Paul Franklin Interview: Becoming The Pedal Steel Guitar Icon

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Pedal Steel possibilities
00:59 - Detroit influence
01:26 - Eyes on Nashville
02:06 - Hawaiian teacher
02:56 - Country vs. Americana
03:33 - "Hey kid, have you tried that?"
04:37 - Pete Drake
05:53 - First Pedabro sessions
06:59 - Touring with Mark Knopfler
07:15 - Phone call from Chet Atkins
07:56 - Pedabro
08:50 - D'Addario NYXL Strings
10:27 - Paul Franklin Signature Picks
14:32 - The D'Addario difference

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[lancedsouza]

There is only ONE Paul Franklin ! ♥ Legend of the Pedal Steel !

[douglasdegraff]

I Love listening to Paul on Dire Straits last studio album,

[moushunter]

About 12 years ago I got to sit in the first row of a New Riders Of The Purple Sage show about 3 feet from Buddy Cage. I'd been a fan of the band from their beginning in the early 70s and had seen them a dozen times before that show. I was mesmerized by the sounds he got out of his pedal steel. He made it look so effortless. I met him after the show and had a great 20 minute conversation with him about how he got started playing. He was such a nice person.

[RobertAndrew]

National treasure. Nicely done, D’Addario.

[mikeadams]

I saw Paul play live with Chris Stapleton a few years ago. He was amazing. That sound is so powerful

[picker]

One of the greatest most recorded steel guitar players in the world.paul is a treasure and a warm wonderful human being.

[stephenleal]

Great interview! I just purchased them finger picks. Looking forward to trying them!

[derbyd]

I’ve been studying Paul’s playing since I started on pedalsteel. As a student, his personal instruction has been invaluable and his advice and feedback is always supportive.
By the way your strings, picks and cables are top of the line.

[AldenoSteel]

Love seeing a big company make some steel content! Paul’s new picks are for sure an upgrade over the standard NP-2’s that everyone’s used for years.

[SeeCSeesCC]

❤ now that is touch and tone personified

[anitadavideduo]

It was a great great pleasure to play with Paul in Nashville! And with great Benado pedals too❤

[LasseLloyd]

Paul Franklin, a great musician, and a great person.

[superdavesguitarparty]

I already use the NYXLs, now I’m going with the PF picks. Just ordered some. Thanks guys!

[handle]

The first time I heard Paul was with Dire Straits in the ‘90’s. He brought a completely new sound to that band. Listen to a live version of ‘On Every Street’, his final solo is mind blowing!!❤

[davidLPST]

came across Paul when he played with Mark, great video and nice to hear his story and experiences. Awesome

[jasondunklesteelguitar]

Paul mentored me personally for 3 years. I was the very FIRST student of his course, The Paul Franklin Method. Paul got me backstage to meet Vince Gill twice! He taught me so much! Was this filmed at Paul’s house?

[JamesEddie-eccn]

I had the pleasure of eating dinner at the Texas Steel Guitar Convention a few years ago and he was the nicest steel player on earth. there are many great steel players from the past but the two most open players are Paul and Lloyd Green . They will share anything you want to learn and be happy to explain. I have also spent time with Green and Mooney who both talked for a while with me. Of course Reese Anderson and Junior Knight, The best Texas players alive and Master Builders
At building the Best Guitars on Earth, MSA PEDAL STEELS ANDBUD CARTER WAS THE MASTER AT BUILDING MSA. BUD CARTER BUILT MY VERY FIRST PROFESSIONAL STEEL 50 YEARS AGO AND IT STILL PLAYS LIKE A NEW ONE. THOSE BOYS AT MSA ARE ALL THE BEST BUILDERS I THINK OF ANY PEDAL STEEL BACK TO PAUL, THE BEST PLAYER TODAY, BEST TEACHER TODAY AND ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS IN THE PAUL FOR HAVING DINNER WITH ME.

[NavelOrangeGazer]

Judy Collins - "Someday Soon" (Buddy Emmons)
The Byrds - "You Aint Goin Nowhere" (Lloyd Green)
Vince Gill - "When I Call Your Name (Paul Franklin)
Buck Owens - "Together Again" (Tom Brumley)
Vince Gill - "Look at Us" (John Hughey)
Son Volt - "Creosote" (Eric Haywood)
The Flying Burrito Brothers - "Christine's Tune" (Sneaky Pete)
Grateful Dead - "Dire Wolf" (Jerry Garcia)

Its a beautiful instrument, thanks for giving it some exposure D'addario.

[jeffgalperin]

No one has ever looked this cool playing pedal steel. What a mensch. 0:36

[apostlepaul]

Paul makes it sound like what he's doing is so easy, but he seems to underestimate his genius. His dad and brother Brian are also geniuses. :)