News

FRANKLIN, TN — Since its 2011 renovation, the Franklin Theatre has become one of the most important cultural catalysts and social gathering places in middle Tennessee.  The historic venue hosted 635 events last year and it has helped raise more than $2 million for area charities since reopening.

“The Franklin Theater continues to cement its place in downtown Franklin and the hearts of our patrons,” says Mary Pearce of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County.  “We look forward to another exciting year of entertainment” including performances by The Chuck Wagon Gang (Feb. 10), Mac Davis (Feb. 13 & 14), Gretchen Peters (Feb. 27), Mel Tillis (Mar. 13 & 14), Hot Club of Cowtown (Mar. 27) and more.

In 2014, the Franklin Theatre hosted a variety of sold out concerts including Art Garfunkel, Bret Michaels, ASIA, The Bacon Brothers and Sheryl Crow. In addition to live music, the ABC television series Nashville used the Franklin Theatre as a backdrop for several scenes.

The Franklin Theatre averages approximately two events per day and, in addition to live music and movies, is honored to work with schools, students, police and fire departments, senior groups, press conferences, merchant groups, medical societies and major corporations. The venue also features classic Christmas movies as part of its holiday programming. “The Franklin Theatre has quickly become a favorite holiday tradition for many families,” says theater director Dan Hays.

In total, 70,566 patrons were ticketed for events in 2014 and generated an estimated $3.5 million economic impact.  Approximately 12% of patrons were visitors from outside of middle Tennessee and nearly 60% from Williamson County this past year.

Attendees are the theater’s greatest champions as over 98% say they are likely to recommend events hosted at Franklin Theatre to others.  In surveys, 96% rate the quality of programming as “above average” or “excellent.”

Details about upcoming events, arrangements to rent the facilities and how to make a contribution can be found here on the theater’s website or by calling 615-538-2076.

THE HOLIDAYS SHINE BRIGHT AT FRANKLIN THEATRE
Christmas Film Fest and World-Class Live Music Featured

FRANKLIN, TN – The historic 300-seat Franklin Theatre announced its Christmas entertainment lineup today, featuring a variety of live concerts and classic holiday-themed movies that celebrate the venue’s 75-year tradition.

“Christmas and the holidays are a cherished time.  We’re honored that families and friends make it an annual ritual to spend some time together enjoying live music or a favorite film at the Franklin Theatre,” says theater director Dan Hays.

Among the musical greats scheduled and sponsored by Jackson National Life Insurance for Christmas themed shows are The Blind Boys of Alabama (Dec. 5), Suzy Bogguss (Dec. 12), Phil Vassar (Dec. 13), Tab Benoit with Samantha Fish (Dec. 17), Riders In The Sky (Dec. 20) and two shows with The One and Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to ring in the New Year (12/31).

The Franklin Theatre also features a lineup of classic Christmas films.  Working with radio partners Mix 92.9 and 96.3 JACKfm, classics and favorites such as It’s A Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34^th Street and Polar Express present a uniquely Franklin experience in the recently restored theater.

LIVE EVENT DATES

12/5            The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
12/12          Suzy Bogguss’ Swinging’ Little Christmas
12/13          Phil Vassar Christmas Show
12/17          Tab Benoit with Samantha Fish
12/20          Riders In The Sky: Christmas The Cowboy Way
12/31          The Only and Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra – 6:00 and 9:30 PM

MOVIE DATES

11/28-12/3   Home Alone
11/28-12/7   Christmas Vacation
12/7-9          Polar Express
12/7-10        Miracle On 34^th Street
12/13-20      Elf
12/21-25      White Christmas
12/23-25      It’s A Wonderful Life

TICKETS
Tickets for all shows are available by calling the Franklin Theatre box office at 615-538-2076 or online at www.franklintheatre.com.  Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged due to holiday demand.

GIFT CARDS

Available in any denomination and valid for any theatre event or concessions, Franklin Theatre gift cards are available to purchase at the box office (in person) or by calling (615) 538-2076.

PRIVATE HOLIDAY PARTIES

Plan a group outing and rent the Franklin Theatre’s 44-seat balcony for scheduled movies and concerts (based on availability) by calling 615-538-2083. No additional fees are associated with balcony rentals for pre-existing events. Balcony rentals include the second floor private lounge area and restrooms.

FRANKLIN, TN – With the goal of shining a light on one of the most pivotal events in the city’s storied history, the Franklin Theatre announced several special presentations for November to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Battle of Franklin.
 
The events kick off with Robert Lee Hodge’s Emmy Award-winning documentary The Battle of Franklinon Sunday, Nov. 2.  Preservationist and New York Times best-selling author Robert Hicks presents his A Guitar And A Pen radio show on Nov. 13 followed by Seeds for The Garden on Nov. 14, a benefit for the Carter Hill Garden Park.  The concert features Alison Brown, Claire Lynch, John Cowan and Forrest O’Connor.
 
The final event is a star-studded musical showcase on Nov. 28 of The 1861 Project’s third volume: The Battle of Franklin. Artists slated to appear include Bobby Bare, Kim Richey, Maura O’Connell, Sierra Hull and more.  The music includes songs inspired by actual events surrounding the Battle of Franklin in 1864.
 
“It’s important for us to observe and reflect on the significance of this defining time for our community and let live music and film draw on the stories and emotions that help us relate to our history,” says Franklin Theatre Executive Director Dan Hays.
 
Tickets for all events are available by calling the Franklin Theatre box office at (615) 538-2076 or online at www.franklintheatre.com. Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged due to high demand.
 
SCHEDULE

• Sun, 11/2    The Battle of Franklin  (film)
• Thur, 11/13 A Guitar And A Pen (radio show with Robert Hicks)
• Fri, 11/14     Seeds for The Garden (music with Alison Brown, Claire Lynch, John Cowan and Forrest O’Connor)
• Fri, 11/28     The 1861 Project (music with Bobby Bare, Kim Richey, Maura O’Connell, Sierra Hull and more)

 
For further information, contact:
Brian Solomon
brian@franklintheatre.com
615-538-2079

MARCIA BALL CELEBRATES NEW RELEASE WITH PERFORMANCE IN FRANKLIN!

“Rollicking roadhouse rave-ups and soulful Gulf Coast R&B.” –USA Today

Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist/vocalist/songwriter Marcia Ball celebrates the release of her new Alligator Records CD, THE TATTOOED LADY AND THE ALLIGATOR MAN, with a live performance on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at The Franklin Theatre in Franklin. Ball’s groove-laden New Orleans R&B, heart-wrenching ballads and driving Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite of music fans everywhere. Her music mixes equal parts simmering soul fervor and rollicking Crescent City piano. THE TATTOOED LADY AND THE ALLIGATOR MAN is her sixth release for Alligator. Four of her previous five releases received Grammy Award nominations. Ball received the 2012 Blues Music Award (BMA) for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Of The Year. She has now won a total of nine BMAs and has received a whopping 42 nominations. Ball received a 2014 Living Blues Readers’ Poll Award for Most Outstanding
Musician (Keyboard) and now holds seven Living Blues Awards in all. She was inducted into the Gulf Coast Hall of Fame in 2010 and into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Concert information is as follows:

Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014
Venue: The Franklin Theatre
Address: 419 Main Street
City: Franklin, TN
Phone: 615-538-2076
Showtime: 8:00pm
Ticket price: $35 classic / $40 balcony / $45 cabaret
Website: www.franklintheatre.com
*Also appearing: Gary Nicholson
*Cabaret tickets include an exclusive VIP meet and greet with Marcia Ball

Please click on the link to access digital press kit (bio, full album stream):
www.soundcloud.com/alligator-recs/sets/mb-ttlatam/s-7Jkaw
*Please do not publish or distribute this link.

Marcia Ball has earned worldwide fame for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she strolls onto the stage. Her groove-laden New Orleans boogie, deeply soulful ballads and rollicking Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music fans all over the world.

On THE TATTOOED LADY AND THE ALLIGATOR MAN, Ball draws listeners deep into her music with instantly memorable melodies and imaginative imagery. Her songs paint vibrant musical pictures, richly detailed with characters, flavors and scenes straight out of Louisiana and Texas. With raucous horns punctuating Ball’s legendary piano pounding and emotional, melodic vocals, the new CD mixes Ball’s New Orleans R&B, swampy Louisiana ballads, and jumping, Tex-Mex flavored zydeco into a one-of-a-kind musical gumbo, a sound she has been perfecting over the course of her four-decade career.

From the poignant Just Keep Holding On to the fresh start of Clean My House to the surprising and timely The Squeeze Is On to the southern warmth of Human Kindness, Ball has delivered a set of songs so well written and so well performed, she’ll astound and delight her longtime fans and give newcomers plenty of reasons to join the party. Featuring her stellar, road-tested touring band, with help from friends Delbert McClinton and Terrance Simien and production by Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Joe Louis Walker, James Cotton, Susan Tedeschi), THE TATTOOED LADY AND THE ALLIGATOR MAN is happy, moving, joyful, stirring, thought-provoking, danceable and fun.

After a 1978 solo LP for Capitol and a successful series of releases on Rounder, Ball joined the Alligator Records family in 2001 with the release of the critically acclaimed Presumed Innocent. The CD took home the 2002 Blues Music Award for Blues Album Of The Year. 2004’s So Many Rivers, 2005’s Live! Down The Road, 2008’s Peace, Love & BBQ and 2011’s Roadside Attractions all received Grammy Award nominations as well as critical and popular acclaim.

The New York Times says, “Marcia Ball plays two-fisted New Orleans barrelhouse piano and sings in a husky, knowing voice about all the trouble men and women can get into on the way to a good time.” Living Blues declares, “Her originals sound like timeless classics and southern soul masterpieces that no one else can imitate.” Of the new album, Ball says, “I don’t make a record until I have something to say, stories to tell, messages to impart. I try to make records that are true to me,” she continues, “and this one couldn’t be truer.”

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Thursday, September 4th at the Franklin Theatre

Franklin, TN — On Thursday, September 4^th Exile returns to the Franklin Theatre to benefit SAFPAW and release the live DVD and album that was recorded at the Theatre last year during their 50^th anniversary tour.

Exile has notched 11 number ones and a host of top 10’s hits through the years including: “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance,” “She’s A Miracle,” “Crazy For Your Love,” “Hang On To Your Heart,” “I Could Get Used To You,” “It’ll Be Me,” “She’s Too Good To be True” and “I Can’t Get Close Enough.” With three gold albums, two Greatest Hits CDs, several multi-platinum singles and thirteen award nominations from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA), the band has solidified its reputation in the world of country music.

SAFPAW is the Southern Alliance for People and Animal Welfare (SAFPAW), a non-profit organization in middle Tennessee helping the homeless community face the daily challenges of living in poverty with their pets.

The Franklin Theatre encourages fans to celebrate new music from an iconic group and help raise awareness and financial resources for a remarkable organization. During the event SAFPAW will be conducting auction activities for some special one-of-a-kind items during the evening.

Tickets ($30-$35) are on sale to the public at the Franklin Theatre box office (419 Main Street, Franklin, TN), online at www.franklintheatre.com/tickets/music/ or by calling 615-538-2076.

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June 9, 10, 11 at Franklin Theatre

Franklin, TN – Sheryl Crow has enlisted an “A-list” roster to join her in concert next week at the historic Franklin Theatre to benefit New Hope Academy. Several friends – including Brad Paisley, Amy Grant, Darius Rucker, Eric Pasley and Charlie Worsham – were recently announced to join Ms. Crow on successive nights.

June 9th – Darius Rucker

June 10th  – Brad Paisley and Charlie Worsham

June 11th  – Amy Grant and Eric Paslay

“It’s amazing to live in a community with so many creative people that support one another. We’re blessed to have an institution like New Hope Academy dedicated to providing extraordinary educational opportunities while including a diverse student base, including the underprivileged,” says Ms. Crow. “These shows are one way I contribute personally and also invite my fans to help foster their success.”

New Hope is a unique non-profit school in Franklin promising an excellent, classical education with a special mission for the underprivileged. This is Ms. Crowe’s third series of shows to help raise resources and awareness for the school.

Crow has released eight studio albums with sales in excess of 35 million around the world. She has performed duets with a diverse list of luminaries such as Sting, Loretta Lynn and Mick Jagger and her most recent album, Feels Like Home, captures the sound of a great and established artist enjoying a kind of fresh start. It features songs on which Crow collaborated with her longtime guitar player and frequent co-writer Jeff Trott (with whom she co-wrote such past Crow classics as “If It Makes You Happy,” “My Favorite Mistake” and “Every Day Is A Winding Road”), as well as great Nashville songwriters such as Chris DuBois, Luke Laird, Natalie Hamby and Chris Stapleton, among others. Crow now counts a Top 20 solo country single to her long list of accolades and her current single, “Callin’ Me When I’m Lonely,” is Top 40 and climbing.

Sheryl has expanded her talents with film and television appearances, as a book author and, most important, as mother of two sons (Wyatt and Levi). Her family now makes their home in the Franklin area.

Tickets ($125 and up) are on sale to the public at the Franklin Theatre box office (419 Main Street, Franklin, TN), online at www.franklintheatre.com/tickets/music/ or by calling 615-538-2076.

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For additional information contact:

Brian Solomon, Franklin Theatre Marketing & Public Relations

615-538-2079

brian@franklintheatre.com