Paul Franklin Is New Time Jumper

1/22/2008 Stephen L. Betts At their regular Monday night show at Nashville’s Station Inn, the Grammy-nominated Time Jumpers announced that steel player extraordinaire Paul Franklin is joining as the group’s newest member. The November death of the Time Jumpers’ steel player, John Hughey, was a significant loss for the music community, and a deeply personal one for the other members of the group. It was also a personal loss for Paul. “I've known John since the late '60s,” he says. “He was an original musician, and Nashville lost a great man in his passing.  I'm proud that he was also my friend.” Based in Nashville since the early 1970s, Paul Franklin is widely regarded as one of the top session players in the industry, working with the likes of Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), George Strait, Alan Jackson, Barbra Streisand and Shania Twain. “I love playing swing music and was completely honored when I was asked to join the Time Jumpers," says Franklin.  "I would never try to fill another man's shoes, especially John Hughey's. I'll always miss him. Hopefully the fans will accept my version of pedal steel guitar.”