height of his country music career in 1997, Franks hosted a historic concert at the Ryman including the Kentucky Headhunters, Highway 101, Rhett Akins and Ronna Reeves that is still noted by Billboard and his Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree show yielded an attendance of 30,000 for one concert in 1999.

He was inducted into an elite group of performers including A.P. Carter of the Carter Family, Pop Stoneman of the Stoneman Family, and several Grand Ole Opry stars as the youngest ever inductee in the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 .

With more than 250 recordings to his credit, his music has brought him on stage or in the studio to perform with entertainers in a variety of music fields: Dottie Rambo, Carl Perkins; Charlie Daniels; Peabo Bryson; The Whites; Ricky Skaggs; Kitty Wells; Pee Wee King; Jimmy Dickens; Jeff & Sheri Easter; The Lewis Family; The Isaacs; The Primitives; Bill Monroe; Jim and Jesse; Ralph Stanley; Raymond Fairchild; Jimmy Martin; Mac Wiseman; Chubby Wise; Josh Graves; Doug Dillard; Jerry Douglas; Sam Bush; Byron Berline; Brushfire; The Morningsiders; The Warrior River Boys; The Sand Mountain Boys; The Gary Waldrep Band; The Cox Family; The Sidemen; and “Doc” Tommy Scott’s Last Real Old Time Medicine Show are some of those.

Randall is an author and a syndicated newspaper columnist with millions of readers throughout the South and Midwest.

Through his non-profit - the Share America Foundation, Inc., he encourages youth in the traditional music of Appalachia by sponsoring concerts to raise funds for scholarships.

Connect
On the web:
http://www.randallfranks.com/
Visit Franks favorite non-profit:
http://www.shareamericafoundation.org/
Follow Randall Franks on X:
https://twitter.com/RandallFranks
Like Randall Franks on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RandallFranksActorDirectorEntertainer/
Randall Franks TV on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/@randallfranks
Visit Randall on Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291684/
https://www.instagram.com/randallfranksactor/
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/randall-franks/14/b74/72b
https://truthsocial.com/@RandallFranksActor
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https://www.reverbnation.com/randallfranks
RANDALL FRANKS TV:
https://www.brighteon.com/channels/RandallFranks
https://rumble.com/register/RandallFranks/

CHARITY: Share America Foundation. Inc.
http://shareamericafoundation.org/