Paul Franklin (musician)
Paul Franklin | |
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Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
Genres | Country, rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 1970s–present |
Member of | The Time Jumpers |
Paul V. Franklin (born May 31, 1954
In addition to the pedal steel guitar and lap steel guitar, Franklin plays Dobro, fiddle, and drums,[2] as well as three custom-built instruments called the Pedabro, The Box, and the baritone steel guitar. Since 2016 Franklin has been offering online steel guitar lessons.[6][7]
Musical innovations
He is noted for bringing multiple musical innovations to the country music scene.[3] One of these, the Pedabro, is a type of Dobro fitted with pedals and played like a pedal steel guitar. This was invented by Franklin's father. The first of many hit records featuring the Pedabro was "Forever and Ever, Amen" by Randy Travis.[8]
Franklin has also created two new variations of steel guitars, the first of which is a type of lap steel guitar nicknamed "The Box", whose sound has been described as a "swampy acoustic guitar".[3] The other type of guitar that he invented is the baritone steel guitar, the strings of which are tuned an octave lower than a traditional pedal steel guitar.[3]
Collaborations
He played steel guitar on the 1972 top-five hit "Nice to Be with You" by Gallery.
Franklin has worked with many well known acts during his career, including
Franklin is a member of The Time Jumpers, a country and western swing band. In July 2013, he and Vince Gill released a collaborative album called Bakersfield.[9]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
US Country | US | ||
Bakersfield (with Vince Gill) |
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4 | 25 |
Sweet Memories (with Vince Gill) |
|
- | - |
References
- ^ U.S. Public Records Index Vol 1 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.
- ^ Allmusic. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
- ^ About.com. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
- ^ Scott, DeWitt. "The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame/". scottysmusic.com. The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ "Paul Franklin's Been Nominated for CMAs 30 Times. He's Never Won". September 29, 2022.
- ^ "June 2018 – Truetone". Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ "Texas Steel Guitar Association". texassteelguitar.org. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Paul Franklin biography". Paul Franklin.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
- ^ "Vince Gill Reveals Cover Art, Track Listing + Release Date for New Album With Paul Franklin". Theboot.com. June 5, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
External links
- Paul Franklin Method
- AllMusic Discography
- Paul Franklin Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2019)