Appalachian entertainer Randall Franks brought attendees to their feet with his performance of "The Old Black Fiddle" at the 31st Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show on Sept. 19, 2009 as he honored inductee John L "Johnny" Carson (1933-2010), This performance is shared in honor of Carson, who passed away July 28, 2010.
The 2009 ASE Song of the Year was written by Franks and is a prequel to Charlie Daniels's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." It tells the story of the fiddle that Johnny played in his contest with the Devil.
Airing live on Georgia Public Broadcasting statewide, The Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc. hosted the event at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Franks, an award-winning fiddler and singer, said he was honored to represent the Appalachian and Bluegrass music styles on the show.
"This program was such a wonderful combination of musical genres sharing the rich musical fabric that puts Georgia in everyone's mind," Franks said. "All of the artists were so supportive of what we were doing, when the audience came to their feet including so many of the inductees, it reinforced for me how God places you in opportunities to share the talents He gave you for His glory."
Among the audience was other feature performers including Collective Soul, Third Day, Bryan-Michael Cox, Chuck Leavell, Monica Pearson with Cheryl Rogers and 2007 Scholarship Winner Reginald Smith.
Franks appeared with the support of the Georgia Mafia Bluegrass Band, a group of professionals hand-picked by Carson, featuring Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame members Jerry and Helen Burke, J. Max McKee, Rick Smith, and Dean Marsh. Randall Franks and the band received the ASE 2009 Bluegrass Band of the Year award.
He and the group performed to honor the induction of Georgia music industry pioneer John L. "Johnny" Carson (1933-2010) , who also brought the audience to an ovation with his moving acceptance speech.
Carson combined his musical pedigree, talent and love of people to pioneer a career in Georgia's music industry. Carson is the grandson of the late Fiddlin' John Carson and the nephew of the late RCA recording artist, "Moonshine Kate" Carson.
The Cabbagetown, Ga. native began his journey through the music industry by booking bands at the age of 15. Throughout his wide-ranging career, he managed, promoted, produced, showcased and paid tribute to hundreds of country, bluegrass, gospel and western musicians.
In addition to his publishing and production companies, he continues to serve as Atlanta Society of Entertainers president, Friends of Georgia Music Festival board member and Georgia Music Hall Of Fame supporter.
He and Phyllis Cole co-founded the Atlanta Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1982 and he was inducted in 1996. Carson was one of the first inductees in the Carolinas Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Hall of Fame in 2007 and he received their Legends Award in 2009.
A philanthropist at heart, Carson formed the Atlanta Country Music Academy in 1986 to provide free music classes for aspiring singers. Carson also began awarding fiddles to deserving students at his annual tribute event for the Fiddlin' John Carson Birthday Celebration in 1970 sponsored by Fiddlin' John Carson Productions.
Also in the audience that evening was Franks's former film co-star Stella Parton with whom he appeared in "Phoenix Falling." He is also known for his role "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night" and for his work in films such as "The Flamingo Rising" with William Hurt and with and "Blue Valley Songbird" with Dolly Parton. http://randallfranks.com/
"The Old Black Fiddle" (Randall Franks/Peach Picked Pub./BMI)
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The Last Suit You Wearby sloopjohnb32421,889 views
Awesome tribute. Thanks.
edtrain5 1 year ago
This was the most amazing song and night! My husband and I were there with a good friend and we were thrilled with Randall Franks "prequel" to Devil Went Down. So powerful and such great story-telling! Thank you for sharing this video.
corwinjefferson 1 year ago