Appalachian American actor Randall Franks rides upon a horse strongly maneuvering the spirited steed around trees into the camera’s view for his latest film set during the American Revolution.
Franks sits watching the end result of that work upon a large screen in his home in the Appalachian mountains of Georgia.
The multiple music hall of fame inductee, who is best known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night," has carved out a unique niche for himself in the world of film and music.
“I love playing characters that lived in a different place and time,” he said. “As I grew up with my feet planted on the farms settled by men who fought for our Independence. I heard their stories shared by the fireside. I walked the fields they turned from wilderness into farms.”
Randall Franks as “Dr. J.A. Anderson” in the award-winning film “The Cricket’s Dance.” Franks shares a Best Ensemble Cast Award for this role. (Randall Franks Media)
He walks across the room and pulls down an album from a shelf and flips through it showing photos of rolling green farmland and a historic revolutionary home that sheltered his family for generations. Franks said his American story is not that unique, but the fact he knows a great deal about might be in this day and time.
His family tree includes 17 known grandfathers who fought on the side of the American patriots. Among his extended family are 48 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence including its author Thomas Jefferson. Also among his family ties is founding father President George Washington.
“I sometimes jokingly say my family all got together in 1776 and formed their own country,” he said.
In his latest film, “The American's Creed" he portrays a fictitious version of his own patriot ancestor Robert Shields who fought in the revolution and in this case, he also directs it and it’s companion documentary that are making the rounds in film festivals around the globe becoming a finalist and award winner in several.
Randall Franks as “Officer Randy Kraft” takes direction from Martha Coolidge for “The Flamingo Rising.” (Randall Franks Media/Hallmark: Anthony Neste)
Whether portraying characters that win him acting awards such as “Dr. J.A. Anderson,” a 1840s physician in the film “The Cricket’s Dance,” or inspiring A-list stars with his work as 1920s Appalachian String Band leader in films such as “Lawless;" or playing a comedic Southern police officer opposite the late Academy Award winner William Hurt in the 1960s era “The Flamingo Rising,” he is intrigued by the opportunities his varied career affords, he said.
This fall he is headed to the Grand Ole Opry House as a double nominee as Inspirational/Christian Vocalist of the Year and Musician of the Year (Fiddle). This is his second year in a row to be nominated in these categories in the Jose Music Awards.
As he returns to the Opry House, he will uniquely be marking his 40th Anniversary of his original appearance for the Grand Ole Opry at its 59th Annual Birthday Celebration in 1984 with his teenage bluegrass band The Peachtree Pickers.
“God has blessed me so in allowing my musical efforts to continue to strike a chord with audiences in many genres through the years,” he said. “Whether bluegrass, country, gospel, Americana or folk music, He has opened doors to allow my singing and playing to move audiences in concerts, on radio, TV and on the big screen.”
He joined guitarist Wesley Crider to create new music for his latest films which is already seeing radio success with a #7 AirPlay Direct Americana Global Album including the music.
Despite his deep connection to the founding of the United States, his love of his ancestral homelands are also on display in his home. Representations of what his ancestors left behind them when they climbed aboard the ships leaving their old countries – Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, France and Germany. Ancestral paintings, photos of family castles, and a collection of family trees are seen about his home. There are photos of paintings and drawings of his grandfathers King James IV of Scotland, King Edward III of England, and King Phillip IV of France along with the iconic painting of his uncle King Henry VIII.
“All of us stand on the shoulders of giants, no matter whether they had a crown upon their head, were serfs, farmers, merchants, clergymen, soldiers or sailors. Their efforts pushed forward our families and brought us at some point in history to the shores of America. In my case, some of my ancestors intermarried with the indigenous peoples, so I am blessed also by their heritage," he said. “Combining history with genealogy has fascinated me since childhood. I think that passion strengthens my ability to bring an authenticity to a variety of period roles," he said.
Randall Franks takes on the role of an Appalachian string band leader for “Lawless.” (Randall Franks Media)
When asked what he wants to do next, Franks said, he wants to expand his range of period roles and create some amazing new music recordings.
“While my latest film concentrates on the American Revolution, I am also fascinated with some of the people further up on my family tree that if providence allows, I would like a chance at playing some of them,” he said. “There were some amazing people who impacted the world, some for good, some not so good, but still interesting to play as an actor.”
Franks said he looks forward to the general release of “The American’s Creed” and “The Making of ‘The American’s Creed’” which is planned just in time for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution in early 2025. "The American’s Creed" album including soundtracks and other music is already available on Itunes and various download outlets including http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1743671704?ls=1&app=itunes. Also an author, his latest book is "Seeing Faith: A Devotional."
Learn more about Randall Franks career at www.RandallFranks.com and about his latest films at www.RandallFranks.com/The-Americans-Creed.
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