His band work Somnia Mortem was named a finalist in the ATSSB Composition Competition and has been championed beautifully by David Holsinger since 2013. He has been commissioned numerous works (20 since 2011 and counting) for a wide variety of ensembles, most recently Rose Made Man, a One-Act Opera, Hymn for band, and four works for the Pakistani/American fusion group Sangat! (Moon of the 15th, Sangat, Morning, and Sun of the 10th) which completed their tour across the world in 2018. Franklin’s most recent projects include: an exciting collaboration with the American Indian jazz fusion group DDAT, recently featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, composing an original work for the group in conjunction with the Sonoma State University Orchestra; and an arrangement of Billy Joel’s “Lullabye” commissioned by Pano Mata and the 2021-22 Region 1 All-Region Symphonic Band.

As a lifelong educator and advocate of music education, Franklin has served as Director of Bands and Orchestras at East Austin College Prep in Austin, TX (grades 6-12) from 2016-2018 and is currently serving as Director of Bands at Floydada Collegiate ISD since 2019. In 2016 he was Guest Lecturer and Composer in Residence at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi, Pakistan, where he taught courses in Music Theory, Music Composition, and Music Technology. Franklin also serves as Adjunct Faculty for South Plains College, teaching Dual Credit Music Appreciation as part of Floydada Collegiate High School’s goal to achieve 70% of their graduates earning an Associates Degree or Vocational Certification upon graduation. Franklin has additionally served in teaching and coaching roles for Theatre Productions, UIL One Act Play, and UIL Speech and Debate.

As a passionate conductor, he seizes any opportunity to collaborate with groups of all varieties. He has led the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, the Muleshoe High School Band, the Moody High School Band, the Sudan High School Band, and the Lubbock Concert Band in clinics and concerts. He has also been graced with guest academic appearances with the University of Texas Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony. He has frequently conducted chamber ensembles for official recording sessions at the University of Texas at Austin. Recently, Franklin held Directorship positions with The Lonestar Brass Orchestra and the East Austin College Prep Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra.

As a performer he has played as the principal tubist for the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony from 2008 to 2013; performed in a variety of wind ensembles in New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Ireland, and Pakistan; in addition to a number of solo and chamber recitals. In 2009 Franklin established The Greyhound Brass, an autonomous student-run brass quintet based in the Eastern New Mexico/West Texas area devoted to performing quality brass chamber music for the surrounding schools and communities. He has performed regularly with the University of Texas Middle Eastern Ensemble, the University of Texas Hispanic/Caribbean Ensemble, and the Cedar Park Winds. In March of 2019 Franklin performed with the Pakistani/American fusion group Sangat! at SXSW in Austin, Texas. He continues to perform with Sangat! touring internationally, as well as the Gospel Brass, Lubbock Concert Band, and Westwinds Brass Band.

As a professional audio and video recording engineer and producer, Franklin has had the immense fortune to work with and for some of the greatest musicians, organizations, and projects of this age. He has recorded such groups and soloists as the Miró Quartet, the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, Spinal Tap, the Cordova Quartet, Anton Nel, Hear No Evil, Time for Three, and the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra. Recording projects under his direction have been numerous and include the Austin Chamber Music Festival’s 2015 season, University Interscholastic League (UIL) concert and jazz festivals, and private sessions for up-and-coming composers and artists in the field. Recently he had the pleasure of collaborating on the official recording sessions for Donald Grantham’s War Prayer, Charles Hoag’s Concerto Marais de Cygnes, Andrew Boss’ Telestai, the UT Wind Ensemble’s live performance of John Mackey’s Wine Dark Sea, and the world premiere of Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Trombone featuring Joe Alessi. Franklin worked as an Audio/Video Recording Engineer with the University of Texas at Austin Recording Studio for five years.

Franklin has had the great honor of membership in the National Band Association and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandsmen, which he served as Chapter President for numerous years in both. Franklin is also an active member of the Association for Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB), the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Franklin loves Batman, tennis, and painting, though he has yet to paint Batman playing tennis. He lives in Floydada, TX with his spouse, Alex, and their two dogs King and Nakia.