What in the World is HOPEiDONT?
HOPEiDONT Books, created by author Franklin Smith, is a series of engaging children’s books and educational tools designed to make social-emotional learning (SEL) approachable, meaningful, and fun. Aimed at children ages 4–10, the series uses playful storytelling and evidence-based strategies to help kids—and the adults who support them—build emotional awareness, self-regulation, and resilience as they navigate their environments, relationships, and everyday challenges.
HOPEiDONT was designed for use in classrooms, therapy offices, hospitals, and at home. Currently, the books and resources are available in children’s hospitals, schools, and counseling settings. However, the ultimate goal is for every child to have their own copy to read, journal, and track how they’re managing their emotions in a personal and meaningful way.
Franklin has been entertaining audiences of all ages for years, but his deepest connection has always been with retirement communities—largely because of the influence his grandparents had on him growing up. These communities have given him so much joy through their support, stories, and friendship that he wanted to give something meaningful back.
By setting his solo performance rate at $500, Franklin is able to donate 50 HOPEiDONT books to each community he visits. This allows residents and staff to share the books however they choose—spreading kindness, connection, and the spirit of giving that inspires his music.
Not always. Many residents have grandchildren or great-grandchildren around Franklin’s age, so they often save the books to share with them later. In some cases, the organization donates the books to a local school, women’s shelter, children’s hospital, or another organization of their choice.
The 50 paperback books have a total charitable value of $500, which may qualify as a tax-deductible donation when given to an eligible nonprofit or school.
Franklin tours outside of Arizona from May through October, performing primarily in communities west of the Mississippi. In addition, he will be traveling throughout the Southwest and Southeast from February to April in 2027.
Yes. It’s common for Franklin to perform a 60-minute show in Independent Living and then continue the experience in the Assisted Living or Memory Care wing, ensuring everyone in the community gets to enjoy the music.
For the $500 show package, which includes 50 HOPEiDONT books, payment is due in full at the time of booking. The books are shipped immediately, allowing the community to distribute them in advance—so by the time Franklin performs, many are already familiar with his message and resources.
For all other bookings, a 50% deposit is due at the time of booking, with the remaining balance payable on the day of the show.
Absolutely! It’s one of the most fun parts of the show. During the last 15 minutes, Franklin loves turning the spotlight over to the audience for song requests—he’s got more than 600 tunes ready to go! Some Lifestyle Directors even send in requests ahead of time so he can surprise residents with their favorites. It’s always a crowd favorite and a great way to end the show on a high note.
Yes. Management will provide a detailed technical rider outlining everything needed to ensure a smooth, high-quality performance tailored to your community’s venue and setup.
You’ll receive an immediate confirmation along with a detailed welcome packet to help Franklin prepare for your event. The packet also provides space for your community to share any special requests, event details, or unique circumstances to ensure everything runs smoothly and feels personalized.
The performance itself isn’t tax-deductible, but the HOPEiDONT book donation qualifies for a $500 charitable contribution write-off. In essence, when the book option is selected, the performance is provided at no additional cost.
Yes! Each HOPEiDONT book includes 13 full coloring pages and interactive activities designed to help children explore and better understand their emotions in a fun, creative way.
Absolutely. Franklin loves bringing generations together through music and storytelling. Many communities host special gatherings where children enjoy a book reading before sharing a meal with their grandparents. Franklin often performs before, during, or after the meal—which ever best enhances the experience. His performances help create joyful moments that families remember long after the event ends.
Franklin resides in Arizona.
Booking Franklin is simple! You can start by filling out the inquiry form on the website or requesting the 2026 tour schedule to see when he’ll be traveling through your city. His performances are most often scheduled before lunch or between lunch and dinner. For golf and independent gated communities, he frequently performs during Happy Hour or in the early evening.
Once your inquiry is received, a representative will contact you by email with available dates and times to choose from. Because Franklin’s tour calendar fills quickly and he limits the number of performances in each city, bookings are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis—so don’t wait too long to secure your date!
Franklin typically books his tour about a year in advance. Many communities invite him back two to four times a year, as he coordinates return visits with each new HOPEiDONT book release. Franklin publishes a new book every quarter, allowing him to stay connected and bring something fresh to each visit.
Franklin’s Legends of Country Music Show changes every quarter, offering a brand-new experience each time. In every performance, he features three songs from one legendary artist per decade—spanning the 1950s through the 1990s. Each quarter, he highlights a new lineup of artists, so audiences enjoy an entirely fresh show every visit. For communities that choose the HOPEiDONT book option, each quarterly booking also includes 50 copies of Franklin’s newest book—making every event both entertaining and meaningful.
Franklin performs six days a week and often schedules two shows per day. If your community is in or near Arizona and would like to join the many that have enjoyed Franklin’s music for years, simply fill out the contact form and share your event needs—we’ll help find the perfect date for you.
Yes, he’ll just need access to a nearby electrical outlet for his performance.
When available, Franklin is joined by one of his bandmates from Gypsy Troubadour—either his pedal steel guitarist or his lead guitarist—to add even more energy and depth to the show. This setup is most common for performances in Arizona, though he may travel with a fellow musician when scheduling allows.