the Bible, Shakespeare, Robertson Davies, Laurens van der Post, Dylan, Mitchell, Cockburn, Claudia Schmidt, Linda Waterfall, American traditional music, Robert Johnson, Leonard Cohen, John Schindler, Martin Grosswendt
Bob Franke (it rhymes with “Yankee”) is now known to many as “the singer/songwriter’s singer/songwriter.” "A standard of songs that most writers can only dream about and admire in drop-jawed silence" is the way Folk Roots magazine (England) describes Bob’s songs. As Tom Paxton says of Franke, “It’s his integrity. I always think of Bob as if Emerson and Thoreau had picked up acoustic guitars and gotten into songwriting. There’s touches of Mark Twain and Buddy Holly in there, too.”
Doing well, thanks; looking forward to New Bedford Summerfest this 4th of July weekend, and to visiting the DC area in a couple of weeks. Recovering from a cold, but other than that in good health.
Hi Bob: I'm not sure you remember me. Back in A2 in late '67 or early '68 you wrote the very first review of a live performance I'd ever had. My name was spelt slightly differently in those days (John Micallef) but as many club owners couldn't pronounce it, I changed it to the phonetic spelling. You also came to my apartment at the time and recorded a bunch of your songs on my reel to reel, one of which, Nickels Arcade, I recall with great fondness. I hope we'll meet up at some point and have a chat. I've just gotten back into the mainstream after being sequested in the church for the last 17 years. Been listening to your For Real album lately. Hope this finds you well and as creative as you've always been. Jon
It is a great day to be alive! What Question can I ask to empower myself and others? How can I improve the experience of those I encounter today? What can I do to facilitate your Gift?
Yesterday Is History Tomorrow is a Mystery Today is a Gift... That's why we call it the Present
Hello, I just wanted to say that ever since I was 14, when I read the book Hard Love (your lyrics were featured in the back of the novel), I have been enchanted with the song. Well, I'm 21 now and when I stumbled across you on myspace, I was even more taken in by hearing you perform it. Thank you for the beautiful music!
Hello =] Wow, I was listening to "Hard Love" over and over again today and I cried so hard...My fiance and the father of my child is in jail and I feel that song directly relates to me when I hear it. I copied the lyrics down on paper and sent them to him; He loves it. Thanks for being such an amazing singer/songwriter<3
I like to think about you being where it's warm. I watched our 44th president being sworn in today. Sure, I squeezed out a few teardrops but I lost it entirely when Aretha sang My Country Tis... Be well, cj
"hard love" the song captures every feeling so well. i cant stop lisitening to it. its like a pain u wish would go away while at the same time hope it never leavs cause it would mean that person would be erased from ur life. hard love so ture. thank u for the song
Thanks for the add, Bob, and for your help in spreading the word about the Taunton River Folk Festival www. tauntonfest. org) and keeping live music alive!
Took your songwriting class at PSGW last year, and while I didn't finish the class, zI finished my song and still remember and appreciate some of the tips you gave...Hope you're well...
Hi Bob, thanks for adding me, great to find you on myspace. I'm still writing, directing St. Anne's choir and teaching children to write songs, most recent was "G'Day Mates" at Cougar Creek School. the Day of our presentation felt like "Heaven on Earth!" Hope you are well. Peace to you, Marsha Reeves
Thanks for the add, Bob. We've spoken almost Every time you get to the New Bedford/Fall River area for gigs, as I try to be at them all. You're terrific!! All the best, Art
Bob, I can't tell you enough how amazing your music is, Although I doubt you, yourself read these, and if you do, You wont care much what a little teenage girl like me has to say, but your music is amazing to me. Honestly, I didn't know who you were no more than a day ago. I finnished this book last night, Called Hard Love. In the book, It mentions your song hard love and some of the lyrics. The book hit me very close to home and the lyrics to that song hit me ever closer so I jumped online and looked you up. I really truely enjoy your music. Thanks so much.
Your willingness to teach and share with other musicians is probably the greatest lesson you gave me at the Tamarack Workshop. Thank you so much for dealing with my hard-headedness. I was elated for days following the workshop because of your filling of my cup, my spirit.
Thank you for reminding me that there is hope, there is purpose... there is light.
I hope to be moving to Boston in August. Perhaps we can meet up and play a gig together.
I can't tell you how much I benefitted from the songwriting workshop this weekend. It was such was wonderful and opening experience. I may have written a song but you showed us how to bring it forth.
I feel that I can take great steps forward and make progress in the songwriting process. It was great to hang out with you and see you in concert again. I hope it's not 20 years before I see you again.
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