We recently connected with Christopher Franklin and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

The funny thing is I have regular jobs while also being a creative & an entrepreneur. They key is balance and time management. I work at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and Brown Missionary Baptist Church.

Growing up, I only thought you could choose one. (Professional Musician OR Regular Job.) Here I am being a professional musician, an entrepreneur, and an employee all at the same time. The Stax Museum serves the purpose of improving my people skills and expressing my creative side. The Stax Music Academy serves the purpose of me educating the next generation to do what I do but better! Brown Baptist is my musical escape and spiritual escape all wrapped in one. I do all of this while still playing as much as a professional musician would play and operating 2 businesses of my own. (Tankler Apparel & All Things Bass)

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Christopher “TANK” Franklin. Born and raised in Memphis, TN. I am a producer,musician, entrepreneur, and educator.. I come from a family full of music. First, I’m a triplet. We all play drums and piano, but my main instrument is the bass guitar. My dad is a drummer, and my mom sings. Also, all my grandparents sing, and one of my grandmothers can play the piano. Falling in love with music wasn’t hard being surrounded by it. We all started playing drums at a very young age because of my dad, but we were told that we couldn’t try any other instrument until we learned the piano, which came in handy once I picked up the bass when I was 9. I was taught by Terence Gray, who is still my mentor and big brother today! With that instrument, I feel that I am the glue that brings all of the pieces together, which is also how I feel off of the instrument. I like to be the glue that pulls things together.

I run two businesses under my brand “TANKLER.”: Tankler Apparel & All Things Bass. I also work for the Stax Music Academy, Stax Museum, and Brown Missionary Baptist. I currently play with the award winning gospel artist, Jekalyn Carr. With that, I have received both Stellars and Dove awards. I also received my first Grammy nomination back in 2021 for contributing to her “Changing Your Story” album!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Play as fast as you can & get the attention.”

I had to unlearn that lesson in the beginning stages of playing bass. Because we already had a bass player at my home church, I was only allowed to play 1 song. Because I was seeking the attention, I was always soloing over everybody from the top of the song to the end of the song. One particular Sunday, I thought I was doing my thing! All of the church members were smiling and clapping. I was on top of the world until I looked in front of me. My Uncle Pat was glaring and shaking his head. He then scolded me but gave me one of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever received. *You can make yourself look good or my everyone look good. You don’t play for other people. You play for yourself.” At first I was angry, but I started to break down what was being told to me. I don’t have to overplay for attention. The right attention will find you if you don’t focus on other people. I carry that with me every time I play now. I miss my Uncle Pat dearly.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to be successful in many aspects of life. I want to be a successful entrepreneur, producer, musician, and teacher. Most people only want to focus on one thing, which is playing music 24/7. I’m looking at things differently. When my time on Earth is over, I want my mark to be left in multiple ways and not just one.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tanklerapparel.com/
• Instagram: Instagram.com/thetankbass
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCzN-hL_9fTVmlOP4ZNNH7Lg

Image Credits
Rekiria Crawford