Paul Franklin | |
|---|---|
 Franklin performing in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1954-05-31)May 31, 1954 (age 71) |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Country,rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Steel guitar |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Member of | The Time Jumpers |
Paul V. Franklin (born May 31, 1954[1]) is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as asteel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member ofBarbara Mandrell's road band; in addition he toured withVince Gill,Mel Tillis,Jerry Reed andDire Straits. Paul is currently touring with Chris Stapleton. He has since become a prolific session musician inNashville, playing on more than 500 albums.[2][3] He has been named by theAcademy of Country Music as Best Steel Guitarist on several occasions.[2] He was inducted into theSteel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000[4] and theMusicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019. With thirty three, Franklin is the most nominated person inCMA history and is notable for having been nominated for theCountry Music Association Award for Musician of the Year thirty two times before finally winning for the first time on his 33rd nomination in2025. He has won eighteenAcademy of Country Music Awards for his musicianship.
In addition to thepedal steel guitar andlap steel guitar, Franklin playsDobro,fiddle, anddrums,[2] as well as three custom-built instruments called thePedabro, The Box, and the baritone steel guitar. Since 2016 Franklin has been offering online steel guitar lessons.[5][6]
Franklin is noted for bringing multiple musical innovations to the country music scene.[3] One, the Pedabro, invented by Franklin's father, is a type of Dobro fitted with pedals and played like a pedal steel guitar. The first of many hit records featuring the Pedabro was "Forever and Ever, Amen" byRandy Travis.[7]
Franklin has also created two new varieties of steel guitar, the first being a type of lap steel nicknamed "The Box", whose sound has been described as a "swampy acoustic guitar".[3] The other is the baritone steel guitar, the strings of which are tuned an octave lower than a traditional pedal steel guitar.[3]
He played steel guitar on the 1972 top-five hit "Nice to Be with You" byGallery.
Franklin has worked with many well known acts during his career, includingMark Knopfler andDire Straits,Barbara Mandrell,Rodney Crowell,Notting Hillbillies,Sting,Peter Frampton,George Strait,Alan Jackson,Faith Hill,Shania Twain,Barbra Streisand,Reba McEntire,Patty Loveless,Kathy Mattea,Big & Rich,Clint Black,Etta James,Jake Owen,Kane Brown,Kenny Rogers,Kid Rock,Lauren Alaina,Lee Ann Womack,Lionel Richie,Luke Bryan,Olivia Newton-John,Peter Cetera,Randy Travis,Ronnie Milsap,Sheryl Crow,Thomas Rhett,Tim McGraw,Toni Braxton,Trace Adkins,Vince Gill,Luke Combs,The Bellamy Brothers,Mark Chesnutt,George Fox,Collin Raye,John Michael Montgomery,David Lee Murphy,Lace,Toby Keith,Harry Connick Jr.,Wynonna Judd,Mark Wills,Hal Ketchum,Jo Dee Messina,Aaron Tippin,George Jones,Carrie Underwood,Aaron Lewis,Willie Nelson,Easton Corbin,Troy Cassar-Daley,Billy Corgan,Clay Walker andMegadeth.[7]
Franklin is a member ofThe Time Jumpers, a country and western swing band. In July 2013, he andVince Gill released a collaborative album calledBakersfield.[8]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US | ||
| Bakersfield(withVince Gill) |
| 4 | 25 |
| Sweet Memories(withVince Gill) |
| - | - |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
