Randall Franks

Born into a family with deep roots in the entertainment industry, his relatives include notable figures such as Cecil B. DeMille, Buster Keaton, John Wayne, Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, Andy Griffith, James Dean, Katharine Hepburn and Bing Crosby.

[24][25] *Official website After taking a break from film and dramatic television from 2001 to 2009, he returned to acting in 2009, portraying attorney Alvin Potter in "Musical Theater of Hope" for Robert Townsend.

[37] His musical career has seen him appear on various shows, including "Country Kids TV Series," "Tonight at Ferlinghetti's," "Nashville Now," "Crook and Chase," "Miller & Company," and "HGTV's Extreme Homes.

[41] In 2024, Franks published "Seeing Faith: A Devotional," which includes 31 Bible studies based on the King James Version, drawing from his experiences in music, acting, and his Southern Appalachian heritage.

This devotional features contributions from seven pastors: Carroll Allen, Jeff Brown, Chris Bryant, Jamie Ellis, Justin Gazaway, David Sampson, and Mike Smith.

[52] He is an American journalist who began writing in high school, with early publications in "Bluegrass Unlimited," "SEBA Breakdown," [53] and "Precious Memories" magazine.

[54] Career Highlights: Randall Franks's musical journey was shaped by Southern Gospel piano and Appalachian fiddle, introduced to him at family gatherings.

He honed his skills under the guidance of notable fiddlers like Dallas Burrell, WSB (AM) Barndance Host Cotton Carrier, Gordon Tanner of The Skillet Lickers, and Anita Sorrells Mathis.

The Jamboree was created by Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott in 1945, which historically featured stars like Uncle Dave Macon, Stringbean Akeman, Carolina Cotton, Johnny Mack Brown, Ray Whitley, Sunset Carson, Fuzzy St. John, to Tim McCoy and others.

[60][61] The show featured guest appearances from celebrities such as Donna Douglas ("The Beverly Hillbillies"), Sonny Shroyer ("The Dukes of Hazzard") and Dan Biggers ("In the Heat of the Night").

[62] Over the years, the Jamboree has showcased diverse acts including The Sand Mountain Boys, Ryan Robertson, Barney Miller, Roger Hammett, James Watson, Bill Everett, Gilbert Hancock, Sue and Kim Koskela, Danny Bell, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys, Gary Waldrep, The Dowden Sisters, Ryan Stinson, the Watkins Family, Wesley Crider, Jaden Maxwell, Smith & Wesley, The Marksmen Quartet, Testimony Quartet, Getting Off Track, Colton Brown, Caleb Lewis, Dawson Wright and others.

Franks released music throughout the 1990s, including collaborations with The Whites and albums like "Sacred Sounds of Appalachia" (1992) and "Tunes and Tales from Tunnel Hill" (1995), both of which reached the Top 30 in bluegrass charts.

The Randall Franks Trophy was also awarded there and then at the 1890s Day Jamboree Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Ringgold, Georgia, with notable winners from 1994 to 2018 {Jack Weeks, Roy Crawford, Johnny Ray Watts (Three-Times), Aerin DeJarnette, Mark Ralph, Doug Fleener, Megan Lynch, Maddie Denton (Five-Times), and Tyler Andal.}.

During this stint, live recordings were captured, two of which, "Back Up and Push," "The Road to Columbus" and "Cotton-Eyed Joe" were later featured on the album "The American's Creed," released in 2016 and 2024, respectively.

The Marksmen Quartet received nominations for Dove Awards and recorded multiple albums, with Franks contributing to songs that performed well on charts.

Although Franks's active participation ended in the early 1990s, his connection with the group persisted; members of the quartet have continued to collaborate with him in various projects, including his 2012 DVD "Concert of Celebration.

"[82][83] Randall Franks was the inaugural fiddler for the gospel music duo Jeff & Sheri Easter, contributing to their career launch with their debut album, "New Tradition."

In 2000, Franks and Davis released an Appalachian brother duet album titled "God's Children," which featured contributions from Warrior River Boy Marty Hays and guest appearances by Sonny Shroyer, "Doc" Tommy Scott, and Cotton and Jane Carrier.

"[85] Randall Franks had a significant association with the Grand Ole Opry stars Jim & Jesse, beginning with his membership in their fan club during his youth.

"[88][89] Randall Franks began his collaboration with Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott and his Last Real Old Time Medicine Show in 1995, initially working behind the scenes as a songwriter, publishing administrator, and film catalog manager.

This partnership was captured on Franks's compilation album "30 Years on Radio and TV Volume I," where they jointly performed the tracks "Must Be a Reason" and "God's Children.

It includes guest appearances by Bluegrass Hall of Fame members Jim and Jesse McReynolds, and three-time Dove Award nominee Mark Wheeler.

[110] Albums Continued: Features: Performances by Randall Franks alongside artists like Paul Brown, John and Debbie Farley, Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott, Curly Seckler, Peanut Faircloth with the Trust Jesus Singers, Chubby Wise, David Davis, Johnny Counterfit, Gary Waldrep, Barney Miller, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, Butch Lanham, Doodle and the Golden River Grass, Dale Tilley, Jesse McReynolds, Johnnie Sue, and Nelson Richardson.

[116] Details: Live recording at the Ringgold Depot, featuring Randall Franks with Calvary's Blend, Cody Harvey, Butch Lanham, Tim Owens and Journey On, Ryan Stinson, and Johnnie Sue.

[119] Details: Includes 23 Christian and comedy recordings with guest artists like Raymond Fairchild, Voices Won, The Whites, Jeff & Sheri Easter, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys, Doodle and the Golden River Grass, Jerry Douglas, Steve Easter, Travis Lewis, Lewis Phillips, "Doc" Tommy Scott, Gary Waldrep, Mark Wheeler, Carol Lee Singers, and Darrin Chambers.

[121] Details: This album features 18 recordings with over 30 young performers aged 11–27 including Emerald Butler; Warren Carnes; Phillip Cross; Landon Fitzpatrick; Nicholas Hickman; Trevor Holder; Kings Springs Road of Johnson City, Tenn. including Tyler Griffith, Owen Schinkel, Kylie Anderson, Josh Meade, and Max Silverstein; Isaac Moore; Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band of Chattanooga, Tenn. including Eli Beard, Cody Harvey, Colin Mabry, Wil Markham, Tyler Martelli, and Chris Brown; Matthew Nave; Wally O'Donald; Drew Sherrill; SingAkadamie including Jacob Trotter, Grant Lewellen, Nicholas Hickman, Lilly Anne York, Haleigh Grey, Kayla Starks, Chelsea Brewster, Logan Lynne and Kiersten Suttles; Landon Wall; and Tyler West.

Singles: [125] "Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia" Singles (June 2019): [125] "Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia" "In the Heat of the Night Cast and Friends Christmas Time's A Comin'" "The American's Creed" "Faith Will See Us Through" "God's Children" "Keep 'Em Smilin'" "Handshakes and Smiles" "Mountain Opry Memories" "APD Music Page" [125] Recording Executive & Producer Randall Franks held the position of director of A&R for MBM Records and its associated labels, including Encore and ASL, where he also managed the operations of the company's publishing arm.

[128] Randall Franks and Alan Autry collaborated through Autry-Franks Productions to produce a charity CD titled "Christmas Time's A Comin'" featuring the cast of "In the Heat of the Night," including Carroll O'Connor, Howard Rollins, Anne-Marie Johnson, David Hart, Geoffrey Thorne, Crystal Fox, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Sharon Pratt, and others.

Through this venture, he has worked with artists including Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott, Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, and Curly Seckler.

He serves as the president of the Share America Foundation, which awards the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship to support youth in continuing Appalachian musical arts.