About Franky
FRANKY SMART (aka Claire Walters) is a multi-faceted entertainer, having performed locally, nationally and internationally, in musical and cabaret productions, lavish corporate events, festivals, local pubs and clubs and loves a good wedding. She has worked alongside some of Australia's finest talent including Bert and Patti Newton, Nikki Webster, Doug Parkinson and most recently, Rhonda Burchmore, Robert Mills and Dale Pengelly.
Claire is a graduate of the QLD Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz and was a Finalist in the James Morrison Vocal Scholarship. She studied all forms of dance from toddler to adulthood and it was her love of music and dance that led her to add vocals to her repertoire. She hasn’t looked back and loves every moment of interacting with her audience. Much to the light-hearted chagrin of her beloved and long-standing band members, Franky will often ‘have a crack’ at most songs requested of her, on the night.
At the 2018 Brisbane Festival she was honoured to be able to showcase her talent alongside entertainment legends, Rhonda Burchmore and Robert Mills in the original cabaret production of ‘Bang Bang’ thanks to Troy Armstrong Entertainment and in 2019, had an absolute blast every evening, entertaining and mingling with Divine Bar Patrons. She was back for a Covid Safe Brisbane Festival in 2020 with her Oscar Theatre Production revellers with their Street Serenades show.
Claire is currently in the studio with her band “Franky Smart” recording their first EP with Joel Myles of Head Atlas Song Engineers.
Here's a taste of what she's been up to ...
CHRISTMAS TREE SPECTACULAR - 2020 - Southbank Piazza (Produced and Performed)
BEER AND SAUSAGE FESTIVAL - 2020 - Southbank Gardens
TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AWARDS - 2020 - BCEC
ISAGENIX GALA DINNER - 2019 / 2020 Brisbane Convention Centre
BRONCOS SEASON LAUNCH - 2020 - Fortitude Music Hall
NEW FARM DELI - Long Italian Lunch - 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
NEW FARM DELI - Charity Lunch - 2019
XEROCON 2018 / 2019 - Brisbane Convention Centre
BRISBANE FESTIVAL - 2019 - Divine Bar
BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2018 - COURIER MAIL SPIEGELTENT - Rhonda Burchmore "Bang Bang" featuring Rob Mills
RECEIPT BANK FUNCTION - 2019 - Sydney Opera House
LIFT BRANDS AUSTRALIA GALA DINNER - 2019 - Novotel Twin Waters
BACKYARD BONANZA - 2019 - Bracken Ridge
MAYORS CHARITY BALL - 2019 - Kingaroy
AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS QLD STATE AWARDS - 2019 - Howard Smith Wharves
LORD MAYORS BUSINESS AWARDS - 2019 - Brisbane City Hall
BROOKWATER "DRESS CIRCLE" OFFICIAL OPENING - 2019 - Brookwater
BIRDLAND - New York City
THE GREEN MILL - Chicago
BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE - Pre-Show VIP for Michael Bublé and Naturally 7
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE - Boy and Girl (Oscar Theatre Company)
HONG KONG UDDERBELLY - With Tom Thum and Jamie MacDowell
TARANAKI ARTS FESTIVAL - With Tom Thum and Jamie MacDowell
ADELAIDE FRINGE FEST - With Tom Thum and Jamie MacDowell
MANIFEST FESTIVAL - Franky Smart Band 2016
REGIONAL FLAVOURS - Franky Smart - Southbank, QLD 2016
MND & ME GALA BALL - Franky Smart 7 Piece - RNA Convention Centre 2016
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AWARDS NIGHT - Franky Smart 2016/2017/2018
BACKYARD BONANZA FESTIVAL - Bracken Ridge 2019 / 2017
BRISBANE JAZZ CLUB - Franky Smart 2017
BRISBANE CABARET FESTIVAL - Brisbane Powerhouse - "Seven on Sinatra" 2017
HOTEL GRAND CHANCELLOR - AMHOIC 2017
THE TIVOLI - "Boy and Girl Ball" - Oscar Theatre Company - 2017
OLD MUSEUM BUILDING - CGEN State School On Stage Finals - Master of Ceremonies 2018
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE - #LIKEMARIAH - Melt Festival with Josh Daveta 2018