Randall Franks, known best for his fiddling and for his role as Officer Randy Goode on the locally filmed television series "In the Heat of the Night," has teamed up with former "Heat" co-star Alan Autry to produce "Mississippi Moon: Country Traditions" released July 9 on Crimson Records.

Franks said he and Autry met on the set of "Heat" and became friends and business partners. He said they shared an interest in the sounds of some of the great country music legends. As a result, many of their joint projects led them to the music studio.

"Alan and I have worked in the studio through the years and we have created songs that we both like," Franks said. "This project features songs that are both old and new."

Although several of the songs were made famous by other artists such as Johnny Cash and Lefty Frizzell, some were written by Franks and Autry and Dove-nominated songwriter Mark Wheeler.

Included on the album are songs such as: "I Walk the Line," "Mean Joe Blake," "Mississippi Moon," and "Georgia Rain." Franks and Autry are featured as solo artists in some songs and perform together in others.

Franks began his music career fiddling at the age of 8 and was honored this year with an induction into the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. He was a child star who appeared on a show similar to "Hee Haw" called "Country Kids TV" that aired around the world. He currently records both country and Christian albums, manages television stars, writes books and a nationally syndicated column. Adding to that, he has recently starred in five movies, one "Lukewarm" with John Schneider who is also familiar around Covington from the filming of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Autry is well known for his portrayal of Bubba Skinner on "Heat." He has appeared in numerous television shows and movies and is currently seen in a recurring role on "Hart of Dixie" on the WB network. In 1976, he was a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. From 2000-2009, he served two terms as mayor of Fresno, Calif.

"I hope folks who enjoy both of us will get a kick out of hearing ‘Mississippi Moon: Country Traditions’ and will be uplifted by what Alan and I brought together," Franks said.

Alan Autry and Randall Franks "Mississippi Moon: Country Traditions" is available for digital download on Itunes and Amazon.com, or the CD can be ordered via mail from www.randallfranks.com and soon from www.autryentertainmentgroup.com.