Randall Franks Bring His Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree To Ringgold

Celebrating it 78th Anniversary, one of country music oldest continuous performing acts, will come to the Catoosa Colonnade Theater, 264 Catoosa Circle, in Ringgold, on Oct. 14, with a special event including Top-40 country artists Smith & Wesley, Dove Award nominees The Marksmen Quartet and others.

“This event provides such a variety of entertainment, folks who attend the entire event, are bound to like something,” Mr. Franks said. “We are carrying on a great tradition that began in the roots of country music with film and music pioneer Ramblin’ 'Doc' Tommy Scott.”

Mr. Franks, who has hosted the legendary show since 1990, said he is excited to share the show in his hometown. The event will raise funds for the Share America Foundation and the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment to encourage youth in Appalachian musical arts.

The day of entertainment will begin with a Sacred Sound Matinee at 1:30 p.m. featuring multiple bluegrass gospel group of the year award winners the Marksmen Quartet touring in their 56 year, The Testimony Quartet featuring several members of the Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and internationally known guitarist Wesley Crider.

Mr. Franks, who is widely known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s In the Heat of the Night will host the matinee. Admission for the matinee is $15 at the door or $10 in advance by ordering online at www.RandallFranks.com/show.

IBMA Award winner Mark Wheeler of the Marksmen said their group is excited to return to the Chattanooga area and hopes many of their friends made along the way will come out and support this concert.

“We will be sharing some of our hits from through the years, and of course, some of our very latest songs,” he said. “My father is also ready to raise the rafters.”

His father is the legendary gospel singer Earle Wheeler, who founded the multi-award winning group in 1967.

After a supper break, the Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree will resume for a second show – the Country Music Caravan featuring Top-40 Country Artists Smith & Wesley, Randall Franks and his Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree with Ryan Stinson, Getting off Track Improv Comedy, and in keeping with its name will feature the premiere of “The American’s Creed” short film and the documentary “The Making of the American’s Creed” with special appearances by several of the actors from the film. Admission for the four hours of entertainment on the Country Caravan is $15 at the door or $10 in advance by ordering online at www.RandallFranks.com/show.

Smith & Wesley features Ringgold brothers Scott and Todd Smith. The Independent Artist of the Year duo creates a unique style of country that continues to take listeners by storm. Some of their successful songs include “Cheaper Than the Truth,” "Let Me Know,” “Under It with You Tonight,” “Listen to the Radio,” “The Little Things,” “Sweet Life” and “You’re the One,” “Superman for a Day,” and “Hook, Line and Sinker.”

Scott and Todd both shared how much they look forward to bringing their show back to Ringgold.
“For several years we hosted a Smith and Wesley and Friends concert in Ringgold, when we heard that Randall was planning his anniversary event for Ringgold, we decided instead to join in his effort for a great cause,” Scott said. “Randall has appeared on our show, so it's only natural we appear on his!”
Todd sees it as a wonderful chance to share with all their hometown friends.

“Scott and I are excited to be playing for this charity event which is near and dear to our and our mom’s hearts,” Todd said.

“This allows us to keep up a great tradition started by our parents of giving back to the community every year in a unique way,” Scott said.

Mr. Franks and his Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree band includes guitarist Caleb Lewis, banjo player Dawson Wright, versatile singer and pianist Ryan Stinson and Hall of Fame musician Todd Watkins on bass.

Mr. Franks is a multiple music hall of fame inductee as a singer and fiddler, who also found success in acting appearing in numerous films and television shows including his award-winning role in “The Cricket’s Dance,” “Broken” with Soren Fulton, “Lukewarm” with John Schneider, and others.

“I will be sharing many of the songs which have been requested by audiences across the country throughout my career, including my current hit 'God’s Children,'" Mr. Franks said.

His song hit #1 on Cashbox Charts earlier in 2023 and Franks is nominated for Inspirational Vocalist of the Year and will attend the award at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville later this month.

Getting Off Track Improv including Adam Cook, Eric Jackson, Greg Jackson, Dan Lions, and Bobby Daniels will also entertain bringing their unique style to family comedy.

"The American's Creed" and it's documentary "The Making of the American's Creed" is a Revolutionary War era film created by director Randall Franks for the film festival circuit and filmed on location in Chickamauga, Ga.

Shirley Smith of Smith Charitable Endowment said she is so appreciative of all the community partners that help make their annual event possible.

“Whether we are assisting a high school athletic program, a youth scholarship or arts activity, or teaching people of all ages to read or get the GED through the Catoosa Citizens for Literacy, our focus remains, making the lives of our neighbors better with greater opportunities,” she said. “We are honored to partner with numerous organizations sharing the success of this event with the youth who receive the Appalachian music scholarships.”

Among the partners assisting in bringing these year’s event to fruition are FirstBank, Darrell Henry of Fletcher Bright Realty, Steven M. Henry Construction, Rick Worley & Son, Inc., Price Ringgold Drugs, Graham Dental, RTC – Ringgold Telephone Company, Mountain View Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep of Ringgold, Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys and Counselors at Law, Chick-fil-A, DeedraHemphill.com, Gary Thacker Insurance, Greased Light’n Instant Oil, KCP Architects, True North Advisors – Raymond James, Ameriprise Financial – Blake Womack, and Stephens Garbage Service.

A ticket for both shows is $30 at the door or $20 in advance. For more information, visit www.RandallFranks.com/show. Like Share America Foundation and Smith Charitable Endowment on Facebook. For directions to the Colonnade Theater call 706-935-9000.