Randall Franks

Actor, entertainer, syndicated columnist, author, journalist, former NBC & CBS star (In the Heat of the Night), UPtv movie star, former vice mayor

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

The American's Creed starring Randall Franks, a multiple Film Festival Short Film Finalist, focuses on the American Revolution creating a parallel to The American's Creed through his patriot ancestor Robert Shields. https://t.co/Uzx43MQg6w
Amazon: https://t.co/zYh78WlJCm

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

I was blessed to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of a new film -- Set Free, shot in Northwest Georgia, from Soul Purpose Entertainment. Many of the cast and crew were in attendance with their families at The Colonnade.
The project from Director/Actor Brandon Cannon is an earnest look at some of the problems facing many rural communities and its residents while showing the only true path through these issues is faith in Jesus. I applaud the director, actors, cinematographer and the music director, and crew who brought the story to life. Well acted, well shot and an underlying score that suits the film. As a former TV Police Officer, it was a pleasure to see the police scenes portrayed so well! The film will run one additional night at the Colonnade on Saturday. Go and grab your tickets for tomorrow (Saturday, June 6) at the Catoosa Colonnade! Check it out wherever you might find it in the future. Thanks to the Jones Family (Semenye) who hosted my participation. It was great to see my cousins Shane Franks and his wife Sam, who has featured the film through interviews on his podcast and my friend Jessie Thornton, who had a cameo in the film! Congrats everyone. Well done, may the Lord use it for great things!

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

📯Just Launched! 📯
I'm thrilled to share the official release of my new book — Frankly Speaking: Thoughts on This and That! In this heartfelt collection, I open up about life’s simple joys, family, faith, Appalachian traditions, and a few personal stories you haven’t heard before. It’s 204 pages packed with 53 columns, never-before-seen photos, original illustrations, and plenty of Southern charm.
🎥Watch my personal video message about the book right here! Grab your personally autographed soft-cover copy directly from me at:
📎 https://t.co/eclcYCEzrr Or pick up the Kindle edition instantly for electronic readers:
📎 https://t.co/GHufAozhYz...
Thank you for your encouragement and support over the years — it means the world! I can’t wait for you to dive into these thoughts on “this and that.”
#FranklySpeaking #newbook #randallfranks #InTheHeatOfTheNight #FaithAndFamily #southernstories

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

I was honored to include Peabo Bryson among the amazing artists with whom I recorded in the 1990s. His talents were immense. He touched millions with his musical gifts. I am blessed that our paths crossed. Rest in Peace Peabo.

[ABC News @ABC]

BREAKING: Legendary singer and songwriter Peabo Bryson has died at 75.

The Grammy winner, known for his hit songs and duets, including "Beauty and the Beast," "A Whole New World" and several R&B classics, died on Tuesday, according to his family.
https://t.co/qGyKeR0MLH

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

Two-time Grammy-winning legend Jim Lauderdale @jimlauderdale shares a few thoughts in a quick 2:17-minute interview & promo!
Jim opens up about his early string band influences and his special participation in Randall Franks’ A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs on Down Yonder Too.
A Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee whose songs have been hits for George Strait, The Chicks, George Jones, and more, Jim brings authentic heart and history to this celebration of American folk music alongside Doodle and the Golden River Grass, The Skillet Lickers with (@PaulPuckett_com) Paul Puckett, (@domflemons) Dom Flemons, Randall Franks, and Grand Ole Opry star (@KetchSecor) of The Old Crow Medicine Show ( @crowmedicine ).
Don’t miss this warm, insightful look at roots music traditions! https://t.co/sN59rmAHen
Project details & music: https://t.co/phZiVqCAiP
Download the song on Amazon and Itunes to fund Appalachian Music Scholarships.
Jim Lauderdale’s official site: https://t.co/5HOpp6hala
See on YouTube: https://t.co/sN59rmAHen
Radio Find it on @AirPlayDirect : https://t.co/ALsZPA6Ymm
What are some of YOUR favorite classic string band or folk songs? Drop them in the comments!
#jimlauderdale #downyondertoo #azippedydoodleday #americanfolk #bluegrass #stringband #americana #randallfranks

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🎉Big Nomination News! Randall Franks, Jim Lauderdale, Doodle Thrower, and The Skillet Lickers have been nominated for Vocal Event of the Year at the 2026 Josie Music Awards for their collaboration "Down Yonder Too"! They’re among an outstanding slate of just 12 nominees in this category. Also part of the recording musically are Dom Flemons @domflemons , Paul Puckett @PaulPuckett_com and all the Golden River Grass - Wesley Clackum, James Watson, and Gene Daniell.
“This recording is a full circle moment for me, as I once sat at the feet of Skillet Licker Gordon Tanner learning to play the melody as a youth,” Franks said. “Through A Zippedy Doodle Day : American Folk Songs, performing it with Jim and these amazing artists is a dream come true. Thank you to all who made the nomination possible at The Josie Music Awards”
What an honor for these talented artists!
Learn more and listen:
https://t.co/cwJjrqtWCS
Jim Lauderdale’s @jimlauderdale official website:
https://t.co/6B5Ue1lhgi
The Skillet Lickers official Facebook page:
https://t.co/s6lQzo31Sd
Josie Music Awards @josiemusicaward official website:
https://t.co/LTsWpLoh2d
Congratulations to all the nominees and especially this incredible team who is creating A Zippedy Doodle Day : American Folks Songs to honor Doodle and the Golden River Grass and benefit Appalachian Music Scholarships! Download the song today from Amazon or Itunes or simply donate to fund scholarships!
#JosieMusicAwards #vocaleventoftheyear #downyondertoo #randallfranks #jimlauderdale #skilletlickers #azippedydoodleday

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🎉Big news from The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree!
Huge congratulations! Randall Franks’ earlier announced Musician of the Year nomination has now been joined by 5 of his fellow Jamboree musicians — bringing The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree to a total of 6 nominations at The Josie Music Awards!
• Colton Brown – Piano 🎹
• Randall Franks – Fiddle 🎻
• Landon Fitzpatrick – Banjo 🪕
• Caleb Lewis – Guitar 🎸
• Ryan Stinson – Piano 🎹
• Dawson Wright – Banjo 🪕
“I want to thank these amazingly talented performers who create some incredible music. Each one makes their instrument truly sing, and these nominations simply reinforce what I already knew — I’m blessed to work with the very best!”
— Randall Franks "We are so grateful to The Josie Music Awards and all who made these nominations possible."
If you haven’t seen their talents yet, catch them on Randall’s Appalachian Sounds TV Show at https://t.co/4iPATUsITz — plus YouTube and Rumble!
Learn more about the awards at the Grand Ole Opry House this September: https://t.co/Nn1201wROU
#JosieMusicAwards #TheHollywoodHillbillyJamboree #appalachiansounds #musicianoftheyear

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🎉Huge congratulations, Randall Franks!
Just announced: Randall has been named among the initial dozen fiddlers nominated for 2026 Musician of the Year – Violin/Fiddle at The @josiemusicawards to be awarded in September!
“Thanks so much to The Josie Music Awards and everyone who made this nomination possible,” Franks said.
As the most recent recipient of the violin/fiddle award, this marks his third year standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these world-class talents! 🎻🏆 https://t.co/1Zfz0HG1Dx https://t.co/Nn1201wROU
#randallfranks #JosieMusicAwards #musicianoftheyear #fiddle #bluegrass #countrymusic

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

Thanks to https://t.co/MlQLBHBSic for this coverage: https://t.co/WEYA08feAj

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🌔New Episode Alert from The Moonlit Road 🌖
The definitive online home for strange tales and ghost stories from the American South just dropped something truly special: Fiddler’s Dram: A Strange Tennessee Folktale.
Award-winning Appalachian fiddler Randall Franks steps into the spotlight, weaving haunting fiddle melodies that bring the characters to life.
“This was one of my first adventures acting through my fiddle—playing the roles of different fiddlers for a radio tale,” Franks said. “I have deep Tennessee roots, and getting the chance to be part of this special storytelling was really enthralling.”
Masterfully narrated by Southern storytelling legend David Hirt of Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Ready for a spine-tingling ride down a moonlit Tennessee road? 🎻👻
Listen now:
📎 @themoonlitroad Website: Fiddler’s Dram: A Strange Tennessee Folktale https://t.co/R6wJH6AVLA
🍎Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/lkAgZjw7hk...
🎧Listen here Spotify: https://t.co/j3lcpgNkD1
What’s your favorite Southern ghost story? Drop it below — and tag a friend who loves a good fiddle-filled folktale!
#moonlitroad #ghoststories #appalachianfolk #SouthernFolklore #fiddlersdram #podcast

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

Randall Franks was privileged to join SAR brothers from the General Nathanael Greene Chapter - Sons of the American Revolution for a Liberty Tree Dedication in Ringgold on May 9 leading attendees in America the Beautiful backed by Garrett Holder.

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Evelyn Cox Hobbs of the multi-GRAMMY winning The Cox Family. In this 1990 photo, Evelyn is on the left as the family backed me at one of many festivals or events where they graciously served as my band. I was blessed to stay in she and Marv's home while appearing in Cotton Valley, La. many years ago. The entire family were a blessing to me! Evelyn was a tremendous joy whose talents were immense! My prayers for her husband Marv, their daughters and grandchildren along with siblings Sidney, Suzanne, Lynn and all their families.
https://t.co/fTaxWu4Q0X

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🌙Wake Me, I’m Dreaming Some nights the line between dream and reality feels thinner than the sheet on my bed.
Read my newest Southern Style column here:
https://t.co/TQJq426isV
From childhood nightmares that sent me running to my parents… to those mysterious “dress rehearsal” dreams that later played out in real life… to the gentle ones that now carry me back to old homeplaces filled with grace.
I’ve learned dreams aren’t just random—they can be guidance, comfort, and quiet reminders that we’re right where we’re supposed to be.
What about you? Have your dreams ever prepared you for what was coming… or brought you peace when you needed it most?
I’d love to hear your dream stories in the comments. Sweet dreams, friends. 💛
#southernstyle #dreams #FaithAndLife #randallfranks

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

Join the Down Yonder Too 5000 Download Challenge with Third Generation Skillet Licker Phil Tanner and Artist/Producer Randall Franks. Phil shares his thoughts about Doodle and the Golden River Grass - for the A Skillet Lickers Centennial single Down Yonder Too - The Skillet Lickers (Phil and Russ Tanner), Doodle and the Golden River Grass, @domflemons, Randall Franks, @jimlauderdale, @PaulPuckett_com and Grand Ole @opry star @KetchSecor .
For more information: https://t.co/phZiVqCAiP
Radio Downloads Available from AirPlay Direct: https://t.co/fQ8CYibfS9
Watch on YouTube: https://t.co/HBnPYfvFu8
Download on Amazon and Itunes.....
#downyondertoo #azippedydoodleday #America250 #doodleandthegoldenrivergrass #skilletlickers100

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🎶Just dropped: The latest Appalachian Sounds episode! 🎶
Grab your banjo and get ready for some foot-stompin’ bluegrass! This week we’re featuring the incredible Cody Harvey of Mountain Cove Bluegrass @Mtn_Cove on banjo tearing through the classic “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” joined by host Randall Franks on guitar. Pure mountain music magic straight from the heart of Appalachia! Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://t.co/BtfVDvDy06
Rumble: https://t.co/mi6cDZe3pj...
For more episodes, behind-the-scenes, and all things Appalachian Sounds:
https://t.co/4iPATUsITz
Who else is ready to hit play and let the good times roll?
Drop a 🪕 in the comments if you’re tuning in!
#appalachiansounds #bluegrass #banjo #FoggyMountainBreakdown #mountaincovebluegrass #randallfranks

[Randall Franks @RandallFranks]

🎉Great News for A Zippedy Doodle Day! 🎶
We are thrilled to announce that award-winning country singer Lee Newton has joined Randall Franks's "A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs" project as a featured performer!
Lee Newton (@LeeNewtonMusic), a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter from Western North Carolina, brings her soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling to the project. Known for blending traditional country with touches of blues and Southern rock, she has released multiple albums, earned multiple The Josie Music Awards (including Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year), and performed on prestigious stages including the Grand Ole Opry.
She will deliver a special featured performance and join her husband Dale Houston ( @dale_houston) for a folk duet appearance, adding rich harmony and emotion to this celebration of Appalachian and American folk heritage.
You can hear Lee Newton’s music on her albums such as Homesick, Unleeshed, and Crossroads, along with popular singles like “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” “Carolina Rain,” available on major streaming platforms. For more about Lee, visit https://t.co/lcyMyZsS9a .
👉For full details on the "A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs" project—including the historic string band album, documentary, and its tribute to John “Doodle” Thrower and the Golden River Grass—please visit:
https://t.co/kvFLkY3rvs
Don't wait, Go Ahead a Donate to Appalachian Music Scholarships Today at the link above, and make a difference!
Stay tuned for updates as Lee and Dale contribute to this special collection of American folk songs. Thank you for supporting traditional music!
#azippedydoodleday #americanfolksongs #leenewton #dalehouston #countrymusic #traditionalmusic #appalachianmusic #randallfranks