Randall Franks (left) and Marty Hays (right) present Wyatt Ellis with his David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship certificate at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville, near Nashville. (Photo: Teresa Ellis/Share America Foundation)
The Share America Foundation, Inc. proudly announces 16-year-old singer and mandolinist Wyatt Ellis of East Tennessee as the 2025 recipient of the David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship, honoring students who excel in Appalachian musical arts.
The late Bluegrass star David Davis is remembered with a scholarship.
This scholarship commemorates bluegrass legend David Davis, mandolinist and leader of the Warrior River Boys for 40 years, who passed away in September 2024.
Ellis, a former student of Davis, first met him at age 12 during Monroe Mandolin Camp. “David was an incredible High Lonesome singer with such passion,” Ellis recalled. “He saw my love for singing and playing mandolin and took pride in nurturing it. I hope to honor his legacy by carrying forward that same passion.”
“I wish you great success,” she said. “David would be so proud of how you’re carrying on with what he shared with you.”
Marty Hays, a 30-year veteran of the Warrior River Boys, presented the award alongside Randall Franks, representing the band’s support.
“David shared the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe and others with his unique style,” Hays said. “It brings joy to my heart to see a musician of Wyatt’s age, singing Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley songs on the Grand Ole Opry.”
Ellis, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart with his album Happy Valley, featuring instrumentals written at age 11. A 2025 IBMA New Artist of the Year nominee, he began performing at the Grand Ole Opry at 13 and now leads the IBMA Momentum Award-nominated Wyatt Ellis Band. His latest single, “Country Boy Rock and Roll,” is finding wide appeal, and he is featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents exhibit.
Ellis will receive the scholarship funds upon enrolling in college. He and his band will appear at the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival in Rosine, Ky. On Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 on an evening when the festival will also share a memorial tribute to David Davis. For more information, visit https://jerusalemridgefestival.com/.
Davis and his troupe toured with Randall Franks’ country variety show, now in its 80th year – The Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree, beginning in the 1990s.
“Wyatt’s talent is inspiring youth and adults to embrace traditional bluegrass,” said Randall Franks, Share America Foundation board member. “My late parents, Pearl and Floyd Franks, for whom this scholarship is also named, would be proud of how Wyatt is expanding the reach of Appalachian music.”
The scholarship is funded through donations, grants from organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Fort Oglethorpe and the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment, special events, and projects like the Share America Foundation’s #1 Global Americana CD, Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia, available for donation at ShareAmericaFoundation.org, Amazon, and iTunes, and the upcoming A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs.
Follow Share America Foundation, Wyatt Ellis, and Randall Franks on Facebook and other social media platforms.
About David Davis
David Davis, a mandolinist and vocalist, was a key figure in preserving the stylings of Bill Monroe and Appalachian roots music. Leading the Warrior River Boys since the 1980s, he earned acclaim through Rounder, Time Life, Wango, and Rebel recordings, including Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole. A 2010 Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee and 2014 National Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame honoree, Davis mentored countless musicians through performances and workshops.
About Wyatt Ellis
Wyatt Ellis, 16, is a rising bluegrass star from East Tennessee. A singer, mandolinist, and multi-instrumentalist, his debut album Happy Valley topped Billboard’s Bluegrass chart. A 2025 IBMA New Artist of the Year nominee, Ellis performs with his Wyatt Ellis Band and has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry and in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents exhibit. Learn more at https://WyattEllis.com.
About Randall Franks
Multiple music hall of fame inductee and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Legend Randall Franks, known as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s In the Heat of the Night, is an actor, musician, author, and Share America Foundation board member. A former collaborator with David Davis through both the Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree and the Warrior River Boys, Franks is dedicated to preserving Appalachian music traditions. He currently hosts the TV show Appalachian Sounds. Visit RandallFranks.com for more information.
About Share America Foundation, Inc.
The Share America Foundation, Inc., based in Northwest Georgia, supports the preservation of Appalachian music through scholarships, events, and projects. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of Randall Franks. Its board includes Franks, Chairman Gary Knowles, Vice Chairman John Brinsfield, Secretary James Pelt, and Vice President Jerry Robinson, Sr. Learn more at ShareAmericaFoundation.org.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.png00Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-09-03 10:00:532025-09-02 22:41:44Share America Foundation Names Wyatt Ellis as 2025 David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Recipient
As we ease our way toward the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the profound sacrifices that birthed our nation. On July 4, 1776, 56 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence, a bold assertion of liberty that ignited a revolution.
Like many Americans, my family tree is deeply entwined with that struggle. Twenty of my ancestors stepped forward as Patriots to fight for independence, while a few aligned with the Loyalists, and others may have served among the British regulars. Their stories unfold across the colonies, in famed battles like Brandywine and King’s Mountain, as well as obscure skirmishes known mostly to historians.
Recently, my research uncovered two more Patriot ancestors—a fifth great-grandfather and a fourth great-granduncle—adding fresh layers to this personal history. One such story centers on my fifth great-grandfather, John Samples, of Richmond County, Georgia. In 1777, he joined the Georgia Militia under captains aligned with Colonel Elijah Clarke, a renowned Patriot leader celebrated for his guerrilla tactics. His service culminated in the Battle of Alligator Creek Bridge on June 30, 1778, during the third and final Patriot attempt to invade British East Florida.
Authorized by Georgia’s assembly, the campaign aimed to seize St. Augustine and halt Loyalist raids, but it was doomed by command disputes between Continental General Robert Howe and Governor John Houstoun. By late May 1778, about 1,300 men—Georgia militia and South Carolina Continentals—had advanced into Florida. On June 29, Howe occupied Fort Tonyn near modern Hilliard, Florida.
The next day, a detachment pursued retreating Loyalist Rangers led by Colonel Thomas Brown south to Alligator Creek, a swampy tributary west of present-day Callahan, Florida, near U.S. Route 301. Likely led by Colonel James Screven’s cavalry and supported by Clarke’s militia of 100–300 men from Richmond and Wilkes Counties, the Patriots assaulted a British redoubt at the bridge. The terrain was unforgiving: dense swamps, a wide ditch, and felled trees that bogged down the cavalry.
Opposing them were British regulars, Loyalist militia (including Brown’s East Florida Rangers), and Native American allies, possibly Creek or Seminole warriors, totaling 200–400 men with a numerical edge. The British unleashed a flanking ambush, sowing chaos amid the lack of distinct uniforms.
The Patriots endured heavy losses: about eight or nine killed, nine wounded, and several captured, according to accounts from the American Battlefield Trust. Clarke himself was severely wounded, and Screven was injured. British casualties were lighter, around four or five killed.
The Patriots retreated, and the expedition unraveled by July 14 due to disease, desertions, and supply failures. John Samples was among those captured in the fray.
He was imprisoned at St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos, where brutal conditions—starvation, disease, and abuse—claimed many lives. Tragically, he died there, the only ancestor I know of who gave his life in the war.
Tory raids later destroyed his Richmond County home, forcing his family to flee.
In the wake of his father’s death, my fourth great-granduncle, Jesse Sampley, enlisted in 1779 at age 15 or 16.
Serving under officers like Ensign William Luker and Captain James Ryan, he fought Tories and British forces until 1783, often in South Carolina and Georgia campaigns.
Jesse’s 1833 pension application and claims for war reimbursements provide the richest details about John’s service and the family’s hardships.
As we approach a decade of semiquincentennial commemorations—from the Declaration in 2026 to the Treaty of Paris in 2033—let us remember these unsung heroes. Their valor forged our freedom. Each year, honor their memory: visit a battlefield, read a history book, or share a family story. In doing so, we keep the spirit of 1776 alive.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-08-29 06:00:222025-08-18 01:28:59A Family’s Sacrifice in the Fight for Independence
Opening new music is like unwrapping a present—you never know what delights await, but in bluegrass, it’s often a blend of tradition and fresh energy. Two recent projects exemplify this: Junior Sisk’s lively It’s All Fun and Games and Shawn Camp’s upcoming tribute The Ghost of Sis Draper. Both honor the genre’s roots while delivering something new for today’s listeners. Out now since July 18, It’s All Fun and Games is the latest from award-winning bluegrass artist Junior Sisk, available on all major digital platforms via Turnberry Records. It showcases his signature traditional voice with powerful vocals, tight instrumentation, and a mix of humor, heartbreak, and heritage. The 11 tracks feature talents like Heather Berry Mabe, Tony Mabe, Johnathan Dillon, and Curt Love, building on the success of pre-release singles “Sweeter Than Tupelo Honey” and “Where Love Goes to Die.” This album is poised to be one of Sisk’s most acclaimed yet.
“Creating a new recording is always a challenge, and naturally, it starts with the songs,” says Sisk. “I’ve been blessed through the years to have some very talented songwriters to call on. As always, I try to stick to my traditional bluegrass roots while making a song sound new and current for today’s listeners. I’ve recently been interested in finding old country tunes and reviving them in my own voice.
“I’m excited to have been able to co-write several original tunes with songwriting greats such as my dad, David Stewart, and Jerry Salley,” he adds. “I have some extremely talented musicians by my side who always take the songs to the next level with their creative work. The goal is to create a project that makes us happy as artists—and hopefully, the fans enjoy what we’ve created as well. Happy listening, folks.”
Grab a CD atjuniorsisk.com.
Meanwhile, another bluegrass torchbearer, GRAMMY-winning producer and songwriter Shawn Camp—of The Earls of Leicester fame—is set to releaseThe Ghost of Sis Draperon September 12 via Truly Handmade Records. This concept album features 10 songs co-written with the late Guy Clark and one solo Clark composition. “This is as much Guy Clark’s album as it is mine,” Camp says.
The project stems from Camp’s childhood legend: At age seven, he met traveling fiddle player Sis Draper at a pickin’ party in Arkansas’ Perry County hills. Years later, while songwriting with Clark in Nashville, Camp shared the story, sparking “Sis Draper” and subsequent tunes like “Magnolia Wind.”
For years, they’d revisit the “Sis” theme when stuck on other ideas.The Ghost of Sis Draper weaves songs tied by characters, narratives, and old-time fiddle tunes. Arkansas fiddle great Tim Crouch revives Draper’s spirit, backed by Mike Bub on bass, Chris Henry on mandolin, Jimmy Stewart on dobro, Cory Walker on banjo, and Camp on guitar and vocals. Recorded in one day at Nashville’s Clement House (formerly The Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa), it immerses listeners in a sharply drawn world.”
We intentionally wrote songs that fit together,” Camp explains. It’s the definitive close to the Sis Draper saga and a tribute to his friend Clark. “That’s part of my passion for putting it out—to try and keep him alive!” Check it out atshawncamp.com. Whether it’s Sisk’s fun-loving revival or Camp’s ghostly homage, these albums prove bluegrass remains a gift that keeps giving. Unwrap them soon.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-08-20 06:00:192025-08-13 11:49:23New music is like opening a present
Music has always been a source of respite, offering an escape from daily life, even if just for 3.5 minutes. It weaves a soundtrack into our lives from the moment we grasp its power to touch us. The rhythm, lyrics, and melodies resonate deep within, from the toddler clapping along as a parent teaches a nursery rhyme to the teenager discovering their own musical identity.
As we grow, we develop our tastes, often shaped by friends or refined through personal exploration. In my youth, television, radio, and the occasional film guided my generation toward the sounds that defined us. Pop, Country, Rock and Roll, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues — each of these carried a gospel thread, echoing from church choir of the gospel songs shared from hymnals. Regional styles like bluegrass, folk, and zydeco added richness, while classical and opera spoke to others. These genres fostered connection, sparking dances, concerts, music festivals, and jam sessions, both casual and formal.
For decades, certain tunes became part of the American songbook—melodies and lyrics nearly everyone could hum or sing. These shared anthems united us. But in a short time, new genres emerged, and the way music was delivered fractured. Internet platforms, with their endless choices, segmented audiences by generation, culture, and region. The once-unified musical fabric began to unravel, and the American songbook stopped growing with songs everyone knew. What caused this shift? We may never know, but the days when half the country shared the same musical moments are fading.
As a musical artist, I strive to create music that bridges these divides, just as my friends do. One such artist, Wyatt Ellis, a young talent like I once was, recently released a vibrant single and video, Country Boy Rock and Roll, alongside Trey Hensley. This nod to Don Reno and Red Smiley’s classic blends tradition with fresh energy—a must-listen for anyone craving music that unites: [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytp7JEjTLUY .].
Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard (left) and Jeannie Seely with guest star Randall Franks backstage in Nashville while performing in 1995.
We recently lost a legend who embodied the shared songbook era: Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely, who passed at 85. Since 1966, the Grammy winner performed on the Opry stage more than any other artist. When I first performed there, her kindness lifted me, a gesture she repeated through the years. Jeannie inspired generations of singers, and the outpouring of love online and in the media reflects her impact. As legends like her leave us, we lose pieces of the American soundtrack that shaped our world.
Yet, music endures. What song from your childhood still stirs your soul? Let’s honor our musical heritage by discovering new voices and sharing the melodies that connect us, keeping the American songbook alive for generations to come.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-08-13 06:00:292025-08-13 12:04:57Fading notes of the American songbook
Life can change in an instant—a friend’s sudden passing or a loved one’s terminal diagnosis forces us to confront our fragility. Whether it comes from natural causes, an accident, or intent, death is part of life’s path.
Over time, I have lost parents, relatives, close friends, and acquaintances. Depending on their closeness, the impact on our lives varies.
Recently, I learned my cousin faces a dire cancer diagnosis with no clear medical path forward. In such moments, many of us turn to faith, praying for healing or strength, trusting in God’s plan, whatever the outcome. I have spent time in prayer for him and his family.
As believers, we seek miracles but also recognize healing can come through God’s tools—medicine, healthy habits, or spiritual practices. Caring for our bodies with proper nutrition and exercise strengthens us to face life’s challenges. A longtime actor friend of mine recently received a terminal diagnosis. He approached it by enhancing his already healthy lifestyle, making every effort to overcome it as mentioned above. I recently learned his efforts succeeded; the disease is no longer terminal.
Likewise, feeding our spirits with uplifting words, whether through scripture or inspiring stories, sustains our hope. Yet, even with prayer and effort, we sometimes lose those we love. I’ve been on both sides—praying for others and being prayed for during my own health scares. Each time, God granted me more time, perhaps because my work here isn’t done. But when loved ones leave us, their absence carves a new path we must walk alone.
Grief is personal, unfolding at its own pace. Days or months may pass, but one morning, the pain softens into cherished memories. I still remember the day I emerged from grief after my mother’s death. I found a new lease on life, inspired by her love for me.
We honor those we’ve lost by living fully, carrying their spirit in our hearts. Through faith and resilience, we find a new sunrise—a life that reflects the love they’d want us to share. We hold hope that God walks beside us through life’s darkest valleys. Some writers suggest He carries us through them, and I find great solace in that thought.
Notes: My cousin Shane Bruce mentioned above did pass with his family around him. My acting friend – Jeff Rose – is now sharing about his new lease on life in interviews and online. Find him and be inspired.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-08-06 06:00:262025-08-13 12:43:04Life’s Fragility and the Path Through Grief
As I glanced up from the worn linoleum floor, the air thrummed with the pulse of strings. Three fiddlers, two guitarists, and a banjo player surrounded me in their ladder back chairs, their notes weaving a spell that held me captive. I was a young fiddler then, hanging on every phrase from Gordon Tanner, Paul Jordan, and Dallas Burrell, desperate to steal a lick or two to spark my own playing.
In my North Georgia hills, these men were more than musicians—they were torchbearers of a fiddle tradition that helped birth hillbilly music, a sound that echoed from porch swings to the world’s stages. Gordon Tanner’s legacy loomed largest. As a teenager in 1934, he recorded the million-selling “Down Yonder” with his father, Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers, a band whose raw, joyful energy defined early country music. Their records, cut in makeshift studios and broadcast through crackling radios, carried Georgia’s red clay soul to listeners far beyond the Appalachians. Gordon’s Gold Record was proof of their reach, a testament to a family that turned fiddles into time machines.
The Skillet Lickers and Paul Puckett add their historic flair with Randall Franks
Last week, I stepped into that history, recording with Gordon’s son, Phil, and grandson, Russ, alongside Paul Puckett in Dacula, Georgia—the Skillet Lickers’ hometown. Our studio was no polished soundstage but the Tanners’ old chicken house, transformed into a shrine of musical heritage. Faded photographs, yellowed posters, and framed 78s lined the walls, each artifact whispering of Tanner legends and others like Fiddlin’ John Carson, Riley Puckett, Clayton McMichen, Lowe Stokes, and Anita Sorrells Mathis. These pioneers dominated Georgia’s music scene in the early 20th century, their bow strokes and guitar runs shaping a sound that flowed through my mentors into my own fingers, like a river carving its path through time.
Though the Skillet Lickers’ commercial peak faded by mid-century, their music never dimmed. It lived on in the hollers and hamlets of the South—at raucous fiddle contests, folk and bluegrass festivals, weathered pickin’ barns, and late-night living room jams where players swapped tunes until dawn.
As a boy, I’d sit cross-legged at these gatherings, my fiddle resting on my knee, watching weathered hands coax magic from strings. Those moments forged my love for the music, passed down not through sheet music but through calloused fingers and shared stories, generation to generation.
Recording in that chicken house felt like stepping into a dream. As Phil, Russ, Paul and I traded notes, our music became a bridge across decades, blending the Skillet Lickers’ fire with a band I fiddled for, Doodle and the Golden River Grass. We were laying tracks for “A Zippedy Doodle Day,” a charity album to fund Appalachian music scholarships, uniting Georgia’s first fiddle band with its last. Each pluck and bow stroke was a brushstroke on a rhythmic canvas, painting a sound we hope will resonate for years, just as the Skillet Lickers’ records still stir my soul. The Tanners’ keepsakes—framed record sleeves, a worn fiddles, a concert poster —surrounded us, grounding our work in their legacy. I thought of my younger self, a boy mesmerized by flying bows and rosin dust swirling in the air, dreaming of touching the magic of my heroes. Now, here I was, not just chasing their sound but adding my own notes to their story. It’s a humbling honor, one that carries a responsibility to keep this music alive for the next generation.
The Skillet Lickers’ spirit reminds us that music is more than sound—it’s a living thread, connecting past to present, heart to heart. Our project aims to ensure that thread endures, supporting young musicians who’ll carry the fiddle’s voice forward. In that chicken house, we weren’t just recording; we were keeping a promise to the music that raised us and the people who inspired us. Learn more about the Skillet Lickers at www.SkilletLickers.org. For a preview of our charity project, visit www.RandallFranks.com/A-Zippedy-Doodle-Day.
The 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards are fast approaching, and the organization recently unveiled nominees for its awards, Hall of Fame inductees, and Distinguished Achievement Award honorees.
Selected for induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame were two groups that shaped my formative years: Hot Rize, an innovative Colorado band featuring Pete Wernick (aka Dr. Banjo), Tim O’Brien, Charles Sawtelle, and Nick Forster, known for their 1978–1990 run; The Bluegrass Cardinals, formed by banjoist Don Parmley, his son David, and Randy Graham, who toured extensively from 1974 to 1997; and Arnold Shultz, an African American musician born in 1886 whose influence shaped bluegrass’s roots.
Entertainer of the Year nominees include my friends Alison Krauss & Union Station and The Del McCoury Band, alongside Appalachian Road Show, Billy Strings, and East Nash Grass. Vocal Group of the Year contenders are Alison Krauss & Union Station, Authentic Unlimited, Blue Highway, Sister Sadie, and The Del McCoury Band.
For years, I’ve been honored to direct segments of the IBMA Awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Award. This year, I’m thrilled to celebrate Penny Parsons, a 45-year bluegrass advocate; Missy Raines, the first woman to win IBMA Bass Player of the Year (10 times); “Cuzin’ Al” Knoth, a pioneering California radio host; Ron Thomason of Dry Branch Fire Squad; and Sidley Austin LLP, recognized for supporting bluegrass initiatives.
Among the nominees, I’m especially excited for The Auctioneer by The Kody Norris Show (Video of the Year), Blue Collar Gospel by Jerry Salley featuring The Oak Ridge Boys (Gospel Recording), vocalists Russell Moore and Jaelee Roberts, banjo player Gena Britt, fiddler Maddie Denton, and New Artist Wyatt Ellis. Other categories, like Song of the Year and Album of the Year, and all the various musicians of the year showcase bluegrass’s vibrant talent.
Join us for the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, presented by Get It Played, on September 18, 2025, at Chattanooga’s Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. The IBMA World of Bluegrass®, September 16–20, includes the Business Conference (Sept. 16–18), Bluegrass Ramble, and Bluegrass Live! (Sept. 19–20). Tickets are on sale at worldofbluegrass.org.
I can’t wait to celebrate bluegrass’s finest in Chattanooga—join me to honor the music America love!
For centuries, dedicated men and women have toiled to cultivate crops that sustain life, their labor enriched by nature’s gifts—fish from clear streams, game from dense forests, and wild greens, fruits, nuts, and berries. Fertile land, the backbone of survival, has always been a prize.
Before America’s founding, monarchs granted such land to loyal allies or passed it through noble families, with workers bound to the soil under new lords. Other systems existed, but control over prime land and water often defined power.
Today, that legacy lingers in the sprawling farms we pass on country roads. Driving through America’s heartland recently, I marveled at miles of farmland once alive with rows of corn, beans, tomatoes, okra, and squash, where cattle grazed and chickens scratched the earth. Now, many fields lie quiet, cut for hay or reduced to small gardens near farmhouses. Economic pressures—rising costs, market demands—have pushed families to grow just enough for themselves, no longer feeding neighbors or distant markets. Corporate farms churn out much of what stocks grocery shelves, their scale dwarfing the efforts of traditional farmers. Yet, resilient family farmers endure, raising cattle or crops with grit, their produce often fresher and more wholesome than heavily processed alternatives.
These farms pull me back to childhood summers, when fields burst with life. I can feel the heft of a tote sack as I tugged corn from the stalk, tassels dancing in the breeze, or sliced okra pods with my pocketknife, their prickly skins filling the bag.
Harvest days meant trudging through tomato rows, filling boxes with sun-warmed fruit. At noon, we’d gather under a sprawling oak, spreading tablecloths on the grass. A sharp knife sliced fresh tomatoes, tucked between white bread with salt, pepper, and JFG mayonnaise—a meal so simple, yet rich with the land’s goodness.
By then, our family’s farming was shifting from market crops to self-sufficiency, but I still recall the sweat-soaked days of working for market, each task lightened by shared laughter.
I don’t miss the backbreaking labor, the relentless sun, or the heat. What I crave is the closeness of toiling alongside loved ones, our bond with each other and the land making every effort worthwhile.
May your home—your own patch of earth—yield enough to sustain your family. If it doesn’t, plant a small garden, visit a farmers’ market, or learn where your food comes from. Rediscover the joy of nurturing the land and the community it feeds.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-07-16 06:00:122025-07-16 17:08:46Tilling the Past: Longing for the Land and Loved Ones
Doodle and the Golden River Grass Georgia Music Hall of Fame Exhibit in 2003. (Photo: Peach Picked Publishing)
A Zippedy Doodle Day: An Appalachian Musical Legacy
Welcome to A Zippedy Doodle Day: An Appalachian Musical Legacy, a historic string band album and documentary, led by Randall Franks, who honors Doodle Thrower and the Golden River Grass. Additionally, funds support scholarships via the Share America Foundation and Appalachian historical preservation. Therefore, join us in this effort!
About the Project
Project Overview
Bluegrass and Americana artist/producer Randall Franks is spearheading A Zippedy Doodle Day, a historic string band album and documentary to support Appalachian music scholarships through the Share America Foundation, Inc. and the West Georgia Museum in Tallapoosa, Georgia, the hometown of John “Doodle” Thrower.
Legacy Preservation
The project builds on unreleased tracks from the late 1980s by Doodle and the Golden River Grass, featuring traditional folk recordings. This album, paired with a re-release of the band’s entire catalog, aims to preserve and share their legacy while raising funds for aspiring musicians.
“When we lost Doodle Thrower, we lost one of the cornerstones of original country music. He and his band were truly what country music is all about.” — Marty Stuart, Country Music Hall of Famer
Doodle and the Golden River Grass in the 1970s
Doodle and the Golden River Grass
Formed in 1963 as a square dance band in Tallapoosa, Georgia, Doodle and the Golden River Grass became a beloved folk act, known for their comedy, Appalachian folk songs, and upbeat tunes. Recognized as the last of the old-time Georgia fiddle bands, they were a unique part of country music history.
The band featured John “Doodle” Thrower (1929-1994) on harmonica, alongside fiddlers Seals Hicks, Bill Kee, Paul Wallace, Randall Franks, and Jerry Wesley. From the 1970s, James Watson (1935-2017) added clawhammer banjo, with long-running members including C.J. Clackum (guitar), Wesley Clackum (guitar and mandolin), the late Lynn Elliott (guitar), the late Gene Daniell (bass/sound engineer), and Steve Hesterlee (three-finger banjo).
Doodle and the Golden River Grass perform in 1990.
Cultural historian Alan Lomax described Thrower as “a little bit different from anyone we’ve met. He’s of Cornish descent, and he’s not uptight at all,” and the band as “a sort of five-piece Dixieland string band certainly as virtuosic as any gypsy orchestra. And they are playing what I’ve called ‘mountain music in overdrive’.”
Appalachian scholar Loyal Jones acknowledged Thrower in his work Country Music Humorists and Comedians. American folklorist, educator and artist Art Rosenbaum featured him in his visual art and documented the group in several recorded mediums.
A Collaborative Effort
Randall Franks (right) joins The Skillet Lickers (Phil & Russ Tanner), center, and Paul Puckett in the studio.
Randall Franks is inviting specific artists from country, bluegrass, and Americana to donate their time to record on these historic tracks, collaborating with studios near the artists for convenience.
Contributors
Bruce Boxleitner adds his voice bringing a western flair to the project.
Western icon Bruce Boxleitner, a National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers inductee and two-time Wrangler Award winner, is saddling up for A Zippedy Doodle Day! Bruce captivated audiences as Luke Macahan in How the West Was Won alongside James Arness to his iconic turn as Alan Bradley/Tron in Disney’s groundbreaking Tron and Tron: Legacy, Bruce has been a household name for decades. He’s battled spies as Lee Stetson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King, commanded the stars as Captain John Sheridan in Babylon 5, and brought comic charm as Billy Montana in The Gambler with Kenny Rogers. Recently, he starred as Ben Watkins in the western Far Haven (2023), proving he’s still a trailblazer.
Banjo star Gena Britt adds her talents at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
8-time IBMA Award winner Gena Britt – powerhouse banjo player, vocalist, and founding member of GRAMMY-nominated Sister Sadie (Mountain Home Music Company) – has joined the star-studded lineup.
Fresh off the release of her acclaimed new solo album Streets, Rivers, Dreams & Heartaches (Mountain Home Music Company), her latest accolade includes sharing the 2025 IBMA Instrumental Recording of the Year for “Ralph’s Banjo Special” with Kristin Scott Benson & Alison Brown.
Youth Dante Flores adds three-finger banjo at the Tempermill in Michigan.
Marty Hays, a veteran vocalist and bassist who shined on Rounder and Rebel Records over three decades with David Davis and the Warrior River Boys brings his soulful sound to the project enriching this folk endeavor.
Marty Hays adds vocals at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville near Nashville.
Anthony Howell goes full speed with a bit of banjo at Noxubee Hills Music Group Recording Studio in Mississippi.
As the 2023 National Banjo Champion Anthony Howell and a four-time IBMA Momentum Award nominee for Instrumentalist of the Year, Anthony brings his unique stylings on banjo and come vocals to this Appalachian musical legacy project. He has performed with notable bands including Williamson Branch, the Edgar Loudermilk Band, and most recently joined Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Follow Anthony for more updates on his music journey at www.facebook.com/p/Anthony-Howell-Music-100048065487181/.
Dale Houston add his vocal stylings at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville
Trevor Holder adds his rolls at Witt Studio in Lafayette.
Banjo virtuoso Trevor Holder joins the stellar lineup. With Trevor’s Reno-style flair and bluegrass chops from The Price Sisters, Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass, and Five Mile Mountain Road, this album and documentary are set to preserve timeless folk tunes like never before. Bluegrass Unlimited heralded him in 2025 as a “Modern Banjo Master” underscoring his rising prominence in the genre.
Country singer Dale Houston heartfelt vocals and traditional country style add a touch of timeless Americana to this collection of folk classics. Fresh off his 2024 album “That’s The Way I Am,” featuring standout tracks and recent nominations for awards like the Josie Music Awards, Dale continues to honor the roots of country music. He has collaborated with country artists such as Lee Newton on “Burning Boats” and David Frizzell on “Lefty, Merle, and Me,” and grew up immersed in the music of legends like Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, George Jones, and Conway Twitty. Discover more about Dale at his website: www.dalehouston.com
Jim Lauderdale and Randall Franks work in the studio adding his unique vocals to the project.
Adding his amazing vocal talents, two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, host of the Americana Music Awards, has penned hits for icons like George Strait, Patty Loveless, and Vince Gill and was recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His illustrious career spans over 30 studio albums since 1986, blending country, bluegrass, Americana, soul, and R&B including his latest “Country Super Hits Vol. 2.” Visit his official website: https://www.jimlauderdalemusic.com/
Alex Miller records at Buck’s Place Recording near Nashville.
Traditional country singer Alex Miller, Billy Jam Records artist, who skyrocketed to fame on American Idol in 2021 at just 17, brings his soulful voice and masterful guitar pickin’ to the album. With hits like “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me,” “She Makes Dirt Look Good,” and his recent songs “Oh Odessa,” “Secondhand Smoke,” and “My Appalachian Home.” Alex has proven he’s a force in traditional country.
At Buck’s Place Recording, Robert Montgomery frails his way in A Zippedy Doodle Day.
The 2004 Old-Time Banjo National Champion Robert Montgomery is renowned for his excellent singing and banjo playing, performing with groups like David Davis & the Warrior River Boys and Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers. His latest release is Ol’ Times Not Forgotten. He joins other top artists to support Appalachian music scholarships and historical preservation. Follow Robert on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmontgomerymusic .
Kody Norris makes his vocal and musical additions at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
Fresh off dominating the awards circuit — including 2024 SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year, 7 total SPBGMA wins, 2025 IBMA Music Video of the Year for “The Auctioneer,” Kody’s personal Guitar Performer of the Year honors, and guest starring appearances on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage — Rebel Records artist Kody Norris of The Kody Norris Show brings his powerhouse vocals and blistering guitar picking to this collaboration is pure mountain magic in the making! His 2025 album Highfalutin Hillbilly and current single ‘Waitress, Waitress’ — continue to shine in traditional bluegrass!
Ronnie & Justin Reno record at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
Bluegrass legend Ronnie Reno, 2016 SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats, and his talented son Justin Reno add their authentic Appalachian vibes to our whimsical journey. The son of Don Reno, from Ronnie’s early days performing on The Old Dominion Barndance at age seven to collaborating with giants like Merle Haggard, The Osborne Brothers, and his hit TV show Reno’s Old Time Music (now streaming on Country Road TV), the 2013 IBMA Broadcaster of the Year’s legacy is woven into the heart of American roots music. Joining him is Justin Reno, a gifted guitarist who’s been stepping into the spotlight alongside his dad and with other Nashville bands.
Mike Scott adds his licks at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville near Nashville.
Legendary banjo stylist Mike Scott brings his unmistakable hard-driving three-finger style and vocals to the project, bringing a 50+ year career of entertaining in every state in the US except Hawaii and 54 countries, 450 Grand Ole Opry performances, and playing with Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Carl Story, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent and more.
Opry Star Ketch Secor records for A Zippedy Doodle Day with Morgan Jahnig at Hartland Studios, Nashville, TN.
Grammy-winning Grand Ole Opry star Ketch Secor from the Old Crow Medicine Show brought his flair to a special performance alongside the Skillet Lickers with Paul Puckett! Secor penned the iconic hit “Wagon Wheel” and in 2025, he released his solo album ‘Story the Crow Told Me.’ He is currently hosting the PBS series “Tennessee Crossroads.”
The project includes contributions from the Skillet Lickers (Phil and Russ Tanner) and Paul Puckett, blending the legacies of Georgia’s first and last fiddle bands. Learn more at https://SkilletLickers.org/
Ralph Stanley II adds his artistry for engineer Jim Price at Hat Creek Recording – Jonesborough, TN.
Grammy-winning Ralph Stanley II, an acclaimed Appalachian performer from Virginia also enriches the project with his artistry. Learn more at https://ralph2.com/
Larry Stephenson, a five-time SPBGMA Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, and acclaimed mandolin virtuoso adds his voice to the songbook. Learn more at https://larrystephensonband.com/LSB/
Bluegrass stalwart Larry Stephenson tunes up before adding his special touch at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
Derek Stone brings an enthusiastic traditional style at Witt Studio in Lafayette.
Youth banjo stylist Derek Stone, 15, adds his approach to the album bringing a Reno style approach to one of the tunes. Derek has racked up impressive wins, including First Place Beginning Banjo, Third Place Adult Banjo (twice), and Third Place in the Bluegrass Band Competition at the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree, plus First Place in the Kids’ Band Competition at the Mountain City Fiddler’s Convention. Currently in 10th grade at McCallie School, he’s the banjo player for Carl Towns & Upward Road.
With Conner Vlietstra‘s fiddle, guitar, and banjo expertise from The Price Sisters, Five Mile Mountain Road, and The Tennessee Hillbuddies,helps preserve timeless folk tunes like never before. The ETSU graduate is a 2021 Grand Master Fiddle Traditional Champion whohas built a reputation for his technical skill and deep roots in Appalachian traditions. Follow Conner on Instagram @connerbullwheatstraw
Conner Vlietstra creates hot licks for A Zippedy Doodle Day at Tim Witt’s Studio in LaFayette.
Other artists working on their additions include Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, celebrated as Entertainer of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year wins with The Kody Norris Show, Dale Ann Bradley, a six-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year and two-time Grammy nominee, and #1 Billboard teen mandolin phenom Wyatt Ellis.
A diverse array of talented artists is lined up, each bringing additional richness and depth to the A Zippedy Doodle Day project. Some among those planning to join the effort are Tim Atwood, Dom Flemons, Noah Goebel, Daniel Grindstaff, Trevor Holder, Lee Newton, Marty Raybon, Alan Sibley, Margie Singleton, Smith & Wesley, and Mark Wheeler.
The Songs
We will share details of these classic folk songs as each is completed. Stay tuned for updates on this growing American Songbook contribution!
The FIRST SINGLE RELEASE IS COMING APRIL 10 on AirPlay Direct for Radio and for consumers on Amazon and Itunes. Stay Tuned ….
Support the Project
Your support can bring A Zippedy Doodle Day to life, preserving Appalachian music and empowering musicians through scholarships. Donate to the Share America Foundation, Inc.
Use this QR Code to Donate!
We are working on a CD, DVD, and digital releases. Stay tuned for updates on t-shirts and other merchandise!
You may also send tax-deductible donations via mail to Share America Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
The Documentary
A Zippedy Doodle Day : An Appalachian Musical Legacy
Randall Franks, C.J. Clackum and Wesley Clackum film interviews.
Director Randall Franks began collecting interviews for “A Zippedy Doodle Day” documentary in 2017 when he recorded audio from banjo stylist James Watson. It was at this point the surviving band members developed the idea of an anthology of their music for charity. Shortly thereafter, he began video interviews to accompany this release. Among those collected so far are band members Wesley Clackum, C.J. Clackum, Steve Hesterlee and promoter Chuck Langley.
Others who worked with or saw the band are being sought. Some album participants are also contributing significant memories. The University of Georgia Special Collections Library is working with him to include Doodle and the Golden River Grass materials from the Georgia Folklore Collection archive collected by Art Rosenbaum and other historians. The National Council of Traditional Arts and The American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress assists with materials from their archives.
James Watson and Randall Franks in 2017 in Roanoke, Ala.
Randall Franks and 1970s GRG Member Steve Hesterlee
Armuchee Bluegrass Festival Founder Chuck Langley and Randall Franks
Supporting the Future of Music
Proceeds from A Zippedy Doodle Day will benefit the Share America Foundation, Inc., founded by Randall Franks in 2006, and the West Georgia Museum. These organizations preserve Appalachian legacy and support young musicians through scholarships.
Join us in celebrating this rich musical heritage and introducing a new generation to Doodle and the Golden River Grass!
Tim Witt Studio, LaFayette, Georgia; Buck Jarrell, Buck’s Place Recording – Hendersonville, Tenn.; Engineer Jim Price, Hat Creek Recording – Jonesborough, TN; Morgan Jahnig at Hartland Studios, Nashville, TN; Engineer Erik Maluchnik at Michigan’s The Tempermill;
When available to radio in 2026 you will find us on
More Doodling
Tallapoosa dedicates its Amphitheater honoring Doodle with his widow Ezell and members of the Golden River Grass present in 1999.
The open road has always stirred my soul. As a boy, nothing matched the thrill of our family’s two-week summer vacations. We’d pile into our mint-green Chevrolet F150 pickup, its matching camper gleaming under the sun, and set off into the unknown. Whether it was camping in the Smoky Mountains, marveling at Niagara Falls, or lounging on Florida’s white-sand beaches, these trips were a celebration of freedom, family, and adventure—think the Clampetts from The Beverly Hillbillies, but with less banjo and more kinfolk chaos. One unforgettable Florida trip turned into a family reunion by pure chance. Uncles, aunts, and cousins, scattered from Ohio to Georgia, caravanned down the coast, chasing rumors of where the others had been. Without cell phones, we relied on late-night calls from hotel payphones to piece together who was ahead or behind. “Your cousin just left St. Augustine,” someone would say, and off we’d go. By some miracle, where half the clan ended up at Disney World together, the more converged at Daytona Beach, laughing over our accidental rendezvous. Those Florida days were scorching, and I’ll never forget my uncle’s pride in his new sedan. Back then, air conditioning was a luxury, but he wanted beachgoers to think we were riding in cool comfort. So, he kept the windows rolled up tight, turning the car into a sauna. We sweated buckets, the vinyl seats sticking to our legs, until my cousin’s complaints earned a stern, “Don’t make me come back there!” Only when we left the beach could we finally breathe, windows down, the salty air rushing in. Cars were more than transportation in our family—they were a way of life. My uncles, car enthusiasts with a love for souped-up engines, saw the open road as an expression of freedom. One night, driving from Ohio to Tennessee, my mom and Uncle Waymond turned the trip into a race. I was in Mom’s car, watching headlights and taillights blur past like fireflies. The speedometer climbed, and my heart raced as we flew through Kentucky, miraculously dodging every state trooper. Who won? Mom, of course, with a grin that said she’d earned bragging rights for years. As I grew older, I found my own adventures. Driving a white Ford Fairmont station wagon—bought cheap at a government auction—I tested its limits across the deserts of the Southwest. The engine hummed, the horizon stretched endlessly, and the thrill of speeding toward the next oasis of civilization felt exhilarating. Those moments captured the same wanderlust that pushed my ancestors to cross oceans, trek into the wilderness, or ride west in search of new frontiers. That pull to explore runs deep. I imagine my forebears boarding sailing ships for a new land or walking from North Carolina to fight in revolutionary battles. Had I lived in their time, I’d like to think I’d have joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition or ridden alongside my grandfather to chase the last gasps of the Western frontier. It’s not about fighting or conquest—it’s about what lies around the next bend, over the next hill. Today, the open road still calls. Whether it’s a mountain pass or a quiet country lane, the urge to discover what’s next swells within me. It’s a shared human impulse, generation after generation, to seek new horizons. Some chase greener pastures, others crave the next great adventure. What’s your open road? Is it a physical journey, a new career, or an uncharted dream? Whatever it is, find it—and blaze your trail
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-07-09 06:00:142025-07-01 20:55:10Chasing the Horizon: A Family’s Love for the Open Road
everyone could hum or sing. These shared anthems united us. But in a short time, new genres emerged, and the way music was delivered fractured. Internet platforms, with their endless choices, segmented audiences by generation, culture, and region. The once-unified musical fabric began to unravel, and the American songbook stopped growing with songs everyone knew. What caused this shift? We may never know, but the days when half the country shared the same musical moments are fading. 
Doodle and the Golden River Grass Georgia Music Hall of Fame Exhibit in 2003. (Photo: Peach Picked Publishing)
