Paul Franklin
A steel guitar legend with seventeen ACM awards and a career spanning over 500 albums.
Paul Franklin is an American multi-instrumentalist born May 31, 1954, best known as a steel guitarist who has shaped the sound of Nashville for decades. Beginning his career in the 1970s with Barbara Mandrell's road band, he went on to tour with icons like Vince Gill, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed, and even rock band Dire Straits. Currently touring with Chris Stapleton, Franklin is a prolific session musician who has played on more than 500 albums. His contributions have earned him seventeen Academy of Country Music Awards for musicianship and induction into both the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2020.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 31 May 1954
- Origin
- Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
- Instrument
- Steel guitar
- Genre
- Country, rock
- Occupation
- Musician
- Years active
- 1970s–present
- Current member of
- The Time Jumpers
Lore & Background
Franklin's journey to becoming a legend involved breaking ground with unique instruments and historic collaborations. He plays not only pedal steel and lap steel but also Dobro, fiddle, and drums, alongside three custom-built creations: the Pedabro (invented by his father), 'The Box,' which sounds like a 'swampy acoustic guitar,' and the baritone steel guitar tuned an octave lower than traditional.
Reader's Guide
For fans seeking to understand Franklin's scope, his discography spans from early work with Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits to collaborations with a vast array of artists including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Barbra Streisand, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson, and Megadeth. He is also a member of the country and western swing band The Time Jumpers. Whether playing steel guitar on Randy Travis records or touring with Chris Stapleton today, Franklin remains a central figure in the Nashville recording community, offering lessons online since 2016 while continuing to perform live.
Did You Know?
- Franklin has received fourteen CMA nominations as of 2024 but has not yet won a CMA Musician of the Year award.
- George Strait holds the record for the most CMA nominations among artists, and Franklin is not the most nominated individual in CMA history.
- He released a collaborative album called Bakersfield with Vince Gill in July 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many awards has Paul Franklin won for his musicianship?
He is a record-holder with eighteen Academy of Country Music Awards specifically recognizing his superior instrumental performance. Additionally, he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000 and recently won CMA Musician of the Year after 33 nominations.
Which famous artists has Paul Franklin collaborated with throughout his career?
His extensive resume includes touring with icons like Vince Gill, Mel Tillis, and Jerry Reed, as well as playing sessions for rock legends in Dire Straits. He is also currently a key member of Chris Stapleton's touring band.
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