The SouthEastern Bluegrass Association recently honored Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” with a special Founder’s Award.
Franks appeared at the organization’s award show in Calhoun, Ga. serving as a presenter and making a special appearance on stage with Barbwire Bluegrass.
Entertainers Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long were also special guests at the event.
SEBA was founded in 1984 and Franks was among the six original founders who birthed the idea at the Diamond Lure Bluegrass Festival in Ellijay, Ga.
“It developed from a discussion about how our industry needed better communication between promoters, bands and fans to put our best foot forward to the general public. We wanted to work together to share our love of the music,†Franks said.
That group included musicians Tom Jones, Elaine Eager, Shorty Eager and the late bluegrass vendors and promoters Dan and Betty Needham, he said.
That group all put up $10 and agreed to start spreading the word.
“I was charged with returning to Atlanta and talking with some leading members of the bluegrass community to bring them on board,†he said. “After talking with my late parents (Floyd and Pearl Franks), I initially enlisted leading Atlanta bluegrass radio hosts T.P. and Sandra Hollomon and the effort grew from there. We had many others who joined the initial planning committees and helped us formalize the idea into the reality that thrives today.â€
Franks performed in 1984 with his band the Peachtree Pickers, and made special appearances as a fiddler with other groups. Within that same year Franks with his Peachtree Pickers made his first appearance for the Grand Ole Opry ®, and began performing with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. For more information about Randall Franks, visit http://randallfranks.com.
Franks said he is pleased to see all the work that those original members invested continues to help preserve, publicize and promote bluegrass music.
SEBA is a non-profit organization of fans, musicians, promoters, vendors, and friends of bluegrass music serving the Southern states and beyond through its newsletter, The SEBA Breakdown and www.sebabluegrass.org.