He is a founding member and guitarist for doom metal band Trouble.

In 1979, he formed the band with his hometown friends Eric Wagner, Rick Wartell, Jeff Olson, and Ian Brown.

After touring the Midwest and gaining popularity, Trouble was signed to Metal Blade Records in 1983.

Franklin is also a member of the band Supershine featuring King's X frontman Doug Pinnick and longtime Trouble drummer Jeff Olson.

He implements down tuned heavy metal riffs similar to Black Sabbath's, but mixed with highly psychedelic leads of Rick Wartell.