Accompanying himself on the guitar and occasionally on the Celtic drum called the bodhran, Frank – though hardly a strict traditionalist – embodies many of the traditions of the ancient bards, but with a more contemporary twist. His performances are presented with aplomb, grace and good humor. Interspersed with varied insights into the background of the songs are stories, jokes and toasts, so that his appearances are informative as well as entertaining. His business card and stationary read “...
Accompanying himself on the guitar and occasionally on the Celtic drum called the bodhran, Frank – though hardly a strict traditionalist – embodies many of the traditions of the ancient bards, but with a more contemporary twist. His performances are presented with aplomb, grace and good humor. Interspersed with varied insights into the background of the songs are stories, jokes and toasts, so that his appearances are informative as well as entertaining. His business card and stationary read “Music &c.” This means that he is much more than a songster. He entertains!
Although a good amount of his material is in the Irish mould, he also embraces Scottish, Canadian, American, Australian and even British cultures. He runs the gamut from humorous to soulful. In addition is the author/composer of a number of popular pub songs as well as patriotic pieces in honor of Ireland and the United States – which he performs regularly.
His material is rendered in a rich baritone that is eminently understandable. Because of this, he has been in demand as a voiceover actor for commercials and narrations. His performances are bolstered by a refined sense of comic and dramatic timing developed through his experiences on the folk circuit, in front of a classroom, in the theater and in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Performing professionally since 1972, Frank has had nine record albums produced, which reviewers have characterized variously as “eclectic”, “highly entertaining”, and “this CD seldom leaves my player”. In addition, he has performed on the recordings of numerous friends and associates in the business.
In 2000, he collaborated with Harry O’Donoghue and Carroll Brown on the highly successful “A Christmas Postcard” – from which they fashioned a touring Christmas show.
In 2001, he wrote and recorded “The Flag of Our Fathers”, which was picked up by The American Legion as a sound track to a film they were producing.
In 2002, he and Bob Slaughter a Veteran of Omaha Beach on D-Day, pooled their talents to write and have Frank record “A New Dawn Forever” – to benefit the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. The song was used in the soundtrack of a documentary shown on international television for the 60th anniversary of D-Day called “The Long March of Bob Slaughter”.
In 2003, Frank received awards from American Legion Post 36 and from The Veterans Council of Chatham County, Georgia in appreciation of his patriotic compositions and performances.
In 2005, he received an award of appreciation in recognition of his continued support for the veterans of Chatham County, Georgia from the Lt. Gen. John N. McLaughlin Post #1943 of the Catholic War Veterans.
In 2006, Frank's patriotic song "One Nation United" received the Directors' Award in the Nashville International Spring Song and Lyric Contest.
For the same song, Frank was named Golden Patriotic Writer for 2006 by the Entertainer Indi Association.
Dublin is a long time past, and he has resided in the States for a considerable length of time. Since 1986, Frank has made his home - when he is not on the road – over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwestern Virginia. He is author and narrator of the audio, A Walking Tour of Historic Wytheville, Virginia. He is the co-author of the booklet, Wythe County Virginia During the War Between the States. He is currently is doing some freelance writing while also working on a book dealing with the Confederate raid on St. Albans, Vermont in 1864, a monograph on the war time experiences and letters of Captain Wythe B. Graham, CSA.
He is co-author of a collaborative anthology of short stories, CLEAN CABBAGE IN THE BUCKET And Other Tales From the Irish Music Trenches ,published in 2007, detailing reminiscences of the past 30-odd years on the Irish music scene. In addition, he is the researcher/essayist for Apples of Gold as well as copywriter for Events in the City and CM Designs. Examples of his work can be seen at www.ifreelance.com/pro/4448.
Until its dissolution, Frank managed the Cedar Run Artisans Center – affiliated with Round The Mountain, The Southwest Virginia Artisan Network – in Wytheville, Virginia.
His open personality and ready smile translate easily on and off the boards. It is obvious to any audience that he treasures being able to do what he does for a living. He respects his stock in trade and he respects his audience.
femerson@embarqmail.com
790 E. Spiller Street
Wytheville, Virginia 24382
276-228-6726
cell- 276-613-0598
fax- 509-562-8833
www.frankemerson.com
www.ifreelance.com/pro/4448
show more...
