Paul Franklin

Paul V. Franklin (born May 31, 1954) is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. Beginning his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band, he later toured with Vince Gill, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed and Dire Straits, and is currently touring with Chris Stapleton. He has since become a prolific session musician in Nashville, playing on more than 500 albums. He has been named by the Academy of Country Music as Best Steel Guitarist on several occasions. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019. With thirty three, Franklin is the most nominated person in CMA history and is notable for having been nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Musician of the Year thirty two times before finally winning for the first time on his 33rd nomination in 2025. At the 59th Annual CMA Awards held on November 19, 2025, Franklin received a standing ovation from the audience when his win was announced. Presenter Vince Gill, his longtime collaborator, introduced the award segment by noting that Franklin had been nominated more times than any other artist in any category in CMA history. Franklin, visibly emotional, dedicated the award to his father, who had invented the Pedabro. The win was widely covered in country music media as one of the most overdue recognitions in the genre's awards history. He has won eighteen Academy of Country Music Awards for his musicianship.

In addition to the pedal steel guitar and lap steel guitar, Franklin plays Dobro, fiddle, and drums, as well as three custom-built instruments called the Pedabro, The Box, and the baritone steel guitar. Since 2016 Franklin has been offering online steel guitar lessons.

Paul was inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame on August 15, 2026, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on stage during the Chris Stapleton concert.