The Road to Columbus (2:34) - Randall Franks with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys

40th Anniversary Randall Franks with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys Release

"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 along 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."

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.