American big band leader, songwriter, arranger and violinist.
Franklin started as a boy violin prodigy. At the age of 14 he wrote and directed his own symphony. Soon after he became musical director for RKO and WLW, and had an all-girl and a rumba (native) band. He composed several published songs and arranged much of what his band played. He also wrote a book on the theory of music.
His musical career was interrupted twice by tours of duty.
His orchestra most often played in Chicago, Illinois at the Aragon Ballroom and the Ches Paree. But he also played at the Peabody Hotel, Memphis; Muchlebach Hotel, Kansas City, Mo., and Elitch's Gardens, Denver, building an enthusiastic and growing audience with his band.
His band also played the Coca-Cola Band Light Parade program. In addition to his own violin playing he featured the Sweethearts of the Strings, three girl violinists; the vocals of Harriet Collins and Eddie Allyn and the comedy of Milt Burns.