{{Short description|American rock musician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{for|the American sports executive|Fran Smith (publicist)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Fran Smith Jr. | image = 2022 Lieder am See - The Hooters - Fran Smith Jr - by 2eight - 9SC5337.jpg | caption = Smith performing with The Hooters in 2022. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|07|17}} | birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | instrument = Bass, vocals | genre = Rock | occupation = Musician, record producer | years_active = 1978–present | associated_acts = The Hooters | website = }} '''Fran Smith Jr.''' (born July 17, 1952) is an American bass guitarist and vocalist, best known for his 30-year gig with the Philadelphia-based rock group The Hooters. Smith has also maintained a career as a recording artist in his own right, as well as a producer for other artists.<ref name="FranSmithJrBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.fransmithjr.net/bio.html|title=Fran Smith Jr.net (biography)|date=November 2, 2009|accessdate=December 28, 2010|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109180257/http://www.fransmithjr.net/bio.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Smith has toured as Paul McCartney in ''Beatlemania'', a celebration of The Beatles. He also played the part of Carlo Cannoli in ''Tony and Tina's Wedding'', a long running off-Broadway comedy. From his own recording studio he has produced many successful projects for artists such as Joe Piscopo and Flo & Eddie of The Turtles.<ref name=FranSmithJrBio /> [[File:Franssmith.jpg|thumb|Fran Smith Jr. at The Spectrum]] In 1995, Smith released the solo CD ''For No Apparent Reason'', as Rory Kunkle.<ref name=FranSmithJrBio />
In 2005, he released ''Man Meets Machine'', Fran Smith Jr and the Ten Cent Millionaires
In 2016, he released ''Mystic County'' on his son Graham Alexander's Odeon label.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/Music-impresario-has--found-the-future----in-Camdens-past.html|title=Impresario has found the future -- in Camden's legendary musical past|last=Riordan|first=Kevin|date=March 24, 2017|work=Philly.com|access-date=2017-12-21}}</ref>
==Discography== *Johnny's Dance Band – ''Love Wounds, Flesh Wounds'' (1978 – Windsong Records) (Vinyl Only – No CD) <ref>{{cite web |title=Johnny's Dance Band – Love Wounds, Flesh Wounds (1978, Vinyl) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5675552-Johnnys-Dance-Band-Love-Wounds-Flesh-Wounds |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs}}</ref> *Nan Mancini & JDB – ''It's A Man's World'' (1979 – Windsong Records) (Vinyl Only – No CD) <ref>{{cite web |title=Nan Mancini & J.D.B. – It's A Man's World (1979, Vinyl) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6700134-Nan-Mancini-JDB-Its-A-Mans-World |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs}}</ref> *The Hooters – ''Zig Zag'' (1989 – Columbia Records)<ref name=TheHooters>{{cite web |url=http://www.hootersmusic.com/discography.php |title=The Hooters (discography) |accessdate=December 28, 2010 |archive-date=June 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606165405/http://hootersmusic.com/discography.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Roger Waters ''("The Wall")'' Live in Berlin -- (July 21, 1990) *The Hooters – ''Out Of Body'' (1993 – MCA Records)<ref name=TheHooters /> *The Hooters – ''Live! In Germany'' (1994 – MCA Records) (European Only CD Release)<ref name=TheHooters /> *Rory Kunkle (Fran Smith Jr.) – ''For No Apparent Reason'' (1995)<ref name=FranSmithJrSolo>{{cite web |url=http://www.fransmithjr.net/solo.html |title=Fran Smith Jr.net (Solo) |date=November 2, 2009 |accessdate=December 28, 2010 }}</ref> *Largo – ''Largo'' (1998) – Mercury Records <ref>{{cite web |title=Largo – Largo (1998, CD, Album) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1000130-Largo-Largo |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs}}</ref> *''"Beyond the Palace",'' chapter reference dedicated to Fran Smith Jr., -- (author, Gary Wein -- release date May, 2003) *Fran Smith Jr. & The Ten Cent Millionaires – ''Man Meets Machine'' (2005)<ref name=FranSmithJrSolo /> *The Hooters – ''Time Stand Still'' (Neo Records – 2007 European Release)<br> (Megaforce / MRI Associated Labels – 2008 USA Release)<ref name=TheHooters /> *The Hooters – ''Five By Five'' (Neo Records -2010 Release) *Fran Smith Jr – ''Mystic County'' 2016<ref name=":0" /> *"The Goldbergs" series, appearance on the episode entitled, ''"The Hooters"'' -- (original air date January 17, 2018)
''*The Hooters were also honored with induction to The Philadelphia "Walk of Fame" -- (October 23, 2019)''
==Other contributions== * Blake Thompson – Blake Thompson (5 Song CD EP) (1990) TC Records – (Fran Smith Jr. – Bass Guitar) <ref>{{cite web |title=Blake Thompson – Blake Thompson (1990, CD, EP) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/13699460-Blake-Thompson-Blake-Thompson |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs |quote=Credits include Fran Smith Jr. – Bass Guitar.}}</ref> * Glen Burtnik – Palookaville (1996) Deko Records (Fran Smith Jr. – Background Vocals) <ref>{{cite web |title=Glen Burtnik – Palookaville (1996, CD, Album) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5152842-Glen-Burtnik-Palookaville |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs |quote=Personnel includes Fran Smith Jr. – Backing Vocals.}}</ref> * Orange & Black – Baldwin Drive (2008) Zip Records (Fran Smith Jr. – Bass) <ref>{{cite web |title=Orange & Black – Baldwin Drive (2008, CD, Album) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7643489-Orange-Black-Baldwin-Drive |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs |quote=Credits include Fran Smith Jr. – Bass.}}</ref> * Scott Philipp – Just Another Day (2008) Joint Chiefs Records (Fran Smith Jr. – Adviser to Craig Simon producer) *Craig Simon and the vintage "The test of time" (2012) Fran Smith Jr. Bass <ref>{{cite web |title=Scott Philipp – Just Another Day (2008, CD, Album) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15987473-Scott-Philipp-Just-Another-Day |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs |quote=Credits list Fran Smith Jr. as Adviser to Producer Craig Simon.}}</ref> *Smash Palace, Extended Play, Live from the Auction House *Dar Williams – Emerald *David Uosikkinen – In The Pocket-Sessions, In The Pocket Live *Graham Alexander – Repeat Deceiver, Graham Alexander *TJ Tindall – TJ Tindall's East Coast *Clayton West *Livvie Forbes – CHRONIC 2016
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commonscat}}
{{The Hooters}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Fran Jr.}} Category:American rock bass guitarists Category:Living people Category:Guitarists from Philadelphia Category:American male bass guitarists Category:The Hooters members Category:1952 births