International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend and America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Famer Randall Franks , hosts a documentary “Road to Nashville” taped live in Nashville in 2015. Franks returned to his Grand Ole Opry roots on its radio home of Nashville’s WSM to share an appearance on The Allnighter with Marcia Campbell. / marciacampbellradio . Franks brought several Share America Scholars to Nashville to tour TV and music businesses and organizations, meet with executives, music legends and learn more about the industry they wish to share their talents within. Among those seen in this video are Grand Ole Opry star Jesse McReynolds (www.jimandjesse.com) and the late Country Music Hall of Famer Mac Wiseman. This performance including Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band of Chattanooga, Tenn. – Cody Harvey, Chris Brown, Eli Beard and Tyler Martelli features several songs including a 2006 bluegrass hit written by Franks and popularized by David Davis and the Warrior River Boys. Mountain Cove has fostered four Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholars, named for Franks’s late parents, receiving support from the Share America Foundation, Inc. while pursuing their college degrees.(www.mtncovebluegrass.com)
The show also features Share America Scholar Pianist Ryan Stinson of Ringgold, Ga. is a Share America Scholar and he graduated from Luther Rice University with a degree in Religion/Ministry and he lives in Ringgold. He has played piano since the age of 10 and began singing about three years ago. His talents have allowed him to perform on WSM and theaters around the south including special appearances at the Texas Troubadour Theater in Nashville, the Tribute Theater, Country Tonite Theater, and Smoky Mountain Opry Theater in Pigeon Forge, Graceland in Memphis, festivals, concerts and churches. Road to Nashville was directed by Randall Franks with the talents of camera operators Tommy Barnes and Share America scholar Ryan Stinson.
It originally aired at a ticketed event at the Ringgo Theater at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga. November 13, 2015 and was submitted to film festivals.
Share America Foundation, Inc., a 501-C-3 of Georgia, fosters the arts and preserves the history of Appalachia through the presentation of the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship to youth who continue traditional music styles of the region. It also hosts special events and creates projects that perpetuate the Appalachian experience. It operates with a five-member volunteer board, currently including Chairman Gary Knowles, Vice Chairman Jimmy Terrell, Secretary James Pelt, President Randall Franks, and Vice President Jerry Robinson, and a task force of volunteers. The organization has assisted 30 college scholars thus far and numerous other youth in aspiring towards their musical goals through entertainer mentors, live performances, and creating opportunities for learning and success. Among the partners of the Share America Foundation are AirPlay Direct, Hillbilly Love, Round Up Grant from the North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Ringgold, and the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment and numerous individual donors. “Black Eyed Suzy” & “Filling the River with Tears” (Randall Franks/Peach Picked Pub./BMI) Based on a poem by Evelyn Rose Brock.
To Support Programs Like This Please Donate to the
Share America Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755
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 Franks2024-02-02 23:33:102024-02-03 21:28:35The Road to Nashville
Top of Georgia Economic Development Initiative, Smith & Wesley, Mountain View Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, William Marsh Chapter – National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, The Bank of LaFayette, William H.H. Clark, Marshall M. Bandy Jr. Law Office, Rhonda James, Boynton Lions Club of Ringgold, Georgia, Gateway Business Center, Stateline Electronics, and AirPlay Direct.
Our films were entered in over 70 film festivals worldwide. “The American’s Creed” was a finalist and screened at the Tatras International Film Festival in Slovakia and the JEFF (Jinju English Film Festival) in South Korea, Castle Rock Film Festival in Colorado, and the Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival in Oklahoma, among others. It was premiered in Ringgold at the Colonnade. It debuted publically online April 1 on Randall Franks TV.
The Making of The American’s Creed won the Bronze Award at the Spotlight Short Film Awards in January 2024 and screened at Castle Rock Film Festival in Colorado receiving and Honorable Mention and at the Kalakari Film Festival in India, and screened at the Hollywood Best Indie Film Festival, among others.
These two projects will release publicly for broadcast on Randall Franks TV on Rumble, YouTube, X and Brighteon with “The American’s Creed” on April 1 and “The Making of ‘The American’s Creed'” on April 19, 2025 in conjunction with Lexington and Concord day marking the beginning of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.
Links to see the films:
The Making of ‘The American’s Creed’ April 19 at 8 p.m. EDT
Actors Randall Franks and Butch Culpepper on location in Chickamauga, Ga.
Director Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” of TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” wrote a screenplay reflecting his desire to encourage people upon the inspired patriotic words penned by his kinsmen William Tyler Page in 1917 that were adopted by the United States officially as “The American’s Creed” standing alongside the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Cinematographer Eric T. Jackson is joining Franks to help him bring the unique historical drama set during the American Revolution to life.
Cinematographer Eric T. Jackson, Actor Evan A. Jackson and Director Randall Franks
In the storyline, American colonist Robert B. Shields of Virginia, played by Franks, heeds a request from his cousin George Washington to muster men from the western frontier to join him in the revolution in the 1770s. Shields sees the effort as an opportunity to inspire the seeds of liberty and freedom in these men and the generations to follow.
Slated as a short film with an accompanying documentary “The Making of ‘The American’s Creed’,” the project is filming in Chickamauga, Ga. at the historic Gordon Lee Mansion and surrounding city locations. Franks and internationally known finger-style guitarist Wesley Crider, who made a special appearance in the film, composed and performed the soundtrack on fiddle, guitar, and Appalachian dulcimer at Tim Witt Studios near LaFayette, Ga.
Director Randall Franks guides actors Ronald Melton, Robert Jones and Wesley Crider.
The American’s Creed features Franks, Tina Brewer, Crider, Evan A. Jackson, Butch Culpepper, Ronald K. Melton. Jr., Robert E. Jones, Maggie Suits, Donald Benkis, Elaine Benkis, Dennis L. Jones, Ashley Robillard, John Francis, Cassandra Group, Gabriel Group, and Colton Buckles.
Actor/wrangler Butch Culpepper added both his talents and those of his film horses Charlie and Dollar to the film.
Period costumer Tina Brewer also shared her supervising talents for the project while also making costumes for “Capt. Shields” and ‘Sister Sophie.” She was supported by Ronald K. Melton, Jr. and Robert E. Jones who assisted on set with costumes and some props for the re-enactors. Also, thanks to Kathy Graham of It’s Sew Time, formerly in Ringgold, who made and donated the hair ribbon for “Capt. Shields.”
The Peach Picked Productions film is expected for release to film festivals in 2022. Producers wish to express special thanks to the City of Chickamauga mayor, council, staff and the residents for their support during the production of this film.
Trivia: Actor/director Randall Franks, who portrays a cousin of George Washington in the film, is actually a close cousin of founding fathers George Washington, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson; and also a kinsmen to John Adams and James Monroe – founders who all served as president of the United States. Fifty-six men signed the document declaring Independence from Great Britain and the rule of King George III. Of those 56 men, 48 were Randall’s family members, so, I guess you could say his family all got together to create its own country on July 4, 1776. Randall is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Sister Sophie (Tina Brewer) keeps young Jamie Shields (Maggie Suits) entertained.
American Actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” recently joined Internationally known finger-style guitarist Wesley Crider, both of Ringgold, Ga., for a recording session. The duo was creating original music for the new short film “The American’s Creed” at Tim Witt Studios near LaFayette, Ga.
William Tyler Page, author of “The American’s Creed” Credit Line: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-123456]
Now also available “The American’s Creed” album which was #7 on the AirPlay DirectGlobal Americana Albums chart after rising to #3, and #40 on TOP 50 Global Albums chart after rising to #2 in April 2024. All the tunes and songs on the project charted in the top 40 with all related to the films landing in the top 20. All four recordings from the films composed and performed by Randall Franks and finger style guitarist Wesley Crider showed well in the AirPlay Direct Americana Singles chart placing in the top 20, with the “The American’s Creed (Recitation)” reaching #5 and “The American’s Creed Movement 2” rising to #6.
Join us as we create the opportunity of bringing this project to film festivals and ultimately to viewers via the internet. Sponsors who will support our efforts are still welcome. Contact us for more info on how you may help. Send a check to Randall Franks, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
Randall Franks Mountain Opry Memories from Share America Foundation/Crimson Records
Musicians included on various performances: Randall Franks – Fiddle & Guitar Terry Hatfield – Guitar, Brian Blaylock – Mandolin, Stacy Wilcox – Banjo, Randy Pryor – Bass, Tom Adkins – Fiddle, Ken Holloway – Guitar, John De Grote – Bass, David Davis – Mandolin, Charlie “Peanut” Faircloth – Harmonica, Charles Chambers – Guitar, Joe Chambers – Guitar, Rocky Ramsey – Guitar, Gary Denham – Bass, Jimmy Givens – Banjo, Merielle Flood – Bass, Cody Harvey – Banjo, Mike Holloway – Bass, Wil Markham – Fiddle, Colin Mabry – Guitar, Tyler Martelli – Harmonica & Mandolin, Austin Adkins – Guitar
Fire on the Mountain – 1999 *, Send Me the Pillow – 1999, A Tunnel Runs Through It – 2001, Crawdad Song – 2003 *, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – 2001 ** with David Davis, Boil Dem Cabbage Down – 2001 *, Sparta Impound Blues – 1999, The Old Black Fiddle – 2001 *, Sweet Woman Blues – 1999, Faded Love – 2001, Red River Valley – 2003 *, The Kind of Love I Can’t Forget – 2001 with Peanut Faircloth, Turkey in the Straw – 2001 *, Foggy Mountain Breakdown – 2010 with Mountain Cove Bluegrass, Ya’ll Come – 1999, Orange Blossom Special – 1999
Randall Franks shares impromptu music recorded live at the Mountain Opry on Signal Mountain in Tennessee near Chattanooga in this recording produced by Tom Adkins and Tom Morgan to raise funds for the Share America Foundation, Inc. Available for a $15 donation.
Randall Franks – An Appalachian Musical Revival – Live at the Ringgold Depot
$18 Donation
An Appalachian Musical Revival Live at the Ringgold Depot
Share America SAF101 (2008)
Randall Franks
With Four Fold, Buddy Liles, The Marksmen Quartet, Barney Miller, The Smoky Mountain Boys, The Southern Sound Quartet, The Testimony Quartet, Voices Won, Walnut Grove Bluegrass Band, The Watkins Family, Garrett Arb, Brady Hughes, John Rice, Deborah Taylor, Calvary Strings, Mt. Peria Baptist Church Male Chorus, Ringgold United Methodist Church Chancel Choir
Must Be A Reason – Randall Franks with The Watkins Family
Everywhere I Go – The Testimony Quartet
Old Country Church – Walnut Grove Bluegrass Band
Going Home – Four Fold
Uncloudy Day – Garrett Arb and Randall Franks
When God Dips His Pen of Love in My Heart – Ringgold United Methodist Church Chancel Choir
Walkin’ Along the Old Church Road – Garrett Arb
You’re Never Alone – Buddy Liles
An Appalachian Musical Revival Live at the Ringgold Depot con’t.
Way Down Deep in My Soul – The Marksmen Quartet
Wagon Tracks – The Marksmen Quartet
Jesus Loves Me – Brady Hughes
Have You Heard the News – Mt. Peria Baptist Church Male Chorus featuring Mose Lumpkin
New Manna – Calvary Strings
Ten Thousand Years – Barney Miller
The Glory Train – John Rice and Randall Franks
This Is the Day the Lord Has Made – The Southern Sound Quartet
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing – Deborah Taylor
Back Then – The Smoky Mountain Boys
Roll Back the Stone – The Watkins Family
In the Garden – Randall Franks and Voices Won
Share America Foundation in association with Crimson Records presents Randall Franks and list of music stars at the 2008 for An Appalachian Musical Revival Live at the Ringgold Depot to raise funds for the Share America Foundation, Inc. Donation of $18
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Available in Crimson Records CD Randall Franks and the Golden River Grass John “Doodle” Thrower, James Watson, Wesley Clackum, Gene Daniell, and guest Sue Koskela Crimson RG 2760 (1989)
featuring Ragtime Annie, Maiden’s Prayer, Back Up and Push, Precious Memories,
The Pilgrimage (to Bethlehem) (Randall Franks), Durham’s Bull, Old Rosin the Bow
Faded Love, Mississippi Sawyer, Orange Blossom Special
Randall Franks shares a collection of Southern folk fiddle favorites performed with the Golden River Grass.
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Peach Picked Fiddle FavoritesAvailable in Crimson Records CD Randall Franks The Peachtree Pickers and Guests Other performers: Greg Earnest, Lyndon Kolb, Mark Nelson and guests Eugene Akers and John Farley Crimson leased initially to Atteiram API C-1646 (1985)
featuring Fire On the Mountain, Festival Waltz, Bonaparte’s Retreat, Arab Bounce, Liberty, Craven’s Reel (Randall Franks), Champagne Polka, Kiss Me Waltz, Cherokee Shuffle, More Pretty Girls Than One, Wheel Hoss,
Hamilton County Breakdown, Old Joe Clark
Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle Randall Franks performs several popular fiddle tunes with his Peachtree Pickers.
Randall Franks The Peachtree Pickers and Friends Crimson Records leased initially to Atteiram API-C-1634 (1986)
Other performers: Greg Earnest, Keith Morris, Mark Nelson and guests Eugene Akers, James Watson and Mark Wheeler featuring Gloryland March, Rose of Sharon, Katy Hill, Jerusalem Ridge,
Bully of the Town, Florida Blues, Shortenin’ Bread, What a Friend, Boil Dem Cabbage Down, Angie’s Waltz (Randall Franks), Stone Mountain March, Black Eyed Suzy
Blue Grass Boy Randall Franks shares fiddle tunes taught to him by Bill Monroe and other fiddle favorites in this unique musical collection.
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Available in Crimson Records CD Randall “Randy” Franks Other performers: The Peachtree Pickers: Mark Wheeler, Lewis Phillips, Steve “Rabbit” Easter, Travis Lewis, Bill Everett, Eugene Akers, Earle Wheeler
Crimson Records CRZ111 (1998) Originally leased Zion Records (Sonlite) (1992) featuring Uncloudy Day, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Sweet Hour of Prayer, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Old Time Religion, Amazing Grace, Kneel At the Cross, Just A Rose Will Do, This World Is Not My Home
Popular around the world, this instrumental recording of hymns became one of Randall Franks’s most featured albums on radio as he shared his artistry on fiddle, guitar, mandolin and mountain dulcimer alongside some of America’s greatest acoustic musicians.
Randall “Randy” Franks Other performers: Mark Wheeler, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Lewis Phillips, Travis Lewis, Jesse McReynolds, Eugene Akers, Steve Easter, Darrin Chambers, Carol Lee Cooper, and Dennis McCall Crimson Records CR2679 (1990)
I’ll Meet You in Church Sunday Morning, Meeting in the Air, Until Jesus (Randall Franks), Rock of Ages, Handshakes and Smiles, You Better Get Ready (Randall Franks and Mark Wheeler), Pass Me Not, Everlasting Joy, This Little Light of Mine, He’s Never Gonna Fool Me Again (Randall Franks)
Handshakes and Smiles was a top 20 Christian music seller for Randall Franks making him the first bluegrass artist to ever reach the top of the Christian music sales charts. It features several of Randall Franks most popular radio and TV musical releases to country and gospel music including its title song – “Handshakes and Smiles,” “You Better Get Ready,” “He’s Never Gonna Fool Me Again,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Pass Me Not.”
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Available in Crimson Records CD Randall Franks & David Davis Cotton & Jane Carrier, Sonny Shroyer, “Doc” Tommy Scott, Marty Hays
Crimson 1527 (2000)
featuring
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Must Be A Reason (Randall Franks and James Carson), Where Do I Go From Here? (Randall Franks), This Little Light of Mine, The Old Black Fiddle (Randall Franks), Children In Need with Sonny Shroyer (Randall Franks and Tommy Scott), I’m One of God’s Children (Randall Franks and Cotton Carrier), Leaning On the Everlasting Arms, Life’s Railway to Heaven with Cotton and Jane Carrier, I’ll Shout and Shine, Is There More to Life Than This? (Randall Franks), Say A Little Prayer with “Doc” Tommy Scott
Beckoning to the sounds of O’ Brother Where Art Thou, Randall brought together a collection of Appalachian brother duets with bluegrass star David Davis and some special songs with country music and TV notables including “The Dukes of Hazzard” star Sonny Shroyer.
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Thank you to all of our great sponsors: 
Randall Franks – Mountain Opry Memories
Randall Franks – An Appalachian Musical Revival – Live at the Ringgold Depot
Randall Franks – Golden River Fiddlin’
Randall Franks – Peach Picked Fiddle Favorites
Randall Franks – Pick of the Peaches Fiddlin’
Randall Franks – Sacred Sounds of Appalachia
Randall Franks – Handshakes and Smiles
Randall Franks and David Davis – God’s Children
