As proven by the 11 ACM "Drummer Of The year" awards and the 4 ACM "Best Non-Touring Band" award on his mantel, Archie Francis is a central figure in the history of West Coast Country Music.
A western swing drummer fresh off the bus from Kansas, Archie found employment as the resident drummer at the legendary Palomino club on his first day in Los Angeles--August 1rst, 1963. On and off, Archie would find himself working at the "Pal" for 12 years, backing California entertainers such as Gene Davis, Jerry Inman and Tony Booth, as well as visiting national acts such as Joe Maphis, Skeets McDonalds, TG Shepherd, Moe Bandy, Doug Kershaw, Hank Williams Jr, Johnny Rodriguez, Molly Bee, Wanda Jackson, Larry and Lorie Collins, Tanya Tucker,and countless others, and sharing the stage with his best friends, world-renowned steel guitar player Jay Dee Maness, and guitarist extraordinaire Al "Bruno Bear" Bruno.
Quickly becoming L.A.'s country drummer of choice, Archie embarked on the road with legendary performers, Hank Thomson, Roger Miller and Freddie Fender, which whom he recorded a live album at Carnegie Hall, and maintaining a busy studio schedule on countless country music and rockabilly sessions. Archie's western swing roots came full circle when he played in Bob Wills' big band.
Beyond his distinguished career as a side man, Archie also developped as a singer/songwriter in his own right. His first effort, "Corn, Corn, Corn", was cut as a single for Crescendo Record. As the title suggests, a healthy sense of humor and love for all things "corny" are a big part of Archie's personality, and the song was to become the starting point of the world's largest "corn collection." Those same qualities also pushed Archie towards a carreer as a character actor in movies and commercials. "whenever they needed some sort of hillbilly, hick, homeless guy or drunk, I'd get a call," jokes Archie, who, for the record, is perfectly sobber, and DOES own a house.
In 2008, Archie is finally releasing "Money In The Bank", his first complete studio album. "Money In The Bank", which was recorded at Pete Anderson's Little Dog Studio, contains 13 original songs, all written or co-written by Archie, and reunites him with his Palomino buddies, Jay Dee Maness and Al Bruno. A unique mix of acoustic and electric, country, rockabilly, cowboy songs and even folk, "Money In the Bank" is as original, genuine, and charming as its author.
These days, Archie tours with Corn Pop, an accoustic trio in support of the album. On accasions, they are joined by the large band -- Then, all hell breaks loose!!!
