Fran Smith Jr. has enjoyed a successful career in the music industry for over twenty-five years. He is the recipient of numerous platinum and gold records for his accomplishments. Fran’s main job has been touring with The Hooters playing the bass and rounding out the vocals. This band, originally from Philadelphia, has become one of the hottest bands in Europe. The Hooters produced a number of Billboard Top 40 hits including "Day By Day," "And We Danced" and "Where Do The Children Go." Over the years they have established a devoted group of fans all over the world. They have done extensive stadium tours and appeared on numerous television programs. In 1990, The Hooters rocked at the infamous Wall concert in Berlin with Roger Waters and various artists.
Never one to rest between gigs, Fran enjoys an eclectic array of activities. When time permits he joins the original Broadway cast members as Paul McCartney in Beatlemania. For six years Fran played the part of Carlo Cannoli in Tony and Tina’s Wedding, the longest running off-Broadway theatre comedy. From his own recording studio he has produced many successful projects. His clients run the gamut from friends like Joe Piscapo and Flo and Eddy of The Turtles to local artists and bands.
In 1995, Fran, AKA Rory Kunkle, released a solo CD, For No Apparent Reason, on Moskeeto Records. Several well-known artists helped to make the CD a success, including Jack Sherman, formerly of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Keith Mack, formerly of Scandal, and Grammy-nominated engineer Steve Churchyard who produced the CD.
In December 2004 Fran released “Man Meets Machineâ€. The CD includes Steve Butler (guitar player from Smash Palace), Plinky and Joe Maressa. Also guest performances by Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman of The Hooters, Glen Burtnik ( formally of Styx) and Keith Mack.
In 2006 Fran recorded with a group Baldwin Drive. The 10 track CD titled “Orange & Black†was finally released in 2008.
In 2006 & 2007 the Hooters recorded and released an 11 track CD titled “Time Stand Stillâ€. They toured Europe and parts of the United States.
In late 2008 the Hooters released a 26 track double CD titled “Both Sides Live†This CD includes live performances recorded in 2007 at “The Electric Factory†in Philadelphia, PA and acoustic sessions recorded in the studio in 2008.