Paul Franklin

Born on May 31, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Paul Franklin began playing steel guitar at the age of eight. He quickly adapted to the instrument, expanding his skills to pedal steel by the age of eleven when he joined the Musician’s Union. His early career included session work on notable tracks such as Parliament’s “Little Ole Country Boy” in 1970 and Gallery’s 1972 Top Ten hit “It’s So Nice to Be with You.” Franklin later moved to Nashville, where he became a touring musician for prominent artists like Barbara Mandrell, Dottie West, Lynn Anderson, and Jerry Reed, all while continuing to build a significant portfolio of session recordings, including various jingles. He released several independent albums during this period, including “Play by Play” and “Just Pickin’.”

Franklin’s professional standing grew significantly through the 1980s and 1990s. He performed with Mel Tillis’ backing band, The Statesiders, for several years. A pivotal moment came when he was recruited by Mark Knopfler for his country-rock side project, The Notting Hillbillies, and subsequently played on Dire Straits’ final album, “On Every Street,” participating in its supporting tour. Throughout these decades, Franklin consistently earned recognition from his peers for his contributions to music, receiving numerous nominations for Musician of the Year from the Country Music Association. His innovative spirit extends to instrument design, particularly his work with his father on the Pedabro, an instrument featured on hit records such as Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen.”

Into the 2000s and 2010s, Paul Franklin remained an active and sought-after musician. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019. Franklin also cultivated a close artistic partnership with Vince Gill, collaborating on albums like 2013’s “Bakersfield,” a tribute to Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, and 2023’s “Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & the Cherokee Cowboys.” He is also a member of the all-star Western Swing group, The Time Jumpers. In 2025, Franklin received his first Country Music Association Award for Musician of the Year after an unprecedented 33 nominations, a testament to his enduring influence and consistent excellence in the music industry. He has also won eighteen Academy of Country Music Awards for his musicianship.