Biography

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Appalachian Ambassador of the 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 features recordings from his 2020 collection "Faith Will See Us Through." A 1994 Male Vocalist of the Year (Country) and Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle Franks is 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/
Share America Foundation and Crimson Records

Other Album Music Links

Click here to go to Randall Franks Music


Fans May Click Here to Download This Album
www.Nimbit.com/RandallFranks

FAITH WILL SEE US THROUGH

"Recent events within the United States moved me to bring forward this collection of songs - "Faith Will See Us Through" which I hope and pray may encourage, inspire, and share the promise that the world's darkness cannot destroy who we are within ourselves and within our larger American community. Striving for great goals is not a thing of the past, hoping for better is not a thing of the past, caring for others is not a thing of the past, we are those who are suppose to strive, share hope and care for one another with God's love within our hearts, his lessons on our lips, and his deeds moving our hands and our feet to change the world." Randall Franks

Seven songs within this collection are from Share America Foundation, Inc, while four songs are from Crimson Records with Randall Franks Media.

The Share America Foundation, Inc., a 501-C-3 of Georgia, which fosters the arts and preserves the history of Appalachia while presenting the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship annually to youth who continue traditional music styles of Appalachia. The organization hosts special events and creates projects that perpetuate the Appalachian experience.

It operates with a five-member volunteer board, currently including Chairman Gary Knowles, Vice Chairman Jimmy Terrell, Secretary James Pelt, President Randall Franks, and Vice President Jerry Robinson, and a task force of volunteers.

The organization has assisted 29 college scholars thus far and numerous other youth in aspiring towards their musical goals through entertainer mentors, live performances, and creating opportunities for learning and success.
Learn more or donate at http://www.ShareAmericaFoundation.org/

Randall Franks

Faith Will See Us Through

01) God’s Children – Randall Franks with the Watkins Family (2:41)

Songwriters: Randall Franks & Cotton Carrier
Publisher & PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2020
Share America Foundation, Inc. - Crimson Records


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Fiddle and Vocals
Lorie Watkins: Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Todd Watkins: Acoustic Bass and Vocals
Blake Young: Mandolin


"Over the years this has become one of my favorite songs to perform. The message is one that resonates with folks when they hear it." Randall Franks


Randall Franks performs a song on "Atlanta Live" for WATC-TV with Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame members The Watkins Family. The group and members received nominations for Impact Award and Female Artist of the Year from the Front Porch Fellowship hosted at the National Quartet Convention, Best Contemporary and Traditional Bluegrass Gospel Group by the Society for the Preservation of BlueGrass Music in America which hosts its annual awards in Nashville, and were also nominated as Best Bluegrass Act at the Coca-Cola Music Awards previously hosted in Atlanta.

This song was a creative effort combining the writing talents of Georgia Music Hall of Famer Cotton Carrier. Carrier wrote the 1950s hit "I Have But One Goal" that launched Atlanta's biggest publishing company of the 20th Century - Lowery Music Publishing along with numerous country, gospel and pop songs through the years.


02) Heaven’s the Place to Be – Randall Franks (Solo Vocal with Guitar) (2:44)

Songwriters: Randall Franks & Darrin Chambers
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Guitar


"‘Heaven’s the Place to Be’ beckons us to the desire of living eternally. Darrin Chambers and I wrote this and performed it on stage with The Marksmen Quartet in the mid-1980s. Though staged many times, it was never offered in a recording until now.” Randall Franks


This performance was recorded live for Randall Franks TV.


03) You Better Get Ready – Randall Franks (3:47)


Songwriter/Arranger: Mark Wheeler and Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Fiddle
Bill Everett: Guitar
Barney Miller: Steel Guitar
Mark Bramlett : Banjo
Bill Burdette: Bass


"Mark Wheeler and I wrote this and I chose it as my first message to send out to the world when I began promoting single songs to radio. It was an earnest plea to bring people into the family of God, a plea I am still sharing now thirty years later.” Randall Franks


This performance of Randall’s first popular radio hit “You Better Get Ready” came from an appearance on “Atlanta Live” with his band the Peachtree Pickers. The song helped to make his 1990 album “Handshakes and Smiles” a top-selling Christian album.


04) When You Come Again – Randall Franks (1:27)

Songwriters: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Guitar


"‘When You Come Again’ came from early 1980s songwriter sessions that I did with Three-Time Dove nominee Mark Wheeler. We envisioned it as a bluegrass gospel song although this is a folk-style version with just guitar and voice." Randall Franks


This performance was recorded live for Randall Franks TV.


05) How Great Thou Art – Randall Franks (6:11)

Songwriter: Stuart K. Hine
Publisher and PRO: Trust-Hope Publishing/ASCAP


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal
Faye Lewis: Piano


"'How Great Thou Art' is one of the greatest songs ever written. Though it is not one I usually feature, this recording was caught as a special request at an appearance I did. I probably will never quite capture the emotion within this performance again!" Randall Franks


This performance was recorded live in Ringgold, Ga.


06) Building on Sand – Randall Franks (2:23)

Songwriters: Carl Butler, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, & Sherry George
Publisher and PRO: APRS, Scruggs Music, Inc./ BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Guitar

This performance was recorded live for Randall Franks TV.


07) Purple Robe – Randall Franks (4:45)

Songwriter: McLeod Odell
Publisher and PRO: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Fiddle
Butch Lanham: Guitar
Ryan Stinson: Piano
Cody Harvey: Banjo


"Ever since I heard the Lewis Family sing this song when I was a child, the song has had a special meaning for me, 'Purple Robe' reflects exactly what every gospel song should, the gift Jesus shared with us."
Randall Franks


“Purple Robe” was filmed live from the stage of the 171-year-old Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga. The song features Franks, bluegrass guitarist Butch Lanham, and two Share America scholars – pianist Ryan Stinson and banjo player Cody Harvey of Mountain Cove Bluegrass.


08) Medals For Mother – Randall Franks (2:03)

Songwriters: Betty Sue Perry
Publisher and PRO: Sure Fire Music Company, Inc. /BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Guitar


"'Medals for Mother' is a song I often performed for my mother. Now that she is in heaven, it means even more to know that I was able to thank her in life. We should take the time to thank all those who have made a difference in our lives." Randall Franks


This performance was recorded live for Randall Franks TV.


09) Precious Memories – Randall Franks (5:24)

Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Guitar


Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Fiddle
Butch Lanham: Guitar
Cody Harvey: Banjo
Ryan Stinson: Piano
Tim Owens and Journey On: Background Vocals


“'Precious Memories' is a hymn that folks seem to be drawn to on the fiddle. It evokes a deep sense of thought about those we love, the things that pull at our heartstrings and most of all the faith that connects those memories.” Randall Franks


“Precious Memories” was filmed live from the stage of the 171-year-old Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga.
The song features performances by Franks, Southern gospel performers Tim Owens and Journey On; bluegrass guitarist Butch Lanham, and two Share America scholars – pianist Ryan Stinson and banjo player Cody Harvey of Mountain Cove Bluegrass.


10) There’s More Room Outside Than In – Randall Franks (1:46)

Songwriters: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Vocal and Guitar


"This song is my sincere pray for everyone who is within listening distance. We not only CAN but SHOULD make a difference all we have do is try, just remember: 'There’s More Room Outside Than In.'" Randall Franks


This performance was recorded live for Randall Franks TV.


11) I’ll Shout and Shine – Randall Franks with the Watkins Family (1:41)

Songwriter/Arranger: James Coats and Eugene Wright
Publisher & PRO: Stamps-Baxter Music (a division of Brentwood-Benson Music Pub. Inc.)/BMI)


Musicians:

Randall Franks: Fiddle and Vocals
Lorie Watkins: Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Todd Watkins: Acoustic Bass and Vocals
Judy Watkins: Harmony Vocals
Blake Young: Mandolin


"Since I was in high school, I've wanted to record 'I'll Shout and Shine,'" he said. "The music of James and Martha was a mainstay of my mentoring from Eugene Akers. I later came to know them both and they blessed me with their encouragement and friendship."Randall Franks


Randall Franks performs a song live on television with Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame members The Watkins Family. The group and members received nominations for Impact Award and Female Artist of the Year from the Front Porch Fellowship hosted at the National Quartet Convention, Best Contemporary and Traditional Bluegrass Gospel Group by the Society for the Preservation of BlueGrass Music in America which hosts its annual awards in Nashville, and were also nominated as Best Bluegrass Act at the Coca-Cola Music Awards previously hosted in Atlanta.


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, this year 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 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 15 movies with superstars from William Hurt to Dolly Parton, with his latest release Broken with Soren Fulton.

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 Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RandallFranks
Like Randall Franks on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Randall-Franks/41082829233
Randall Franks TV on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/randallfranks
Visit Randall on Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291684/