Just some good ol’ boys
When I think back to Friday night in my youth, much of those were spent sitting in front of the TV watching “The Dukes of Hazzard.” It allowed me to see what was then, other than “The Waltons,” a current show with a Southern or rural feel to it.
The adventures of Bo and Luke with Daisy, Uncle Jesse and Cooter along for the ride always trying to outwit Boss Hogg, Roscoe, with Enos doing his best for both sides, intrigued me. Those kept me enjoying some of the finest in Americana in stories, music and just clean fun.
I was catapulted back to those memories this past week when I joined my friends Smith & Wesley, Cody McCarver, and John Schneider in concert for the Smith Charitable Endowment (Find them on Facebook).
The moment really became real when we all walked out on stage to join John in singing and playing the theme song “Good Ol’ Boys,” and I thank John, Cody, and Scott and Todd from Smith & Wesley for the opportunity.
I have been blessed in my life as an actor to work or appear with most of the cast from the show including James Best, Sonny Shroyer, Tom Wopat, Ben Jones and even John in the film “Lukewarm.”
However, this was the first time that I appeared with him in concert and thanks to my friends Smith & Wesley, I was able to bring along a few of our “Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia” from my #1 Americana CD.
As a youth, I was blessed with a number of great entertainers who invested by allowing me to perform on shows in front of crowds of people who came to see them. I featured dozens of these in my book series “Encouragers.”
Now that I stand in their shoes, it is a privilege to encourage our upcoming generation of musicians and singers as they begin sharing their talents – this show including Ryan Stinson, Colton Brown, Trevor Holder and Wally O’Donald. While many of the heroes who ushered me into stardom are now are playing to heavenly audiences, it is especially gratifying to connect these young people with new heroes. Like me, I am sure they will likely embrace them in their lives and look back fondly on the chances given them in their beginnings.
If you are not familiar with these acts mentioned above, I encourage you to visit their websites and learn more about the great country and gospel music they share: www.SmithandWesley.com, www.JohnSchneiderStudios.com , and www.CodyMcCarver.com . Stop by mine too, at www.RandallFranks.com .
If you would like to encourage the youth musicians who joined us visit www.ShareAmericaFoundation.org to donate for a CD or visit Google, iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and enter Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia to download all the songs and support Appalachia music scholarships. Radio friends can find it here: AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFrank
