The Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle: Randall Franks

A Mainstay in the American Fiddle Experience

Randall Franks, the Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle, brings unmatched expertise, tradition, and star power to fiddle contests nationwide. With a 48-year career rooted in Georgia’s rich fiddling heritage, Randall honed his craft under masters like Dallas Burrell, Cotton Carrier, Anita Sorrells Mathis, and Gordon Tanner during his youth. As a teenager, he led The Peachtree Pickers, finding mentorship under Bill Monroe and stepping into the Blue Grass Boys in 1984 as a successor to Kenny Baker. He later joined Jim & Jesse’s Virginia Boys, solidifying his status among bluegrass royalty.
Influenced by fiddle giants—Kenny Baker, Chubby Wise (with whom he toured), Buddy Spicher, Jim Buchanan, Vassar Clements, Red Taylor, Benny Martin, Curly Ray and Charlie Cline, Bobby Hicks, Mac Magaha, Tommy Jackson, and Paul Warren—Randall’s playing has enriched the legacies of over 40 Hall of Famers across country, bluegrass, gospel, and rock genres. His fiddling mastery earned him the 2024 Josie Music Awards Musician of the Year – Fiddle at the Grand Ole Opry House, a testament to his enduring talent. It was in 1992, that he was honored with the prestigious Fiddlin’ John Carson Award. During his association with the Grand Ole Opry guest star, he was made a regular feature entertainer at the Grand Ole Opry’s Grand Master Fiddler Championship in the 1990s, a contest he competed in a decade earlier.

As a young musician, Randall competed in fiddle, mandolin, and bluegrass band contests such as Hiawassee, Yellow Daisy, Menlo, Prater’s Mill, Dalton, Lake Lanier, Chattahoochee, Athens, and Dogwood across Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, consistently ranking among the top performers. He claimed titles such as the 1982 WKHX Fiddling Champ, the 1983 Cumberland County (Tenn.) Fiddle Champion, and the 1985 Georgia State Bluegrass Band Champion at Stone Mountain, while narrowly missing the Georgia Mandolin title by a fraction of a point, securing second place on Mountain Music Showdown airing on national PBS at the Yellow Daisy Festival.  The National Folk Festival tapped Randall Franks to teach their fiddle styles workshop in 1985 representing Southern Appalachia fiddle styles while he was there performing with the legendary fiddle band – Doodle and the Golden River Grass. Rising to music and TV stardom, in the 1990s, he became the second-most visible fiddler of his generation, alongside Alison Krauss, showcasing his musical talents to over 150 million viewers worldwide as “Officer Randy Goode” on In the Heat of the Night (1988–1993).

His numerous album releases including over 300 recordings feature his fiddle prowess but those dedicated to fiddling exclusively are Peach Picked Fiddle Favorites (1985), Pick of the Peaches Fiddlin’ (1986), Golden River Fiddlin’ (1990), included in the Top 40 Best Traditional Folk Recordings of 1990 and Sacred Sounds of Appalachia (1992), included among the Top 25 Best Bluegrass Albums of the Year. His Top 10 Americana Album The American’s Creed (2024)  includes his fiddle compositions from his film by the same title.
For his musical legacy, he has been honored as an inductee in the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame (2004), the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame (2013), America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame (2019), and the Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2021). He was also recognized as a Bluegrass Legend by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame (2010 & 2011) and featured as a Georgia Music Hall of Fame Exhibit Honoree from 1996 to 2011.
Randall’s passion for fiddling extends beyond performance to preservation. Since 2007, he has served as the Celebrity Host of the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville, playing a vital role in the nation’s premier contest. He hosted the Randall Franks Southeastern Fiddle Invitational at Lake Lanier Islands, Georgia, in 1994 and 1995, awarding the inaugural Randall Franks Trophy. From 2006 to 2018, he revived the trophy at Ringgold, Georgia’s 1890s Day Old Time Fiddle Convention, nurturing new talent.

Why Book Randall?

With over 1 million live audience members, a legacy tied to fiddle legends, and a proven track record of championing contests, Randall Franks is the ideal host or performer for your event. He’s even served as a judge for special contests. His authenticity—rooted in his great-grandfather, fiddler A.J. Harve Franks—combined with his charisma and expertise, ensures a fiddle contest that honors tradition, inspires players, and captivates audiences. Contact the Entertainment Management Consultants office to bring this living legend to your stage.