Since 1981, Rick Franklin has been playing and singing the Blues at local festivals and community events, as well as various clubs and cafes, both in and around the Washington, DC area.
His musical interests are eclectic, reflecting his considerable travels both domestic and abroad. In addition to the Blues, Rick is an aficionado of everything from African High Life, Brazilian Batucada and Samba to Reggae and Zydeco; musical idioms which, like the Blues, reflect the considerable contribution of the African heritage to the musical scene.
Rick's musical style of blues is known as the "Piedmont" style identified with such legendary players like Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller and William More along with contemporary players like Virginia residents John Cephas, the late John Jackson and the late Maryland resident, Archie Edwards.
Rick has taught guitar to youths and adults and is personally committed to the preservation and diffusion of the Blues, especially amongst the young.
Rick has been an Executive Board member of the DC Blues Society and helped organize and performed in the first annual DC Blues Festival. Rick also contributed to the DC Blues Society as a music critic for their monthly and quarterly publication.
In addition to solo performances, Rick also performs in the area with the popular acoustic blues trio Franklin, Harpe, and Usilton. This trio performs 1920s and 1930s blues and ragtime in the Memphis and St. Louis guitar-duet style.
The trio has released a self-produced CD entitled Hokum Blues and the trio has also been featured on cable television for Arlington, Fairfax and Montgomery counties. Franklin & Harpe have also released a second self produced CD entitled Doin’ The Dozens. Rick's third release, Searching for Frank is also a self-produced joint project with Mike Baytop.
Rick has performed throughout the metropolitan area at events such as the Washington Folk Festival, Northern Virginia Folk Festival, the DC Blues Society Blues Festival, the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, the Old Songs Festival, the Herndon Blues Festival, and for the Baltimore Blues Society, in addition to appearances at The National Portrait Gallery and local elementary schools.
Blues News
Rick Franklin: Faculty at The Port Townsend Country Blues Festival
Read more about The Port Townsend Country Blues Festival, where Rick Franklin will serve as a member of the faculty. Read more...
The Making of "Searching for Frank"
Check out this YouTube documentary about the making of Searching For Frank, the new CD by Rick Franklin and Mike Baytop. Watch Video
Get Your Copy of "Searching for Frank" Contact Rick for details on ordering his new CD Searching For Frank recorded with Mike Baytop at the world famous Patuxent Music studios. Copies can now be purchased at:
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Hey Rick, I don't know if you remember me or not, but my name is TJ, I'm 14, I met you this year in Port Townsend, and I took a couple of your classes. I recently bought your CD Hokum Blues and LOVE IT! I've been working your version of Eagle Ridin' Papa lately but have over 3/4 of the CD on my priority list of songs to learn. Let me know if you're ever coming to the Portland, Oregon area. Take care! ~TJ
