The Steel Guitar Forum

I had the unexpected fortune of meeting Paul Franklin this weekend at the Vince Gill concert in Marksville, LA. He was very down to earth, personable, and a genuinely nice person. I've never seen him perform live before; and he put on a clinic. It was one of their first shows this tour and apparently he will be with Vince Gill for the remainder of the year. If I remember correctly, his guitar had 17 pedals and 11 knee levers. And if you're reading this Paul, thanks for signing my guitar in the freezing cold.

Everybody's got Little Walters!

Paul is one of the nicest most approachable people you will ever meet. That's not leg humping, it's the truth. If you ever get a chance to meet his parents you will understand why. They are beautiful people.

Everybody's got Little Walters!

I beg your pardon

If I remember correctly, his guitar had 17 pedals and 11 knee levers

Not likely... He just sounds like it.

I always liked Theresa best.

The Franklin Booth is always a great stop at Scotty's. You can count on at least 3 generations of good folks there most anytime.

Paul is a genuine nice guy !!!

What kind of guitar does he play? JUST JOKING; I know it's a Franklin. I met Paul Franklin Sr. back in the mid-1980s at Jeff Newman's school, and he was also a very personable guy. stevet

I have had an equally pleasant experience with Paul.
The only regret was I didn't invite him to check out
my guitar and rig on stage. I guess I was caught up in the moment.

Hi Chuck,

Great quote!!!

Thanks for sharing.

TommyG in NW Tennessee

Kevin Hatton wrote:Paul is one of the nicest most approachable people you will ever meet. That's not leg humping, it's the truth. If you ever get a chance to meet his parents you will understand why. They are beautiful people.

Truer words have yet to be spoken. I too have been blessed with meeting his parents as well as Paul.

All are absolutely correct. I bought a new Franklin from Paul Sr. in 1989. I had the good fortune of having a business trip to Nashville shortly thereafter and I called Paul Sr. telling him I wanted to see the birthplace of my guitar. He invited me to his house. We sat for a long time and had iced tea in his home, just he and his wife, as they both heaped praise on their son, showing me the first gold album Paul had ever performed on......it was Randy Travis..........and Paul had given to his father. What greater honor I don't know.

Finally he took me out back to his shop. I figured I'd find a garage-sized shop where he did his magic. But no, it was an old metal storage building about 14'x14' with and old wood burning stove inside the middle of it! This man did amazing things with his hands and his talent. I'll never forget that day. Had I seen where he built the guitars before I had bought my first Franklin I probably never would have bought one.......which would have been a huge mistake.

I venture that I have the only Franklin that has ever set foot on the stage of the Chicago Symphony Hall in Chicago. I had the honor of performing there with a dear friend of mine from Picher, OK who played bassoon with the CSO. We did a special show the night they opened the symphony hall after a major renovation. We were the CSO Okies. I had to call Paul Sr. and tell him and his wife of this special moment for me and my guitar. They are truly great people. And Paul Jr. is of the same piece of wood. A wonderful family and wonderful people.

met Paul Franklin this past Monday night at the Station Inn.... incredibly personable... took the time to hug my daddy's neck and made him feel special... can't beat that with a stick... thank you Paul... it was a true honor to hear you pick

It is very obvious that Paul has had a good raisin'. Jody.

Oh yeah. I like his guitar player too.