A centennial worth celebrating just got its soundtrack. Randall Franks, the award-winning bluegrass and Americana fiddler, actor, and International Bluegrass Music Museum Legend, has released “Down Yonder Too,” the debut single from the forthcoming charity album ‘A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs.’ The track marks 100 years since The Skillet Lickers, Georgia’s pioneering fiddle band, formed in 1926, and it honors Doodle and the Golden River Grass, one of the last traditional fiddle bands of country music’s early era.
The single brings serious firepower to a historic moment. Dom Flemons, Jim Lauderdale, Ketch Secor, and Paul Puckett all appear alongside Franks, with fiddle, harmonica, banjo, jug, and layered vocals woven through a fresh interpretation of The Skillet Lickers’ multi-million-selling classic “Down Yonder.” Archival elements sit alongside contemporary performances, and the result bridges Appalachian string band tradition with the energy of artists who clearly love this music.
“Down Yonder Too” is joyful, deeply rooted, and built with real reverence for what came before it. Franks puts it plainly: “This project is about preserving the soul of Appalachian music and ensuring its future.” The Tanner family legacy runs through the track too, with third-generation member Phil Tanner and fourth-generation member Russ Tanner both contributing.
The full album features an extraordinary roster of contributors, all donating their talents to support the Share America Foundation’s scholarships for aspiring Appalachian musicians, and the West Georgia Museum’s historical preservation work. Franks is also directing an accompanying documentary drawing on archival footage, interviews, and performances tied to Doodle and the Golden River Grass, including their appearances at the 1982 World’s Fair and PBS specials.