Help where you can

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The winds blew strongly, some trees crackled as the broke while other simply bent with the wind.

Around us houses were lifted off their foundations and some where obliterated into a pile of rubble or every stick that made them up was simply carried away in the wind.

These were some of my memories of living through a tornado 14 years ago that impacted 600 homes destroying many and many businesses in my home town. The coming weeks and months while serving in rescue, relief and rebuilding were an unbelievable experience that I would not wish to live again.

In the process of doing those efforts, rescue and relief workers develop their own type of post traumatic stress disorder. This doesn’t become apparent in many until after all is said and done.

Our Southern country and my native Appalachia have been dealt a terrible blow by Hurricane Helene and now we learn Florida will face another with Hurricane Milton as I write this piece.

As I watched the stream of bits and pieces coming out of east Tennessee, southwest Virginia, western North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, I found myself rolling back into my post tornado senses.
I had the urge to go out and get in the car to go to help with the rescue and response. The reality of it was, I was hours away, there was little I could do in areas where I was unfamiliar with the territory and without an organization on the ground to which I could connect, unlike in my own hometown.

As I saw ancestral towns that previous generations called home in distress, it pulled upon me, knowing there was little I could do at this point but pray and share opportunities for people to assist financially as I found solid leads for help.

From my experiences, I learned it is the local churches and local non-profit volunteers supporting local fire, sheriff’s and police departments alongside the responding city and county workers that carried us through. Endless hours and endless tasks as long as there were more to help, more to seek out, more to provide for days, weeks and months.

As I have seen the needs on social media streams, the remote areas impacted in the Appalachians, I know the rescuers have their tasks cut out for them to try and reach as many as they can. I have seen teams on foot, on horseback followed by pack mules or pack goats, folks on ATVs, and helicopters and drones carrying in supplies, and those same helicopters taking survivors to safety.

The devastation across six states will require months and in many areas years to recover as towns were simply wiped from the face of the earth. We need to include these rescue and relief workers and the victims constantly in our prayers as our lives go on as normal, theirs are mired in the mud that now surrounds all they knew.

If you are able to physically respond and volunteer in any of the impacted areas, I encourage you to seek out opportunities and bless those in need. If you are able to give, please find local churches or non-profits or those you know for sure are on the ground making a difference. My experience is your monies go farther and are better utilized with them than if given to well-known nationally known organizations. The one exception to nationally known in my experience is Samaritan’s Purse which I have seen on the ground working in the Appalachian areas. The Cajun Navy has been very active in the response as well. Also, there are many private helicopter pilots flying missions and their fuel costs are extensive. So, if you can find ways to help those through charities or individuals, I know it will be an appropriate place for funds.

Once all the areas are reached and the living are initially helped, there will be thousands without a houses because insurance will not cover their losses either at all or even in part. Their homes will have to be rebuilt and there will be need for money and volunteers.

There will likely be thousands that must be buried once that phase becomes the focus. I read of one family that lost fifteen members as a house slid down a mountainside. In the end, many families will never know what happened to their loved ones because no body will be recovered or will be recognizable or identifiable wherever they may have washed to rest. With their homes washed away, knowing whether they had any life insurance will likely be very difficult. Their survivors will need help and I imagine counties will be developing cemeteries for rest of the unknown victims.

“The American’s Creed – Recitation” is new music video and single from Actor/Entertainer Randall Franks

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Appalachian actor/entertainer Randall Franks, Crimson Records and Peach Picked Productions announce the release of a new patriotic recitation single and music video “The American’s Creed – Recitation“ from the award-winning performer. Written by William Tyler Page with music by Randall Franks and Wesley Crider, the creed was adopted by the United States Congress in 1918 as a statement of belief in America that would in time stand beside the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Randall Franks and Wesley Crider from the documentary film “The Making of ‘The American’s Creed’.”

 

Franks’s performance is taken from his new film and documentary “The American’s Creed” and “The Making of ‘The American’s Creed’” and the brand new official music video includes scenes taken from the films directed by Franks.

Randall’s recitation is now available to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct and on streaming services such as Itunes and Amazon and upon its availability rose to #5 in the AirPlay Direct Global Americana Singles Chart.
Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” found a viral success in 2019 with his recitation “What About All These American Flags?” from his #1 APD Global Americana Album from the Share America Foundation charity album “Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia.”
Crider is a world-renowned finger-style guitarist, known widely in gospel music, who combines the styles of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and others on his Wallace guitar to create an innovative, yet original style, Franks said.
“I was excited that he agreed to join me in adding to the feel of the films and this single,” he said. “He also made a cameo in the films which are set to be released in early 2025 in time for the American Revolution 250th.”
“I hope folks will also connect with these uplifting and encouraging words and also the music Wesley and I play behind it,” Franks said. “Perhaps from hearing it, they may be inspired to serve our country, state or community.”
Franks, who reduced his music and acting appearances to allow him to serve his local community for12years, said he sees serving the American experiment in elected or appointed office is a vital part of the vision our founders had for our success.
“They envisioned our best people taking time away from their vocations to serve their neighbors, acting in the best interest of all for some years and then returning back to their lives,” he said. “I was greatly honored to be there for my neighbors and to make a difference for generations to come in my hometown.”
Franks said his late parents instilled that service within him. It may also be passed down in his genes. According to Franks, his family tree includes 17 known grandfathers who fought on the side of the American patriots. Among his extended family are 48 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence including its author Thomas Jefferson.
“I sometimes jokingly say my family all got together in 1776 and formed their own country,” he said.
In “The American’s Creed” he portrays a fictitious version of his own patriot ancestor “Robert Shields” who fought in the revolution and in this case, Franks also directs it and its companion documentary that are making the rounds in film festivals around the globe becoming a finalist or award winner in several.
His latest album also includes other music from “The American’s Creed;” live appearances from his Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree; 40th Anniversary recordings of Randall appearing with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys – Wayne Lewis, Blake Williams and the late Tater Tate; and his comedy tribute to Andy Griffith – “What It Was, Was Football.” Funds raised from the Monroe recordings benefit the Share America Foundation, Inc. and its Pearl and Floyd Franks Appalachian music scholarships. Later in October. Franks will launched a new web page highlighting the 40thAnniversary of his first appearance for the Grand Ole Opry this month.

The Single – “The American’s Creed – Recitation”

“The American’s Creed – Recitation” is the latest single release from Randall Franks and focusing on the patriotic writings of his kinsman William Tyler Page.
Franks wrote a short film and a documentary to share initially around the world in film festivals and then for public release. He enlisted world-renowned finger-style guitarist Wesley Crider to enhance his fiddling.
“This is the first element of the American trilogy with ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ and ‘The Pledge of Allegiance’,” Franks said. “These words reflect why we believe in being an American. When William Tyler Page wrote these and Congress adopted them in 1918, I think those involved knew that we would need to be reminded of these thoughts again and again in future years.”
Franks said he hopes his radio friends will share the recitation as a regular reminder of the importance of what we believe as Americans. The recitation inspired the release of his #7 AirPlay Direct Global Americana Album “The American’s Creed.”
“The American’s Creed – Recitation” is now available from Crimson Records for radio programmers via AirPlay Director by requesting a direct download here. It is also available on popular digital streaming platforms such as Amazon here or Itunes here, or the Peach Picked Productions video can be seen on Randall Franks TV on Rumble (https://rumble.com/v5hqelo-the-americans-creed-recitation-randall-franks.html), YouTube (https://youtu.be/h8XPP00Fdiw), and Brighteon. For information, visit RandallFranks.com .

The American’s Creed – Recitation – Randall Franks  Single: (1:26) Video: (2:15)

Songwriter: Randall Franks, Wesley Crider and William Tyler Page

Publisher and PRO: Peach Picked Publishing/BMI & ASCAP

Radio may also email e.m.c.2publicity@gmail.com for a mp3. 

Trivia:

In “The American’s Creed” Randall Franks portrays a patriot who musters militia to fight for his cousin General George

Washington. Does the actor have a real-life relationship to Washington?

Yes, Randall and President George Washingtonare fourth cousins through Randall’s maternal line.

They share grandparents – Lawrence and Margaret Washington.

Sources: Franks and Related Lines Genealogies – Family Search and Ancestry 


About Randall Franks
Randall Franks is a former NBC and CBS actor; an award-winning author of 11 books with his latest being “Seeing Faith: A Devotional” and a murder mystery “A Badge or an Old Guitar;” a journalist and a syndicated columnist who inspires millions of readers in the South and Midwest each week.
The International Bluegrass Hall of Fame Legend and Grand Ole Opry guest star marks his 40th Anniversary of debuting for the show this October.
He is an Independent Country Music, America’s Old Time Country Music, Atlanta Country Music and Tri-State Gospel Music halls of fame member and a Georgia Music Hall of Fame honoree with a long list of awards in multiple music genres. Through his Share America Foundation, he inspires youth to learn and share the music of Appalachia.
Georgia honored him for his service and philanthropy to the people of Georgia for helping raise millions to assist those in need. He starred and co-starred in four TV series and in 18 films for Hallmark, CBS and UpTV. He shared in numerous acting awards including for his latest films “The Cricket’s Dance” and “The American’s Creed.”
He is a 2024 Inspirational Vocalist and Musician of the Year nominee and his song “God’s Children” went to #1 on the Cashbox charts in 2023. He currently hosts the music-fueled TV show “Appalachian Sounds.”
To TV fans, he is known best as “Officer Randy Goode” from the drama “In the Heat of the Night.” More information may be found at www.RandallFranks.com.

American music brings smiles

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When the sounds of Southern gospel music fill Pigeon Forge, Tenn., it must be time for the National Quartet Convention.

The LeConte Center hosts the annual event each September providing an opportunity for fans of all ages to hear and meet their very favorite traveling gospel singers since 1957.

I was able to attend this year and enjoy some of the most talented stars and up and coming performers on the main stage and on showcases at the event.

Jeff & Sheri Easter, the Troy Burns Family, the Inspirations, Jeff Tolbert and Primitive Road, the Kingsmen, the Down East Boys, the Dixie Echoes, the Perrys, Gold City and many others that play a part in Bill Gaither’s Homecoming Friends kept the attendees smiling, laughing, tapping their toes and praising the Lord for show after show.

Radio and television personalities catch them for special interviews and they spend hours around their merchandise tables talking with friends.

The Singing News Fan Awards – seeing groups such as the Inspirations sweep many categories, Ray Dean Reese honored for Lifetime Achievement and Karen Peck Gooch as Favorite Soprano and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductions honoring Herb Henry, Mike Holcomb, Kelly Nelon Clark and Jeff Stice are major highlights of the week.

I remember the earliest conventions I attended in Nashville, then Louisville and now Pigeon Forge. The genre still allows for the personal touch between the music stars and the fans, much as it has been done throughout its history. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the tradition in 2025, visit https://www.natqc.com/ to watch for future events.

Another destination of my recent travels was to participate in the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, N.C. where I was enthusiastically impressed with the large number of youth I found smiling and jamming in corners around the convention center between special conference events, concerts, the annual awards and exhibition hall where current performers share their latest and talk with fans. I was honored to direct segments of the award show this year working with my talented hosts Mike Compton and Joe Newberry. Compton’s work is well known for his many associations in numerous genres and for the hit film and recording “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

The annual IBMA Awards saw the Del McCoury Band win Entertainer of the Year; Deanie Richardson as Fiddle Player of the Year; Album of the Year by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway; Vocal Group of the Year is Authentic Unlimited; among other award winners and Laurie Lewis received a Distinguished Achievement Award; Wyatt Ellis received the Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year and Dobroist Jerry Douglas, banjo player Alan Munde and Radio Host Katy Daley were inductees into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. For 2025, the IBMA World of Bluegrass will move to Chattanooga, Tenn. Watch www.IBMA.org for future news.

On the heels of both these amazing events, many of the musical participants and attendees returned to their homes across the Appalachians and the South finding devastation in their communities brought on my Hurricane Helene. I encourage any of you reading these words to seek out local organizations across Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in the affected areas. Send monies to those that are closest to the victims that can make the greatest difference in the recoveries and eventually rebuilding of these communities. I pray for all affected. I fear the story to be told in the future will be one of greatest loss and sadness seen across these regions since the Civil War. That sadness will likely be recorded as not only from the impact of the storm but also from the lack of early response from authorities and others outside the region after the fact.

Strings, wood, tension and connections

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When I first held a violin in my hands, I was amazed by the shiny wood. How the strings connected to the tailpiece and the pegs running across the bridge and the fingerboard with a tension creating a vibration when plucked or bowed to create a sound.

When I opened the back of my piano, I was also fascinated by the intricate workings of the internal mechanisms which prompted the internal hammers to hit the strings and make the sounds when fingers hit the keys.

In both of these cases and most every other instrument that ever touched my hands, the similar nature of the creations used the tension of a tightened string to precipitate the opportunity of a musical sound to be created. That tension has lined the foot path upon which my shoes have traveled through my life.

The amazing miracle of that tension, has allowed me to make some amazing and not so amazing sounds with my fingers.

Those sounds have brought so many unique individuals into my life. Stars who we all know by name, some we once knew but are now fading as the new generations of stars fill people’s ears. Musicians who have created sounds that warm our hearts, spark our memories and uplift our thoughts, have stood within a few feet of me sharing their gifts beside me or me with them.

I could have never thought that possible when I first picked up that ¾ size violin and tucked it under my chin, picked up the bow and scratched a sound that could peel paint out of it.

That tension, those strings and the wood which as craftsman brought together, has given me an opportunity to chase my dreams of standing on stage and sharing what is within my heart and head.

It has made me friends, who similarly hold an instrument and entertain. The strings, the wood, the tension, the miles traveled and the long, long talks to fill that travel make brothers and sisters that will never leave you or forsake you.

They are there in sickness, in happiness, and in sorrow. It may be a helping hand, a performance, a call or so much more, but my music family is such a gift in my life. Sometimes, we may not see one another in years, but we can pick our conversation up where we left off. If we play together, we can once again find our groove usually pretty quickly. It’s actually almost second nature to us.

I could fill this column with dropped celebrity and star names who God brought into my life, but that’s not the focus of what I am sharing with you. If you are really interested, check out the bios on my website or Wikipedia.

My point here is in the case of musicians, unlike most folks, tension is a good thing, and how we connect with other like-talented folks. If I had not found that tension, my life would have been much poorer in the spirit and gifts of other folks. They have uplifted my walk down that foot path of life.

If you have the desire to play, it’s never too late, or perhaps you have a youth with those aspirations. Encourage their desires by leading them into and instrument that they can play throughout their lives and enjoy alone or with a small group of musicians.

The tension has been a bridge to a life I could never imagine. It might do the same for you or yours.