Biography

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Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle

Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame

Independent Country Music Hall of Fame

International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Legend

Male Vocalist of the Year

Songwriter of the Year

2024 Musician of the Year - Violin/Fiddle

Randall Franks

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 Music Page and Links to All Albums

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

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

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

Randall Franks

AMERICANA/BLUEGRASS INSTRUMENTAL/COUNTRY/COMEDY

Appalachian Fiddler and American Actor Randall Franks began creating performances for TV in 1981. Original music, revising classics, or bringing unique characters to life in movies and on TV shows has endeared him to tens of millions around the world who continue to care about his work.

With the Americana release of The American’s Creed including original film music, classic bluegrass and Appalachian fiddling, live country/folk performances, a patriotic recitation and a classic comedy performance, Randall Franks marks his 40th Anniversary of his artist debut for the Grand Ole Opry® at its 59th Birthday Celebration in 1984. His appearance launched his recognition as a country music entertainer when Music City News highlighted him alongside Roy Acuff, Reba McEntire, Lee Greenwood, Bobby Bare, Alabama and the Judds. Franks continues his association with the Opry. The 1994 Male Vocalist of the Year (Country) and Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle – Randall Franks, is best known as "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night."

As an actor/director he released the film and documentary "The American's Creed" and "The Making of 'The American's Creed'" to film festivals around the world. Screening in countries from South Korea to Slovakia, he won the Bronze Award for the latter in the Spring 2024.
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“The American’s Creed” album by the 2024 and 2023 Musician and Inspirational Vocalist of the Year Nominee for the 10th and 9th Annual Josie Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House includes special music from the two films. The patriotic “The American’s Creed” Recitation, and separate releases of a special musical score including movements created by Franks on fiddle and Appalachian dulcimer, and internationally known Thumb and Finger Style guitarist Wesley Crider https://www.wesleycrider.com/.

Randall fosters the historic country music show The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree founded by Grand Ole Opry star Ramblin’ “Doc” Tommy Scott in 1945. The show enters its 79th year in 2024. Included in this collection are four live recordings from the show featuring Randall Franks, Ryan Stinson, Todd Watkins and Share America Scholars Caleb Lewis, Colton Brown and Dawson Wright. The sound is reminiscent of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys and similar country string bands.

Randall plays tribute to actor/entertainer Andy Griffith in the project with his performances of "The Crawdad Song" and "What It Was Was Football". Griffith, who is also a paternal cousin, inspired his desire to perform and act.

Randall also marks the 40th Anniversary of Four-Time Music Hall of Famer Bill Monroe starting to mentor the youth fiddler in 1983. He officially became part of Monroe's musical legacy touring the U.S. as a member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys replacing legendary fiddler Kenny Baker in the latter part of 1984. The release includes two live recordings from his work with Monroe – Back Up and Push and Road to Columbus. Public Itunes downloads of these recordings benefit Appalachian Youth musicians with the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship by the Share America Foundation, Inc.

Franks also toured with Grand Ole Opry’s Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys. His fiddle and other musical talents have contributed to the musical legacies of many 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 America’s Old Time Country Music, Independent Country Music, Atlanta Country Music and Tri-State Gospel Music halls of fame. He serves annually as the Celebrity Host of America's Grand Master Fiddler Championship stepping in the shoes of Roy Acuff and Porter Wagoner.

Additional Bonus Tracks May Be Added Through 2024 - Please Check Back

NEW CHARITY SINGLE RELEASE NOV. 1, 2024
12) Cotton-Eyed Joe - Randall Franks with Hall of Famer Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys (03:05)

Songwriters/Arrangers: Randall Franks and Bill Monroe
Publishers and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing and Blue Moon Music/BMI
Release: 2024
The American's Creed
Crimson

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

Funds raised from public Itunes and Amazon downloads of this recording benefit the Share America Foundation, Inc. and its Appalachian Musical Scholarships thanks to performers and James Monroe.

This recording is a Live Performance by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys at the Starry Night in Portland, Oregon on Oct. 31, 1984.

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.

01) Boil Dem Cabbage Down - Randall Franks and The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree (2:16)

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Vocals, Fiddle
Todd Watkins: Vocals, Bass
Ryan Stinson: Vocals, Piano
Dawson Wright: Banjo
Caleb Lewis: Guitar

Fiddlin' was a key component in Randall's life that changed his direction and opened doors for him. Boil Dem Cabbage Down is influenced by the Georgia fiddlers who he heard growing up from the Georgia fiddle bands. As a boy, he jammed with many, listened to their records, and some even tutored him as he grew like Gordon Tanner of the Skillet Lickers. The combination of fiddle and clawhammer banjo has always been part of his music and he continues that tradition with this performance.

"I think this is by far one of my favorite songs to perform," Randall Franks said. "I love the whimsical nature of the words and the feel of the fiddle variations. I was honored when I was asked to perform it for Dolly Parton in her movie 'Blue Valley Songbird' years ago."
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02) The American’s Creed M Two - Randall Franks & Wesley Crider (2:07)

Instrumental Version of the second movement of soundtrack from “The American’s Creed” film featuring fiddle, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer.

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks and Wesley Crider
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI & ASCAP
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle, Appalachian Dulcimer
Wesley Crider: Guitar

Featured Track

03) The American’s Creed (Recitation) - Randall Franks (1:26)

"It was these inspired words why I created my films to share, they mean a great deal to me and should to every single American,” said Randall Franks

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks, Wesley Crider and William Tyler Page
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI & ASCAP
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Voice, Fiddle
Wesley Crider: Guitar

"The American's Creed" is from the patriotic film and documentary screening in film festival's around the world. Franks stars as his ancestor Revolutionary War Patriot Robert Shields. The recitation appears as a portion of a letter that Shields wrote to his baby son when he left to fight with George Washington. The original words of The American's Creed were written by his kinsman William Tyler Page in 1917 and adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1918. The music is by Randall Franks and Wesley Crider. Founders George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams are cousins of Franks as were 46 other men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

04) Must Be A Reason - Randall Franks and The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree (2:04)

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks and James W. Roberts (James Carson)
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle, Appalachian Dulcimer, Guitar
Todd Watkins: Vocals, Bass
Ryan Stinson: Vocals, Piano
Dawson Wright: Banjo
Caleb Lewis: Guitar
Colton Brown: Snare Drum

Ever since Randall hit the top gospel charts with his debut album "Handshakes and Smiles," he continues creating gospel songs that he hopes will inspire people's fat
Former Capitol recording artist James Carson a.k.a. James W. Roberts began recording in the 1930s. He was a mandolin player, and son of the legendary fiddler, Doc Roberts. He and his wife Martha performed on WHIS in Bluefield, WV, Renfro Valley Barn Dance, and then at WSB in Atlanta, where they began performing as "James and Martha Carson, the Barn Dance Sweethearts", landing a decade of star status. They moved on to Knoxville's WNOX and were part of the noontime "Mid Day Merry-Go-Round" show. James also appeared with the Masters Family and many other acts after he and Martha split in 1951.

In the 1930s, James wrote a country song, "Must Be a Reason" and he allowed the award-winning songwriter and Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Famer Randall to rewrite it in a new direction which was greatly in keeping with James best loved gospel recordings.

"The song had a much different message originally,"
Randall Franks said. "I was honored that James had faith in me to bring a focus that could lead many in a new direction."
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05) The American’s Creed M Three - Randall Franks & Wesley Crider (1:26)

Instrumental version of the third movement of soundtrack from “The American’s Creed” film featuring fiddle, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer.

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks and Wesley Crider
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

The impact of actor/entertainer Andy Griffith, also a paternal cousin, on the life of Appalachian performer Randall Franks was pivotal in his development as a musician and actor.

"All I ever wanted to do was create Southern family movies, TV and music for all to enjoy," Randall Franks said. "Andy inspired that in me through his work and career. Including the Dillards on 'The Andy Griffith Show' and he himself playing and singing gave me a goal to do the same. I included him in my Encouragers book series."

The next two recordings reflect Franks admiration for Andy Griffith:

06) The Crawdad Song - Randall Franks and The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree (2:44)

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle, Appalachian Dulcimer, Guitar
Todd Watkins: Vocals, Bass
Ryan Stinson: Vocals, Piano
Dawson Wright: Banjo
Caleb Lewis: Guitar
Colton Brown: Snare Drum
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Featured Comedy Track

07) What It Was, Was Football – Randall Franks (5:44)

Songwriter/Arranger: Andy Griffith
Publisher and PRO: Bentley Music Company/BMI
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

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

08) Blue Suede Shoes - Randall Franks and The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree (1:46)
Songwriter/Arranger: Carl Perkins
Publisher and PRO: Carl Perkins Music Inc./BMI
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Guitar
Todd Watkins: Vocals, Bass
Ryan Stinson: Vocals, Piano
Dawson Wright: Banjo
Caleb Lewis: Guitar
Colton Brown: Snare Drum

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carl Perkins is one of the legendary acts with which Randall appeared in his varied career. Franks learned Perkins signature song from him, performed it with him and was even considered to play Perkins in a never produced film.

"I was so honored to spend time with Carl, his wife Val and their family," Randall Franks said. "His impact on my music was huge, I brought a Sun 45 of this song for him to sign that I had played over and over that my mother Pearl saved from her restaurant jukebox when it came out."
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09) The American’s Creed (Instrumental) - Randall Franks and Wesley Crider (4:25)

An instrumental version of the first three movements of the soundtrack from “The American’s Creed” film.

Songwriter/Arranger: Randall Franks and Wesley Crider
Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI & ASCAP
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle, Appalachian Dulcimer
Wesley Crider: Guitar


Musicians:
Randall Franks: Fiddle, Appalachian Dulcimer
Wesley Crider: Guitar

40th Anniversary Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys Releases

"Bill Monroe mentored me musically, taught me about being a band leader, brought me to the Grand Ole Opry as a guest artist," Randall Franks said. "Without Bill and all those associated with Monroe Enterprises back then, I would have never found an international stage for my music, let alone crossed over into acting for the American TV networks. He encouraged and inspired me beyond possibilities and opened the door for all those mentors and opportunities that followed."

Featured Fiddle Track

10) The Road to Columbus - Randall Franks with Hall of Famer Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys (2:34)

Songwriters/Arrangers: Bill Monroe
Publishers and PRO: Bill Monroe Music
Release: 2024 The American’s Creed
Crimson

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

This previously unreleased recording is a Live Performance by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys at Jane Addams Auditorium in Seattle, Washington on Nov. 1, 1984.

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.

"I couldn't fill the shoes of Kenny Baker, but I sure had fun trying," Randall Franks said. "I learned many of the tunes we know Kenny for and performed them along with my traditional tunes with the Blue Grass Boys. During the time I was guesting with Bill while Kenny was still there, I bumped into him coming out of a recording studio as I was going in. He asked me 'Son, are you trying to get my job.' I replied, 'No, sir.' but of course I wanted it, every bluegrass fiddler wanted his job, there weren't any who could fill his shoes though."

Funds raised from public Itunes downloads of this recording benefit the Share America Foundation, Inc. and its Appalachian Musical Scholarships thanks to performers and James Monroe.

11) 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: 2024
The American's Creed
Crimson

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

Funds raised from public Itunes downloads of this recording benefit the Share America Foundation, Inc. and its Appalachian Musical Scholarships thanks to performers and James Monroe.

This recording is a Live Performance by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys at Jane Addams Auditorium in Seattle, Washington on Nov. 1, 1984.

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.

Album:
Cover Art Design: Randall Franks
Painting: Greg Jackson

The American's Creed Recitation-Soundtrack:
Engineer & Recording Studio: Tim Witt, Tim Witt Studios, LaFayette,Ga.

Remastering of Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree and Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys recordings.:
Engineer & Recording Studio: Tim Witt, Tim Witt Studios, LaFayette, Ga.

What It Was Was Football
Engineer & Recording Studio: Randall Franks, Peach Picked Productions

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 Hall of Fame and 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
https://gab.com/RandallFranks
https://mewe.com/i/randallfranks1
https://www.pinterest.com/randallfranks/
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/randallfranks
https://www.reverbnation.com/randallfranks
RANDALL FRANKS TV:
https://www.brighteon.com/channels/RandallFranks
https://rumble.com/register/RandallFranks/