Paul Franklin (musician)

Paul Franklin
Franklin performing in 2012
Franklin performing in 2012
Background information
Born (1954-05-31) May 31, 1954 (age 70)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresCountry, rock
OccupationMusician
Instruments
Years active1970s–present
Member ofThe Time Jumpers

Paul V. Franklin (born May 31, 1954[1]) is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band; in addition he toured with Vince Gill, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed and Dire Straits. Paul is currently touring with Chris Stapleton. He has since become a prolific session musician in Nashville, playing on more than 500 albums.[2][3] He has been named by the Academy of Country Music as Best Steel Guitarist on several occasions.[2] He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000[4] and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019. With thirty, Franklin is the most nominated person in CMA history and is notable for having been nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Musician of the Year twenty nine times but has yet to win.

In addition to the pedal steel guitar and lap steel guitar, Franklin plays Dobro, fiddle, and drums,[2] as well as three custom-built instruments called the Pedabro, The Box, and the baritone steel guitar. Since 2016 Franklin has been offering online steel guitar lessons.[5][6]

  1. ^ U.S. Public Records Index Vol 1 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Dillon, Charlotte. "Paul Franklin biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  3. ^ Fabian, Shelly (2005). "Paul Franklin - 2005 CMA Nominee profile". About.com. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  4. ^ Scott, DeWitt. "The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame/". scottysmusic.com. The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "June 2018 – Truetone". Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Texas Steel Guitar Association". texassteelguitar.org. Retrieved April 10, 2020.