Paul Franklin ?

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 17 Dec 2010 8:35 pm

Dear Paul,
Steve Gibson, myself and the entire Grand Ole Opry band remember seeing you on TV playing with Barbara Mandrell circa 1974 or 1973? You were playing a white "tidewood" MSA equipped with black hardware. We would like to see and hear this clip on Youtube again! We are having trouble locating the clip. Any info you could provide will be so appreciated my friend.
You were the topic of conversation this evening at the Opry. We were also trying to put together the time line of who you worked with through that era. I followed you in Donna Fargo's band in 1976. I remember hearing you play " Orange Blossom Special" on the local radio station at the Wheeling WV. "Jamboree in the Hills" as we pulled up in the bus. You were playing with Mel Tillis at the time.Incredible.
So sorry for rambling. Hope all is well with you!
Best,
TW

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 18 Dec 2010 4:03 am

Hi Tommy,

The clip would be from "Hee Haw" or "That Nashville Music".......It was in 1972.....Barbara brought me to town....In September of the same year I worked for Dottie West....I wasn't crazy about the scene in Nashville or the road life so I moved back to Detroit at the beginning of 73. After a few months when Lynn Anderson called I moved back to Nashville which is when Steve Gibson and I met......It was Steve's first gig in town and what a great player he is.....He could play everything from Leon Rhodes to Jimmy Hendrix....We remain dear friends to this day........At the end of 74 I took Donna Fargo's gig and then I left to starve trying to stay in town......I distinctly remember when you hit town like a hurricane full of talent....You didn't leave many trees standing....I am proud of our friendship lasting from our early teens until our now "almost" senior years......AARP sends me letters all the time.....Damn....That hurts.....Seriously, to see all that you have accomplished with this instrument, your career, and family is amazing........As I remember we all had wild hair back then.....

If you all find the clip, let me know and ignore the hair........LOL

Happy Holidays, Paul

Oh, and tell all hello for me......IMO, The band at the Opry is showcasing the art of great musicianship at its highest level....Each player relentlessly offers their enormous talents with class and respect to each artist. Team fellowship doesn't get any better than this......

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 18 Dec 2010 6:52 am

Wow...Thank you so much for the very kind and detailed reply my dear friend. I value our friendship deeply.

I also have the most respect for you and the accomplishments you have made on and for pedal steel guitar as well. I'm sure the boys and I will be searching Youtube between songs this evening.
And I agree, Steve Gibson is an awesome person and musician. Glad he and I became friends too!
Again, my sincerest thanks!
Merry Christmas!
Oh, by the way, I think I will join AARP! I'm tired of shredding the letters!

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 18 Dec 2010 8:05 am

lol, they keep sending the letters even after you join Tommy
Hook

Rusty Rhoads · Post by **Rusty Rhoads** » 18 Dec 2010 8:35 am

TG i do not get AARP Letter's instead i get junk mail enough i can heat a house with every year UGH!
i think i found my nich making photo shop picture's

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 18 Dec 2010 8:55 am

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 18 Dec 2010 9:43 am

heck with the video clip......

tell some stories about all these hot women calling you to come "play" with them!!!!

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 18 Dec 2010 6:27 pm

As one who owns a few pedal steel guitars...it's sad to note that the only thing Paul Franklin and I have in common is that we both were living in Detroit in 1973 and we both throw away AARP letters.

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 18 Dec 2010 8:04 pm

ahhh,,,al little peep into the past...of our heros...I had hair once too..Happy Holidays Tommy, Paul...!!!..

David Beckner · Post by **David Beckner** » 18 Dec 2010 8:26 pm

Rusty
Being an old car buff and a struggling steeler I think you might consider making this a print available to all of us classic enthusiest..

Fred Amendola · Post by **Fred Amendola** » 18 Dec 2010 9:02 pm

Paul was on Hee Haw with Barbara Mandrell doing "Show Me" and "Satisfied/Old Time Religion." Like he said, 1972.
I too am waiting for this to finally come up on the Hee Haw reruns, if ever.
Paul was just burnin, and Gerald Reid was the guitar player, with his right arm in a cast no less. Paul and Gerry had solos in Satisfied. Oh man.

I have a really bad quality audio only of it, but it would be great to see on YouTube.

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 19 Dec 2010 7:21 am

Paul Franklin and Tommy White, two of the absolute best this industry has been fortunate enough to have, and certainly two of my greatest friends ever! May you both live long and prosper. (Oh ya, I think my AARP membership is currently up to date)

Bob Lawrence · Post by **Bob Lawrence** » 19 Dec 2010 3:39 pm

@Paul

re: The clip would be from "Hee Haw" or "That Nashville Music".......It was in 1972..

How about "Pop Goes The Country" Show

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 20 Dec 2010 7:35 pm

I Have Known Tommy Sence He was 13 years When he played at Jole rays in Hodgenville .ky. And Paul Sence 1981 From Jeffran school. SONNY(aka) Hank ray.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 20 Dec 2010 8:07 pm

I'm past the AARP stuff, now I get these on a regular basis and it makes me wonder if they know something that I don't...

Storm Rosson · Post by **Storm Rosson** » 21 Dec 2010 8:45 am

Geez ,you too Chas? .....man no wonder they push those anti-depressants like m&m's lol.....Stormy.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 26 Dec 2010 10:15 pm

The first time I saw Paul was in '77 on a TV shot with Linda Hargrove. It blew me down and I remember discussing that shot with Reece and how he was also super amazed.

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 27 Dec 2010 6:43 am

Paul - Was that You on "Standing Room Only" (Live)? What guitar was that! It blows me away!

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 27 Dec 2010 7:08 am

Tommy/Paul

As Tommy and Lloyd did not long ago, what's the chance of you two guys doing a video like that?

Of course i would like it center around speed picken but to watch you two would be an historic event! You guys are the Buddy and Lloyd of my days at playing steel!

I had a VHS tape i recorded all the Austin City Limits shows on and it had Paul playing "Heart Over Mind" with Mel that i spent a long time learning how to play what he did! I also had Tommy playin with the Whites on the Opry when he had a red Emmons. The camera was close and Tommy played the first string and raised it with his finger beside the bar! I spent a year learning this and still do it today even though i have a lever that will do it as well!
My ex-wife kept my tapes but recently my daighter said she had them. I'm searching for this one!

Thanks for staying true to who you guys are! Class!!
Two hero's of mine for sure!
km

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 13 Jan 2025 4:29 pm

Steve Gibson is from my hometown of Peoria, IL.
He is a good friend. Tremendously humble, thinks and plays with common sense. One of my most favorite people on the Earth. I have been a fan of his playing my entire playing life.

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 13 Jan 2025 9:45 pm

14 year old thread! This is the clip Tommy W was asking about in his OP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYXoJsRq0m8&t=102s

Dan Kelly · Post by **Dan Kelly** » 14 Jan 2025 3:07 am

Thanks Ian! MAN, such clean, accurate picking... Just beautiful, Paul!

Tony Dingus · Post by **Tony Dingus** » 14 Jan 2025 7:46 pm

Here's another one from Hee Haw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts7NcMPQ_to

Tony

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 21 Jan 2025 9:30 am

Heres another, Paul, as I remember you got a new guitar, and left your thumb picks hanging on the cross shafts...Does that right a bell????? You sure made them MSA sing..)) David

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYXoJsRq0m8

Rex Wiseman · Post by **Rex Wiseman** » 21 Jan 2025 10:50 am

Something I don't understand....... Paul was born in May and I was born in July......How did he get so much better than me in just two months !!! LOL
Tommy & Paul, I have the highest respect for you both !!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Paul Franklin ?

Paul Franklin ?

Xmas!

Tommy & paul

Paul