Franco Who?

Franco Masada has over thirty years of business experience overseeing and running multi-businesses over the years to owning several successful companies of his own. From clothing designer and wardrobe consultant, catering to hundreds of top celebrities in the music industry, to designer and manufacturer of wholesale and retail clothing lines, to music productions and artist management, Franco attributes his passion for life a gift from God.

Some of Franco's other credits include original music score for the Malcolm X documentary, "Brother Minister", record producer and most recently, executive producer and producer of a history making concert/event on 07/07/07. (see Franco Presents Concerts)

Being in the entertainment industry particularly for over 20 years in promotions, music and apparel, has paved the opportunity for Franco to do business with and to meet many of today's top Country, Pop, R&B, Rock & Hollywood superstars.

"I'm not famous or anything", says Franco. "I was always behind the scenes just as a wardrobe person on a movie set. I was flattered that so many artists respected my taste, because I was honest about if something looked good on them or not. That's how it sort of kicked off", says Franco.

Over the years Franco has had the pleasure of meeting and working with many celebrities such as the famous late James Brown, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Eddie Money, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Ronnie Milsap, Lee Greenwood, Dolly Parton, The Honky Tonk Man (WWF Wrestler), Don King, Pete Escovedo, Loverboy, The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Take-Six, Rod Steiger, Whitesnake, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Bruce Springsteen, U-2 and Sade to mention a few.

"Many of the celebrities I've met over the years remember me and many don't because it could have been a one time deal when I helped them with their wardrobe or I met them at a special event because of the entertainment circle I was in. There are many out there that do wardrobe and do it well. But there are several celebrities that I ended up spending more time with over the years and we established very good and professional relationships", says Franco.

"I particularly am fond of my time spent with James Brown and the phone calls we had", Says Franco. "We sat in his hotel room and talked about cool boots (he loved patent leather boots), music, life and God. He was just an amazing person and once the business of clothing was done he wanted to know how I was doing and about my music. He asked to listen to a group I was in at the time and offered nothing but great words of love and encouragement and even predicted that I had a hit song in that particular market. Not long after it did hit the top 10", says Franco.

"A few months had gone by and out of nowhere I got a call from James Brown. He had just got back from Europe and told me he had a fabulous time filming in one of the new Rocky movies as he performed his song "Living In America". After talking about more boots and clothes that he needed, I told James that my song was a hit and all he could do was laugh and say..."I told you so. I know a hit when I hear one", says Franco. "I was in South Africa when I heard of his recent passing and I felt honored to have known this great artist as I cried for a man that once showed love to me and believed in me", says Franco.

Being in the circle of the entertainment industry allowed Franco to also meet many more great personalities such as Jay Leno, Sting, Don Henley, Huey Lewis, Tower of Power, ZZ-Top, Bransford Marsalis, Tanya Tucker, Brooks & Dunn, Don Johnson, Magic Johnson, Ice T, Lou Gossett Jr., Drew Barrymore, Frank Stallone, Kevin Bacon, Billy Preston, Boston, The Cult, Tom Jones, Stephen Baldwin and more.

During that period of time Franco's nine year-old niece Jamey, was suddenly found with cancer and not expected to live. Franco learned that she loved country music, so he hoped to brighten her days up by asking some country celebrities for an autographed picture to send to her.

Not long after Franco was backstage for a special TV taping, meeting with several celebrities. Garth Brooks saw Franco and called him over to say hi and asked him what was new. After Franco told the story about his niece having cancer, Franco asked for an autographed photo for her. But Garth said, "give me her phone number...I want to call her and pray for her and I'll get my church to pray for her." Franco was stunned and guess who got a call the next day!
Tanya Tucker heard about Jamey also and made that special phone call. Franco was so moved and touched by this that it sparked a renewing of his faith in people and God. Even though many celebrities can be the busiest and hardest working people in the world, I can see that many still know that we are all just people and can recognize when there is a time of need, says Franco.

"I share this story to say that sometimes all it takes is a word of love and encouragement that can make the world that that person is living in a better and brighter one. It's always easy for us to say that someone else will do it or someone is probably helping that situation. I want to finally do something with my life that will make an impact and to help the many others also that are willing to make a difference. Let's not limit ourselves and let's start by showing that we care. I love people, the community and this great nation we live in and it all starts with love", says Franco.

As far as Franco's taste for music he was largely influenced growing up in the bay area with the legendary sounds of Santana, Tower of Power, Malo, Azteca, Pete Escovedo and Sly & The Family Stone. During his high school days (Overfelt High) he was the leader of "Los Unicos". He is also the present leader and founder of "Masada", a Latin-funk-jazz band that has shared the stage with the likes of many of his favorite and influential musicians such as Sly & The Family Stone, Average White Band, El Chicano, George Santana, The Gap Band, Malo, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E., Willie G. along with top Christian artists such as Martha Munizzi, Andre Crouch, Carmen, Salvador, Jaci Velasquez, Jon Gibson, The Katinas, The Supertones, Leon Patillo and has also performed internationally. Franco presently resides in his native city of San Jose, California.

Celebrities Franco has met over the years:
Hollywood Jay Leno Bransford Marsalis Lou Gossett Jr Rod Stieger Drew Barrymore Sophia Loren Connie Stevens Ramon Estevez Frank Stallone Charles Napier Ice-T Martin Stilner Jessica Lange Ed Harris Linda Evans Ed Lauder Don King Don Johnson Magic Johnson Kevin Bacon Barbara Moore Morgan Fairchild Tom Wopat John Schneider Honky Tonk Man Hulk Hogan Jimmy Hart Pete Rose Tim Richmond Richard Petty Kyle Petty	Politicians Sen. John Glenn Sen. Al Gore Pop/R&B/Latin-jazz James Brown Gladys Knight The Pips Sade Aaron Neville Sheila E. Peter Michael Pete Escovedo Billy Preston Bobby Brown New Edition Tower of Power The Guess Who La Toya Jackson Linda Ronstadt Ron Tyson-Temp. Hiroshima Spyro Gyro	Rock Eddie Money Sting Don Henley Huey Lewis Bryant Adams Loverboy Lynyrd Skynyrd Whitesnake David Coverdale Motley Crue Cinderella ZZ Top Three Dog Night Boston Dire Straits Yes Heart U2-Bono Leon Russell Bruce Springsteen Georgia Satellites Pete Best Christian/Gospel B.J.Thomas Take-Six Salvador J.D.Sumner The Imperials The Jordanaires Bobby Jones Amy Grant Gary Oliver Mylon LeFevre Randy Travis Tammy Faye Baker	Country Tim McGraw Vince Gill Garth Brooks Tanya Tucker Randy Travis Dolly Parton Kenny Rogers Lee Greenwood Clint Black Billy Ray Cyrus Reba McIntyre Marty Stuart Johnny Cash Rosanne Cash Joanne Cash Emy Lou Harris Hwy 101 Hank Williams Jr. Dwight Yoakam Confederate Railroad Johnny Lee Trisha Yearwood Mark Collie Mark Chestnut Jeannie C. Riley Lynn Anderson Waylon Jennings Jessie Coulter David Allan Coe Brooks & Dunn Michelle Wright Keith Whitley Lorie Morgan Loretta Lynn Louise Mandrell Brenda Lee Bill Anderson Deborah Allen Asleep at the Wheel Bellamy Brothers Paul Overstreet Brother Phelps Linda Davis Rodney Crowell Charlie Daniels Billy Dean Skip Ewing Janie Fricke Crystal Gayle Toby Keith Kentucky Headhunters	Ronnie Milsap Mel Street Johnny Paycheck Roy Acuff Minnie Pearl Porter Wagner Ricky Skaggs Eddie Rabbit Sawyer Brown The Judds Conway Twitty George Jones Tammy Wynette John Anderson Neal McCoy Eddy Raven The Gatlin Bros Doug Stone Johnny Rodriguez Little Texas Mel Tillis Pam Tillis Dottie West Shelly West Lari White Joe Diffie Charlie Walker Ricochet T. G. Shepard Ray Peterson Oak Ridge Boys Chet Atkins Kathy Mattea Bill Monroe Gary Morris Juice Newton Roy Orbison Buck Owens Riders in the Sky Restless Heart Jerry Reed Marty Robbins Kenny Rogers Dan Seals Shenandoah Hank Snow Hank Thompson Ricky Van Shelton Billy Walker Bryan White

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