The inductees during the awards show include post-grunge rock band, Collective Soul; GRAMMY® winner Third Day; music promoter, Peter Conlon; GRAMMY® winning songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox; music industry pioneer John L. Carson; the late singer and songwriter, Roy Hamilton; the late record executive, Shakir Stewart; and the late bass guitarist, Berry Oakley.

"I am greatly honored to share in this wonderful evening honoring several of our state's greats," Franks said. "I am especially excited to be there on the night they honor John L. "Johnny" Carson. He and Phyllis Cole have done so much to recognize Georgia performers through the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame and encourage musical talents through his other endeavors. I am blessed to be one of those as our all the members of the Georgia Mafia Bluegrass Band."

The Georgia Mafia Bluegrass Band are Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame members Jerry and Helen Burke, J. Max McKee, Rick Smith, and Dean Marsh.

Franks is also an actor known for his role "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night" and for his work in films such as "The Flamingo Rising" with William Hurt and "Phoenix Falling" with Stella Parton and "Blue Valley Songbird" with Dolly Parton. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/randallfranksmusic.

The dinner and the Georgy® Awards Show is Saturday, September 19 with television hosts Monica Pearson and Leslie Fram.

This annual Atlanta gala supports Friends of Georgia Music Festival's mission to nurture the music industry in Georgia. The event also funds the organization's annual scholarship program – the Georgia Music Talent Search – which assists future musicians, songwriters and composers in pursuing their musical passions. The 2009 scholarship winner is Tsuey Wei Seah, from Malaysia, a Music Education major with a concentration in piano in the School of Music at Kennesaw State University. For tickets and information, call (770) 491-9494 ext. 15.

More information about Inductee John L. Carson mentioned above by Franks:

Music industry pioneer John L "Johnny" Carson will be among honorees at 31st Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show.

Carson combined his musical pedigree, talent and love of people to pioneer a career in Georgia's music industry. Carson is the grandson of Georgia Music Hall of Fame member the late Fiddlin' John Carson and the nephew of the late RCA recording artist, "Moonshine Kate" Carson.

The Cabbagetown, Ga. native began his journey through the music industry by booking bands at the age of 15. Throughout his wide-ranging career, he managed, promoted, produced, showcased and paid tribute to hundreds of country, bluegrass, gospel and western musicians.

In addition to his publishing and production companies, he continues to serve as Atlanta Society of Entertainers president, Friends of Georgia Music Festival board member and Georgia Music Hall Of Fame supporter.

He and Phyllis Cole co-founded the Atlanta Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1982 and he was inducted in 1996. Carson was one of the first inductees in the Carolinas Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Hall of Fame in 2007 and he received their Legends Award in 2009.

A philanthropist at heart, Carson formed the Atlanta Country Music Academy in 1986 to provide free music classes for aspiring singers. Carson also began awarding fiddles to deserving students at his annual tribute event for the Fiddlin' John Carson Birthday Celebration in 1970 sponsored by Fiddlin' John Carson Productions.

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