Fran Smith Jr.

Fran Smith Jr.
Fran Smith Jr. at The Spectrum
Background information
Born	(1952-07-17) July 17, 1952 (age 69) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, Producer
Instruments	Bass
Years active	1978-present
Associated acts	The Hooters

Fran Smith Jr. is an American bass guitarist and vocalist, best known for his 30-year gig with the Philadelphia-based rock group The Hooters. Smith has also maintained a career as a recording artist in his own right, as well as a producer for other artists.^[1]

Smith has toured as Paul McCartney in Beatlemania, a celebration of The Beatles. He also played the part of Carlo Cannoli in Tony and Tina’s Wedding, a long running off-Broadway comedy. From his own recording studio he has produced many successful projects for artists such as Joe Piscopo and Flo & Eddie of The Turtles.^[1]

In 1995, Smith released the solo CD For No Apparent Reason, as Rory Kunkle.^[1]

In 2005, he released Man Meets Machine, Fran Smith Jr and the Ten Cent Millionaires

In 2016, he released Mystic County on his son Graham Alexander's Odeon label.^[2]

Discography[]

• Johnny's Dance Band – Love Wounds, Flesh Wounds (1978 – Windsong Records) (Vinyl Only – No CD)^{[verification needed]}
• Nan Mancini & JDB – It's A Man's World (1979 – Windsong Records) (Vinyl Only – No CD)^{[verification needed]}
• The Hooters – Zig Zag (1989 – Columbia Records)^[3]
• Roger Waters ("The Wall") Live in Berlin -- (July 21, 1990)
• The Hooters – Out Of Body (1993 – MCA Records)^[3]
• The Hooters – Live! In Germany (1994 – MCA Records) (European Only CD Release)^[3]
• Rory Kunkle (Fran Smith Jr.) – For No Apparent Reason (1995)^[4]
• Largo – Largo (1998) – Mercury Records^{[verification needed]}
• "Beyond the Palace", chapter reference dedicated to Fran Smith Jr., -- (author, Gary Wein -- release date May, 2003)
• Fran Smith Jr. & The Ten Cent Millionaires – Man Meets Machine (2005)^[4]
• The Hooters – Time Stand Still (Neo Records – 2007 European Release)
  (Megaforce / MRI Associated Labels – 2008 USA Release)^[3]
• The Hooters – Five By Five (Neo Records -2010 Release)
• Fran Smith Jr – Mystic County 2016^[2]
• "The Goldbergs" series, appearance on the episode entitled, "The Hooters" -- (original air date January 17, 2018)

*The Hooters were also honored with induction to The Philadelphia "Walk of Fame" -- (October 23, 2019)

Other contributions[]

• Blake Thompson – Blake Thompson (5 Song CD EP) (1990) TC Records – (Fran Smith Jr. – Bass Guitar)^{[verification needed]}
• Glen Burtnik – Palookaville (1996) Deko Records (Fran Smith Jr. – Background Vocals)^{[verification needed]}
• Orange & Black – Baldwin Drive (2008) Zip Records (Fran Smith Jr. – Bass)^{[verification needed]}
• Scott Philipp – Just Another Day (2008) Joint Chiefs Records (Fran Smith Jr. – Adviser to Craig Simon producer)^{[verification needed]}
• Craig Simon and the vintage "The test of time" (2012) Fran Smith Jr. Bass
• Smash Palace, Extended Play, Live from the Auction House
• Dar Williams – Emerald
• David Uosikkinen – In The Pocket-Sessions, In The Pocket Live
• Graham Alexander – Repeat Deceiver, Graham Alexander
• TJ Tindall – TJ Tindall's East Coast
• Clayton West
• Livvie Forbes – CHRONIC 2016

References[]