Entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” is featured on a new video release from Autry-Franks Productions highlighting his vintage studio recording of “Let’s Live Every Day Like It Was Christmas” performed with Grand Ole Opry stars - the Whites, Jesse McReynolds and Jerry Douglas.
“It was so much fun to see these performances like they have not been seen before,” Franks said. “Although we taped the performances to help promote the project 20 years ago, they were mainly used for news stories around the country and the song as a whole was never released. Seeing it and the other interview clips from the project brings back so many wonderful memories. All these wonderful actors and artists donated their time for this charitable effort.”
This performance featuring Randall vocally with Buck, Sharon and Cheryl of the Whites was included among the top 10 country vocal collaborations of the year when the song was released to radio.
It appears on the 20th Anniversary “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” CD featuring the cast of TV’s “In the Heat of the Night” and Friends from Sonlite and Crimson Records in association with MGM. The CD was produced by Randall Franks and Alan Autry.
The charity CD raises funds for drug abuse prevention charities and features selections from the actors of the popular show with special appearances by country, bluegrass and gospel stars. A donation of $20 in the U.S. to receive the CD can be made at www.shareamericafoundation.org. “In the Heat of the Night” currently airs on WGN America.
Also included on Franks’s performance were guitarist Bill Everett, drummer Monty Hall, and the late bass player Gene Daniell. The song was written by Franks and two-time Dove Award nominee Mark Wheeler.
Franks said that his video is now live on Randall Franks TV on YouTube and interviews highlighting other show stars such as Alan Autry, David Hart, Anne-Marie Johnson, Crystal Fox, Geoffrey Thorne, Carroll O'Connor, Howard Rollins are being added throughout the December. If not accustomed to YouTube, a viewer can also find it at http://randallfranks.com/.
“I hope the videos encourage some folks this Christmas season and of course draw some folks into getting a copy of the CD to help us continue the original charitable effort we set out to assist years ago,” Franks said.
In his most recent film “Lukewarm,” released last month, Franks stars with John Schneider, Bill Cobbs and Nicole Gale Anderson and Jenna von Oy and Jeremy Jones.
Franks has co-starred or starred in 14 films with superstars including Dolly Parton, Christian Slater, William Hurt and Stella Parton and legendary western star “Doc” Tommy Scott.
The International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend’s musical stylings have been heard in 150 countries and by more than 25 million Americans. The Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame member’s musical career boasts 18 album releases, 17 singles, and over 200 recordings with various artists from various genres. The award-winning fiddler’s best selling release, "Handshakes and Smiles" was a top 20 Christian music seller. Many of his albums were among the top 30-bluegrass recordings of their release year. In addition to his solo career which includes 13 years of guest starring for the Grand Ole Opry ®, Franks is a former member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse's Virginia Boys and has performed with Jeff and Sheri Easter, The Lewis Family, the Marksmen Quartet, Elaine and Shorty, “Doc” Tommy Scott’s Last Real Old Time Medicine Show and Doodle and the Golden River Grass.
He is also president of the Share America Foundation, Inc. that provides the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship to musicians continuing the traditional music of Appalachia. He hosts a monthly concert series at the historic Ringgold Depot which helps fund the scholarships.
He authored four books. His latest is “A Mountain Pearl: Appalachian Reminiscing and Recipes.” His others are including “Stirring Up Success with a Southern Flavor” and “Stirring Up Additional Success with a Southern Flavor,” both with Shirley Smith, and “Snake Oil, Superstars and Me” with “Doc” Tommy Scott and Shirley Swiesz.
He is a syndicated columnist with his column “Southern Style” appears weekly in newspapers from North Carolina to Texas. He was included among his generation’s leading country humorists in Loyal Jones’ book “Country Music Humorists and Comedians.”
For more information, visit http://randallfranks.com/.
