Today brought with it an unimaginable heartbreak for band family. We lost not just a vital part of Saloonatics team, but a piece of our soul — the fourth member behind the scenes, our ever-reliable soundman, and one of our dearest friends, Francis “Franny” Schlenner.
Franny wasn’t just the guy behind the soundboard. He was the heartbeat behind the music — the one who made sure every note, every chord, every lyric hit just right. While we were onstage performing, Franny was always there in the back, focused, steady, and completely in tune with us in every sense of the word. He wasn’t in the spotlight, but he made the spotlight shine brighter. He was our technician, our cheerleader, our calm during the chaos of setups and sound checks, and above all, he was our family.
We are absolutely gutted by this sudden and tragic loss. It’s hard to put into words just how much Franny meant to each of us, and how deeply this has rocked us. He was the kind of friend you could always count on — never seeking praise, always giving his best, and radiating warmth and humor wherever he went. His loyalty, laughter, and love for music were unmatched. He supported us not just with his technical skills but with his heart, and his presence lifted us in ways most people never saw.
Right now, we’re still trying to make sense of it all, and honestly, we don’t know how we’re going to get through this weekend. We have shows scheduled — events that Franny had already prepped and planned for — and we feel the weight of his absence more than words can say. But we also know one thing for sure: Franny would want the music to go on.
He would be the first to give us that firm, “C’mon, you guys, you gotta do it,” while sipping a beer, adjusting a mic, or fixing a feedback issue like only he could. He believed in this band with every ounce of his being. That’s why we’ve decided to push forward, even if it hurts. Because we’re doing it for him. Because he wouldn’t have it any other way.
To the Schlenner family, our hearts are with you in every moment. We can’t imagine your grief, but please know that Franny was deeply loved by so many, and his legacy will live on in every chord we play and every stage we stand on.
There will never be another like Francis Schlenner — and we wouldn’t want there to be. He was one of a kind. A backstage legend. A brother. A light. A friend. And for the rest of our lives, Franny will be with us, in the music, in the laughter, in the love, and in the silence between the notes.
We’ll keep going — somehow, some way — because we know Franny would be mad as hell if we didn’t.
We miss you already, buddy.
We’ll see you in the mix.
Forever part of the band.
Forever in our hearts.
Rest easy, Franny.
Leave a Reply