Now I Know – Randall Franks
Hot on the heels of a ASE Songwriter of the Year Award, Appalachian gospel artist Randall Franks releases a new single Now I Know from Crimson Records that pulls both from his Southern gospel heritage and his early bluegrass influences.
This fresh traditional bluegrass recording of Now I Know featuring a guest performance by Alabama banjo stylist Gary Waldrep reflects a new arrangement of Franks’ first successful Southern gospel songwriting success.
This has always been one of my favorite songs from my writing catalog. In this version I pay homage to the influence Ralph Stanley and his brother Carter had on my early listening. In years past, I enjoyed the honor of playing on stage with Mr. Stanley while we both performed for the Grand Ole Opry and also the greater privilege to once produce him on a song in the studio.While my baritone vocals do not cut like Stanley’s lonesome timbre, it is nice to be able to share a bit of that musical sound that excited me as a youth on one of my songs thanks to the great banjo performance by Gary Waldrep and the contributions of all the talented musicians and singers. I hope folks will request it from their local radio stations – Randall Franks
Franks’ song was initially recorded by the Marksmen Quartet for Morning Star Records featuring Earle Wheeler in the 1980s and though it was never singled it became a popular turntable hit from the Cookin’ Now album and Franks’ first successful songwriting effort recorded by an another artist. He has went on to create songs and arrangements recorded by many of the legends of bluegrass, country and gospel music. In addition to being a successful solo performer, Franks is a former member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse Show and others.
The Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame member won a top twenty Christian music seller with his Handshakes and Smiles CD and was recently featured on the PBS Georgy Awards performing his song The Old Black Fiddle. He is best known for his role as Officer Randy Goode, on TV’s In the Heat of the Night, and is currently appearing as part of the cast of Robert Townsend’s musical Theater of Hope which recently aired as a special on the Gospel Music Channel.
For more information or to hear the single visit www.myspace.com/randallfranksmusic.
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