Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Franklin.
Hi Ron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area and took an early interest in music – especially guitar. I made an album as a senior in High School that included six original songs and has since become a rare collector’s item. After playing in a successful band called Buckeye Biscuit, I went to the music conservatory at Baldwin-Wallace University and got a bachelors degree in Classical Guitar. I went to graduate school at Texas Tech University where I earned a master of music degree. I taught at colleges in Lubbock and Midland, Texas before moving to Los Angeles in 1986 to get into the music and sound business in Hollywood. After I short time i was working in studios in Los Angeles and became sound and music editor for several shows including the animated Fraggle Rock and the 1990’s version of the Zorro series on the Family Channel.
This was during the era when audio production was shifting from analog tape-based systems to computers and hard drives. I was one the first to edit an episodic TV series (Zorro) on a computer. Within a short time, I was approached to by a company that sold and marketed digital audio workstations, to come work as their representative. This began a journey over the next 20 years of working in senior management roles for companies in the professional digital audio/video world. I traveled to 57 cities in 13 countries, traveling to trade shows, standards committee meetings, client demonstration and dealer trainings.
I went on a whirlwind tour of American cities with my family as we moved from Texas to Los Angeles, then back to Texas – this time Fort Worth, Then Boston (Avid Technology) and Philadelphia before finally landing in San Diego in 1995.
In my time here in San Diego, I continued to work in the high end digital media business up to 2007. I then once again pursued my musical interests, began playing music in various venues, and started a video production company. We completed several DVD projects as well as produced a TV series called The Good Food Factory for Cox Cable. We won an Emmy award for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming.
I taught music and sound technology for several years at the Art Institute of San Diego. In 2023 my song “Peace Starts With Me” was chosen as the Official Peace Ballad of the International Peace Festival in Toronto. I currently live in Rancho Bernardo with my wife and two kitties and teach Guitar and Ukulele classes for the San Diego College of Continuing Education.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with most people, there have been ups and downs. I’ve been hired, fired and been both the hero and the disappointment in different roles. One thing I learned is that often, when one door closes, another opens and may lead to an even brighter future.
Right out of graduate school, after receiving my Master’s Degree in Music, I got a job at the University of Akron teaching guitar. I thought this was going to be it – a life as a college music teacher in Ohio, near my family and where I grew up.It was perfect, except after the first year, they threw the job open and another teacher got it.
Looking back on it several years later when I was traveling the world selling and training dealers on high end digital audio/video systems, I thought about the fellow who got that college guitar teaching job. He was still there, grinding out lessons in a little room while I was out traveling the world on an expense account. In retrospect, losing that job was a blessing.
Any time a roadblock appears, I try to view it as stepping stone to something greater rather than an obstacle and keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have always enjoyed performing and composing music and songs. The album I made in High School (released as a vinyl LP) called “Autumn to May” by Franklin & Hayes has become a rare collector’s item. I’ve seen it advertised on eBay for as much as $600!
I have two albums of Guitar Music on Spotify and other streaming services. The album Opening Doors is all classical guitar music and the other album Mysterious Deep is my original compositions for solo guitar. I am currently working on an album of original songs called “I Came Here to Fly”.
I have composed music for several other projects, including 15 original songs for the Emmy-winning TV show “The Good Food Factory”. I also wrote music and songs for the DVD “Whale Yoga with Jodi Komitor, distributed by Gaiam.
I am currently in the process of releasing a non-fiction book called “15 Minute Reality Reset” which describes a method and practices for aligning with your highest self and manifesting your dreams. The book will be released in September of this year. The book and album are also in support of my work as a motivational speaker who combines speaking with music for a unique “Keynote Concert’ experience.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What has always worked for me is gaining proximity to people and organizations who are already doing what I wanted to do. Learn everything you can about your area of expertise, so when the opportunity presents itself you are ready.
Organizations like Toastmasters, meetup groups, open mics for musicians, trade shows – all of these are ways to connect with like-minded people.
Keep in mind that people will always remember how you made them feel. If you leave a positive impression, it may come back to your benefit in unexpected ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://my.linkpod.site/RonFranklin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronaldwaynefranklin/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronfranklin/
Image Credits
Photographs by Ron Franklin/Lencsi Angel
