- Paul Franklin
Infobox Musical artist
Name = Paul Franklin
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = 1953
Origin =Detroit, Michigan ,USA
Instrument =Pedal steel guitar Lap steel guitar
Baritone steel guitar
The BoxDobro Fiddle
Drums
Pedabro
Genre = Country, soul
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 197x-present
Associated_acts =Barbara Mandrell ,Jerry Reed ,Mel Tillis
URL = http://www.paul-franklin.comPaul Franklin (born 1953 in
Detroit, Michigan cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jbfqxqy5ldae~T1 |title=Paul Franklin biography |accessdate=2008-01-29 |last=Dillon |first=Charlotte |work=Allmusic ] ) is an American multi-intrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member ofBarbara Mandrell 's road band; in addition he toured with Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed. He has since become a prolific session musician inNashville, Tennessee , playing on more than 500 albums.cite web |url=http://countrymusic.about.com/od/awards/a/pfranklin_cma.htm |title=Paul Franklin - 2005 CMA Nominee profile |accessdate=2008-01-29 |last=Fabian |first=Shelly |date=2005 |work=About.com ] He has been named by theAcademy of Country Music as Best Steel Guitarist on several occasions. In addition to thepedal steel guitar andlap steel guitar , Franklin playsDobro ,fiddle , and drums, as well as three custom-built instruments called the Pedabro, The Box, and the baritone steel guitar.Musical innovations
He is noted for bringing multiple musical innovations to the country music scene. One of these, the Pedabro, is a type of Dobro fitted with a pedal and played like a pedal steel guitar. This was invented by Franklin's father.cite web |url=http://www.paul-franklin.com/bio.html |title=Paul Franklin biography |accessdate=2008-01-29 |work=Paul Franklin.com]
Franklin has also created two new variations of steel guitars, the first of which is a type of lap steel guitar nicknamed "The Box", whose sound has been described as a "swampy acoustic guitar". The other type of guitar that he invented is the baritone steel guitar, the strings of which are tuned an octave lower than a traditional pedal steel guitar.
Collaborations
Franklin has worked with many well known acts during his career, including
Barbara Mandrell ,Dire Straits , Sting,Mark Knopfler ,George Strait ,Alan Jackson ,Shania Twain ,Barbara Streisand andMegadeth .cite web |url=http://www.paul-franklin.com/bio.html |title=Paul Franklin biography |accessdate=2008-01-29 |work=Paul Franklin.com]References
External links
* [http://www.paul-franklin.com/ Paul Franklin steel guitarist]
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