A musically diverse CD based on alternative rock spiced with Alt. country, blues and folk influences.

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Roots Rock, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
Craig is an Austin, TX based songwriter.

Craig Franklin grew up in Collinsville, IL, a medium size town about 20 miles east of St.Louis, MO. His biggest influence in music early on came from what his family was listening to. This ranged from Motown soul and R&B, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Guess Who, Rare Earth, Slade, Rolling Stones, Montrose, Foghat,RUSH, UFO,etc.

Always fascinated by the guitar, Craig formed a garage-band in high school (1976-'78) with some friends including, Michael Stipe of R.E.M. "I remember playing two songs for the high school talent show, "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones and "Working Man" by Rush. It was fun. "

Fast forward to 2005. Craig puts together a group of original songs written over the last few years and creates an album, "Confessions of a Frequent Flyer". The title comes from the fact that many of the songs were written in airplanes during many trips abroad and that he had these hidden songs, or "confessions", which had to be released.

" There were over 50 songs, I wrote and recorded in my project studio and about 50 more I never wrote chords to, just sitting there. I took about 15 of them and went into the studio".

CHOOSING THE SONGS FOR THE RECORD:
"I chose songs that could be cohesive to form a record with some sort of feel, although each was very unique, they seemed to have a fine thread that brought it all together".

"Jimmy George, a prolific Austin musician, introduced me to owners of Lava Studios in Austin, TX and I got together a group of musicians and we made, what many have said, is a solid and interesting record.

It took a lot more effort, time and money than I had expected, but I am glad I was able to go through that process".

"When people ask me why I did it, I answer that it was to go through the process of making a record"

"So far, the reviews have been very positive and that is encouraging."


In addition to writing all of the songs for "Confessions of a Frequent Flyer", Craig sang and played acoustic guitar and mandolin.

Craig also plays bass and electric guitars during sessions at his Project Studio.

For the "Confessions" CD there were many additional players and instruments:
KEITH HAAS-
Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Harmonica, BG Vocals, bass guitar
JIMMY GEORGE -
Rhythm & Lead Guitars, "mouth trumpet/trombone", BG Vocals and vocal arrangements
JEF FLEMING -
Electric Fretless Bass
SCOTT REHLING -
Hammond C3 and Wurlitzer Keyboards, BG Vocals
KRISTINA KOPRIVA -
Violin
KEVIN PEARSON -
Drums
JING FRANKLIN -
Background Vocals
JOHNNY BIG -
Bass guitar on Oyster World, BG Vocals
BRYAN ANDERTON-
Rhythm & Lead Guitars on "In the Middle of the Night"
MO PAIR -
Recorder Flutes
JOHN MCJUNKIN -
Baritone BG Vocals