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Entertainer/actor Randall Franks releases songs of hope and faith

Randall Franks (Randall Franks Media: Anna Ritch)

Entertainer/actor Randall Franks releases songs of hope and faith

Multiple music hall of famer and former network actor Randall Franks releases a new musical collection – “Faith Will See Us Through” to radio through AirPlay Direct and to fans through Nimbit.

“Recent events within the United States moved me to bring forward this collection of songs – ‘Faith Will See Us Through’ which I hope and pray may encourage, inspire, and share the promise that the world’s darkness cannot destroy who we are within ourselves and within our larger American community,” Franks said.

“Striving for great goals is not a thing of the past, hoping for better is not a thing of the past, caring for others is not a thing of the past, we are those who are supposed to strive, share, hope and care for one another with God’s love within our hearts, His lessons on our lips, and His deeds moving our hands and our feet to encourage the world.”

Franks, who was selected as the first 2020 AirPlay Direct Evolution Grant recipient, released “Faith Will See Us Through” to radio through AirPlay Direct on June 1 and it rose to #2 on the Americana Global Album Charts within a couple of days and has held a steady at #3 with project singles charting in the top 20 in bluegrass, Christian music and Americana.

“Faith Will See Us Through” is the musical promise actor/entertainer Randall Franks leans upon. (Randall Franks Media: Anna Ritch)

Radio may find his new album at www.AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranks-FaithWillSeeUsThrough/

“I am so honored that thousands of radio presenters are able to find my recordings through AirPlay Direct and so many are using the songs to uplift their audiences,” Franks said. “Lynda and Robert Weingartz shared an amazing opportunity with me. Now, I am also pleased that folks who care about what I do are able to download their own copies of the songs.”

The new album is available for fans at www.Nimbit.com/RandallFranks.

Included in the collection is a new version of his 1990 radio single “You Better Get Ready” that helped raise his “Handshakes and Smiles” album to the top of the Christian music charts. He also included a new version of his 2000 song “God’s Children,” and the solo performances of the new songs “There’s More Room Outside Than In,” “When You Come Again” written with three-time Dove nominee Mark Wheeler, and “Heaven’s the Place to Be” with Darrin Chambers. He also offers new solo recordings of “Building on Sand,” and “Medals for Mother,” while welcoming talented musicians and singers on “Precious Memories,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Purple Robe,” and “I’ll Shout and Shine.”

Joining him on various songs are the Watkins Family – Judy, Lorie and Todd; Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band leader Cody Harvey; pianist Ryan Stinson; guitarist Butch Lanham; Tim Owens of the Old Time Preachers Quartet with Journey On – Bob and Josh Jenkins; and musicians Blake Young, Bill Everett, Mark Bramlett, Bill Burdette, and the late Faye Lewis and Barney Miller.

The Share America Foundation, Inc. and Crimson Records release benefits the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship encouraging Appalachian youth in music. Additional donations to the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship may be made at www.ShareAmericaFoundation.org.

The Appalachian singer and fiddler is a member of America’s Old Time Country Hall of Fame, as well as the Independent Country Music, Atlanta Country Music; and Chamber Business Person halls of fame and is an International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Legend.

Franks, who appeared as “Officer Randy Goode” of TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” scored two # 1 AirPlay Direct Global Albums in 2019 – “Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia” and “Christmas Time’s A Comin’.” He also and charted nine catalog albums in various genres and all his radio music links are at his AirPlay Direct Music Page: AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranks

For more information about Randall Franks, visit http://randallfranks.com/. Find the Encouragers book series and recent recordings here http://www.randallfranks.com/store/ or on https://www.amazon.com/Randall-Franks/. 

Radio may download his latest album and other music:

www.AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranks

www.AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranks-FaithWillSeeUsThrough/

www.AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranks-AmericanaYouthofSouthernAppalachia

Links on the web:

http://www.randallfranks.com/store/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291684/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHsC33yZsDsB8wA0WC5PVw

https://www.facebook.com/RandallFranksActorDirectorEntertainer/
https://twitter.com/RandallFranks

https://www.instagram.com/randallfranksactor/

https://www.reverbnation.com/randallfranks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Franks

Share America Foundation. Inc.

http://shareamericafoundation.org/

Randall Franks appears with former President Jimmy Carter

Randall Franks appears with former President Jimmy Carter

Country music humorist Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” recently debuted music and comedy from his upcoming Christian CD “Keep ‘Em Smilin’” at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga. to an international congregation.

“Performing years ago for a Carter family gathering and grand marshaling the Plains Day Parade are some of my favorite memories of my entire career and I shared those experiences in my latest book Encouragers II,” Franks said. “I was so honored to join in study, worship, and sharing of musical gifts with the congregation at Maranatha including some old and many new friends. It was a blessing to be with the Carters again whose service greatly influenced my youth and inspired my desire to serve.”

Pastor Jeremy Shoulta shared a musically-themed sermon entitled “Why Sing” based on Colossians 3:12-17. Franks blended his fiddling, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer sounds with songs and humorous stories intertwining with the message and congregational hymns. Hymns were led by music leader Danny Ariail and supported by Maranatha musicians Carol Anderson and Jan Williams. The congregation included worshippers from China, Japan, Australia, U.K., Canada and within the U.S. from Hawaii to Washington, D.C. Former President Jimmy Carter taught a lesson on King Solomon and then joined in worship with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Also among the congregation was National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis.

Franks’s latest book is “Encouragers II: Walking with the Masters” and his new CD “Keep ‘Em Smilin’” from Crimson Records will release in May. For more information, visit http://randallfranks.com/

North Metro Gospel Singing September 13

North Metro Gospel Singing

North Metro Gospel Singing Presents .. Shiloh Hills Baptist Church at 75 Hawkins Store Road in Kennesaw, Ga. will host the music ministries of former NBC and CBS star and IBMM bluegrass legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” of TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” acoustic Southern gospel award winning Watkins Family and Solid Gospel radio and Harmony Road TV host Les Butler on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 at the door or $15 advance and are available by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Robert York, 4030 Ebenezer Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30066. For more information, call (770) 926-6021.

Southern Gospel Music promoter Robert York of Georgia is taking a new direction for one of his upcoming shows

September 13th

Southern Gospel Music promoter Robert York of Georgia is taking a new direction for one of his upcoming shows.

Included among the top promoters in the U.S., York has hosted the top talent in the industry for his North Metro Atlanta Gospel Singings.

“We have decided to add to our concert lineup an evening of acoustic and bluegrass gospel,” York said. “Many people in our area have requested we do some of this type of show.”

York decided to include artists that enjoy success in several genres – Randall Franks, the Watkins Family and Les Butler.

The music ministries will appear on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. in the 600-seat Shiloh Hills Baptist Church auditorium at 75 Hawkins Store Road in Kennesaw, Ga.

Franks, a TV/Film star, columnist, musician, and entertainer is well known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.”

“Randall is a Top-20 selling Christian artist who has acted in several recent films and appeared for the Grand Ole Opry several times,” York said. “He is recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a Legend for his contributions to bluegrass.”
Adding to the entertainment of the evening will be emcee and musician Les Butler.

“Les is your weekend afternoon host on Solid Gospel radio across the country as well as the host of the popular weekend programs – ‘Front Porch Fellowship’ (bluegrass gospel) and ‘The Old Country Church’ (country gospel),” York said. “He is also host of popular TV show Harmony Road.  It’s not unusual to find him on stage at any given concert adding his talents from mandolin, piano, guitar, and Dobro to playing the bass. His show won the annual Achievement In Radio Award in 1999.”

One of America’s best loved acoustic music families – the Watkins Family have served as gospel music ambassadors from the state of Georgia to the world for more than three decades,

“Many family groups have made a name for themselves in the fields of gospel, bluegrass and country music but few can claim performance success in all three genres while never veering from their sincere dedication that their music should always reflect the love of Jesus,” York said.

York said whether the Watkins are performing on a grand stage with country stars such as Randy Travis and Diamond Rio, bluegrass festival or National Quartet Convention in front of thousands, or in the pulpit of a small country church, 2008 Impact Award nominee the Watkins Family raise spirits and hopes of the life to be led as servants of Christ through their harmonies.

“While the musical legacy of the Watkins family reaches back for generations in the mountains of northeast Georgia, their music today reflects the best in harmonies and musical instrumentation that can be heard,” York said.

According to York, if response for the concert is positive, then he will be looking seriously at adding more events that share the music of the mountains with Southern gospel audiences of Atlanta.

Tickets for the event are $20 at the door or $15 in advance by mail to Robert York, 4030 Ebenezer Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30066.

Share America Foundation chooses banjo player/vocalist for scholarship

The Share America Foundation, Inc. announced its second 2013 scholarship winner recently at its Sacred Sounds Fridays concert at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga.

The events help fund the organization’s Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” The scholarships honor students excelling in the Appalachian musical arts.

Banjo player Jonathan Barker, 19, of Copper Hill, Tenn. was selected as one of the 2013 winners. He is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville studying to be an emergency room physician. He is graduate of Copper Basin High School in Polk County.

“It is a distinct pleasure to be honored by Share America and receive this scholarship,” he said. “I know what a privilege it is to have the support of so many great people who help to make it possible.”

Barker has played banjo for 11 years and also plays guitar and sings lead and harmony parts. He performs regularly with his older brother Jeremy Barker, his parents Scott and Angie and fiddler Westley Harris as The Barker Brothers.

He is the younger brother of 2007 Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholar Jeremy Barker. Read more »

Appalachian entertainer/actor Randall Franks receives Independent Country Music Hall of Fame induction

Entertainer and actor Randall Franks joins historic country music luminaries such as A.P. Carter of the Carter Family, Pop Stoneman of the Stoneman Family, Uncle Dave Macon and Fiddlin’ John Carson in the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame.

Franks was inducted alongside several industry friends including Leona Williams, Razzy Bailey, Jean Shepherd, Jimmy C. Newman, the late Billie Jo Spears, Glenn Douglas Tubb, Jerry and Helen Burke, Leslie Elliott, Jim Lusk, Phyllis Cole and the late Johnny Carson.

Franks accepted the induction on behalf of those who he said invested in his life and encouraged him along his path.

“I first thank God for the opportunities and talents He provided, my late parents Floyd and Pearl Franks, Cotton and Jane Carrier, John and Debbie Farley, Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Roy Acuff, Perry Harris, Carroll O’Connor, Alan Autry, Johnny Carson and Phyllis Cole, the producers, directors, engineers, songwriters, managers, agents, disc jockeys, and those of you who bought records and show tickets, listened on radio, and watched me on TV.”

Hall of Fame member Jerry Cramer presented Franks the award as he also expressed his appreciation to the nominating committee for his induction. Read more »

Actor Randall Franks fiddles and funnies his way in the children’s adventure film “The Solomon Bunch”

Actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” makes a special cameo appearance in the children’s adventure “The Solomon Bunch” releasing Tuesday, Feb. 5 to DVD and on digital download.

“This was a tremendously fun movie to be involved in,” Franks said. “It is beautifully directed and shot. When I saw it, I just wanted to climb up into the screen and make Brookville my permanent home.

“All the young stars do a magnificent job in pursuing the mysterious misadventure while seeking the wisdom of King Solomon,” Franks said.

Among the youth stars are Abbey Kochman, Landon Dodson, Ethan Meeks, Micah Courtland, and Ashton Williamson. 

“The director Jason Prisk chose a rather eccentric comedic character named Edgar Albert for me to portray,” Franks said. “He is a musical savant that plays the fiddle. He adds some interesting engaging opportunities for the young actors.”

The International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend’s musical stylings have been heard in 150 countries and by more than 25 million Americans. His musical career boasts 18 album releases, 17 singles, and over 200 recordings with various artists from various genres. The award-winning fiddler’s best selling release, “Handshakes and Smiles” was a top twenty Christian music seller. Many of his albums were among the top 30-bluegrass recordings of their release year. The Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame member shared a top country vocal collaboration with Grand Ole Opry stars The Whites.

In addition to his solo career which includes 13 years of guest starring for the Grand Ole Opry, Franks is a former member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse’s Virginia Boys and has performed with Jeff and Sheri Easter, The Lewis Family, the Marksmen Quartet,  the Watkins Family, Elaine and Shorty, “Doc” Tommy Scott’s Last Real Old Time Medicine Show, and Doodle and the Golden River Grass.

Franks said it was an honor to join the adult stars Craig Crumpton, Audrey McCroskey, and Todd Maynor and all the cast who made this film so much fun to make and to watch.

The film received a rating of five out of five Doves by the Dove Foundation. 

The children’s film is from Image Entertainment, Slingshot Pictures, Creekside Films and Pinecrest Pictures.

For more information about Randall Franks, visit http://randallfranks.com/.

Gospel Music Today On SGNScoops.com

Actor/entertainer Randall Franks releases new Christmas music video

Entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” is featured on a new video release from Autry-Franks Productions highlighting his vintage studio recording of “Let’s Live Every Day Like It Was Christmas” performed with Grand Ole Opry stars – the Whites, Jesse McReynolds and Jerry Douglas.

“It was so much fun to see these performances like they have not been seen before,” Franks said. “Although we taped the performances to help promote the project 20 years ago, they were mainly used for news stories around the country and the song as a whole was never released. Seeing it and the other interview clips from the project brings back so many wonderful memories. All these wonderful actors and artists donated their time for this charitable effort.”

This performance featuring Randall vocally with Buck, Sharon and Cheryl of the Whites was included among the top 10 country vocal collaborations of the year when the song was released to radio.

It appears on the 20^th Anniversary “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” CD featuring the cast of TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” and Friends from Sonlite and Crimson Records in association with MGM. The CD was produced by Randall Franks and Alan Autry.

The charity CD raises funds for drug abuse prevention charities and features selections from the actors of the popular show with special appearances by country, bluegrass and gospel stars. A donation of $20 in the U.S. to receive the CD can be made at www.shareamericafoundation.org. “In the Heat of the Night” currently airs on WGN America. Read more »

“In the Heat of the Night” marks 20th Anniversary of “Christmas Time’s A Comin’”

It was just over 20 years ago that the stars of one of the hottest dramas on television stepped into the recording studio to raise their voices to assist charities that focused on drug abuse prevention.
Show stars Alan Autry, “Bubba Skinner,” and Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode,” organized the effort under Autry-Franks Productions bringing together the cast and numerous stars of country, bluegrass and gospel music to assist.
To mark the anniversary, the “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” CD is available again in association with original partner Sonlite Records, but this time exclusively available through the non-profit Share America Foundation, Inc. continuing the original purpose denoted by the cast and music stars.
“This project was a labor of love for us back then. Alan and I discussed earlier this year that we needed to share it once again with the millions of Heat fans who still watch us everyday and may have missed it the first time around,” Franks said.
Franks was the studio producer on the eight-month long production that included over 60 performers, visited seven studios in four states, included 12 recording engineers and took over 175 studio hours to complete.
“Christmas is a time for family and as we look back now, we notice that there are a few vacant chairs left by our Heat family and those entertainers that supported this project, so it makes us cherish these recordings even that much more,” Franks said. “Christmas music is timeless and I know these recordings will touch hearts this Christmas and for many decades to come.”
The CD was originally released in association with Sonlite Records, Crimson Records and MGM Worldwide Television Group and debuted officially from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry with a special appearance by Franks, Autry and show co-star David Hart.
Autry and Franks joined other cast members including the late Carroll O’Connor, the late Howard Rollins, Anne-Marie Johnson, Hart, Geoffrey Thorne, and Crystal Fox to perform a favorite Christmas song. Other cast members
including Wilbur Fitzgerald, Bob Penny and Sharon Pratt joined in on group performances of “Jingle Bells” and “Christmas Time’s A Comin’.”
Franks and Autry brought together several music stars that donated their performances. Among them Country Music Hall of Fame members Jimmy Dickens, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, the late Kitty Wells, the late Pee Wee King, and the late Grant Turner.
Other stars included Jesse McReynolds, the late Jim McReynolds, Jerry Douglas, the Whites, Mac Wiseman, the Marksmen Quartet, Ralph Stanley, the Lewis Family, the late Doug Dillard, the late Chubby Wise, Mose Davis, Bobby Wright, the late Johnnie Wright, the late Josh Graves, the late Jimmy Martin, Buddy Spicher, Jim Hoke, Abe Manuel, Jr., Ken Holloway, John Farley, Bill Everett, the late Gene Daniell and Wayne Lewis.
The project includes the sounds of bluegrass, jazz, rhythm and blues, Cajun, country and pop.
“One of my fondest memories of the project was bringing together the cast of a hit TV drama and my musical heroes – the legends of bluegrass on a recording for the first time in history,” Franks said. “Never before had all those bluegrass stars entered the studio to appear on the same song. Carroll loved it so much, he chose it as the title cut.”
Franks said one unique opportunity this time around is fans can also see never-before-seen original cast interviews about the project as special Internet features added at Randall Franks TV on YouTube between now and Christmas.
It is also available online at www.shareamericafoundation.org or via mail for a donation of $20, inside the U.S. ,and $25, outside the U.S., to the Share America Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
Autry and Franks continue acting. Autry’s latest film is “Forgiven” and Franks’s latest film is “Lukewarm.”
For more information about Alan Autry, visit autryentertainmentgroup.com or Randall Franks, visit randallfranks.com.