Irish American News Ohio

Franklin Krakowski, Owner
709B Sugar Lane
Elyria, Ohio 44035
216.533.2527
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Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival is celebrating its 29th Annual Festival this year. For twenty-six of those twenty-nine years, the official sound company of Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival has been Sheer Sound. Under the direction of Franklin Krakowski, Sheer Sound has grown right with the festival, from an initial package of a couple of speakers and microphones (and a total sound cost of $275) in 1986, to now, nearly thirty years later, outfitting a major event with ten stages, dozens of bands, and sound production gleaned from being there year in and year out, to know the intricacies and pulse of Irish music in America.
Sheer Sound does major productions all over the Cleveland area, as well as special events throughout the United States, including the Pope’s visit to Detroit and concerts and tours for such stars as Roy Clark, Lou Rawls, Billy Ray Cyrus and Ray Charles. They regularly are the production company for the Cleveland Pops, both at Severance Hall and on the road, and shows at the West Side Irish American Club. Their ability to bring out the glory of the harp, the fiddle, the pipes or the far ranging instrument that is the voice, continues to evolve, just as the music does.
That decades long exposure to Irish music has instilled in Franklin a deep love for the music and passion of the Irish culture. Not one for just giving lip service to an ideal, Franklin backs it up with his wallet, by actively supporting that culture. He has been advertiser with the Ohio Irish American News for a long time.
“I am hands-on, doing the work I like to do,” Franklin said. “I haven’t had to go to work a day in my life. I love what I do. I will be sixty-five in a few months, but I have no plans to quit. I am having too much fun—and people give me money!”
I was at Notre Dame, in Aeronautical Engineering. I left school in 1971 and was a professional musician. I saw the opportunity for production companies and started Sheer Sound in 1975. The first few jobs I got were by good luck: Higbees wanted sound production. My initial focus was on installing closed circuit TV, intercoms etc., but over the first few years, businesses, churches needed sound, and needed knowledge. The business evolved over the next few years to about 50/50 sound vs. installs.
“We offer total event production management, including sound, stage and lighting. We cover all aspects, and help many people who may only put on one event a year. We know the specifics—is there enough electricity? Is the stage large enough for that size band? We have expertise in costs—the logistics and whether the budget and actual costs are compatible. We give practical pre-event guidance so people don’t get in over their head or have unexpected costs—and don’t have bands walk off if the band doesn’t have what they need.”
“It has been a great experience to see how the festival has evolved. I can enjoy what is going on. To look back, to see how it has grown: We are proud to be a part of it.”