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Frank & Ann Thomas

Folk

From:

Lake Wales, FL

Joined:

over 3 years ago

Bio

Born and raised in Clay county, Frank Thomas is a native Floridian whose ancestors came to Florida in the late eighteenth century. His families direct connection with the land, his strong Florida heritage, and his love of Florida inspired much of his music. Frank’s entire family played music and he learned it singing gospel at home and in church. Frank went on to tour nationally as front man with The Arkansas Travelers playing rhythm guitar. He later returned to Florida and performed extensively with his wife, Ann (1946–2004).

Frank has written over five hundred songs about Florida. He has recorded nine albums including Cracker Nights , Florida Stories, Bingo!, Spanish Gold, and Just Another Day… . Together, Frank and Ann produced and hosted a weekly singer-songwriter radio show for WMNF-FM in the Tampa area. They traveled Florida performing their music at schools, festivals, music and folk clubs, on television, and on concert stages. Their video “Florida History in Song” won the Florida Historical Societies coveted Golden Quill Award. Other awards received include The Florida Folk Heritage Award, and The Inaugural Jillian Prescott History Award. Though Ann passed in 2004, Frank continues the rich tradition of passing on Florida history through story telling in song.