About Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship

Download and print a copy of The Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Application  

Scholarships honoring the excellence of Appalachian Musical Arts

If you are a graduating senior and perform the traditional music of the South or Appalachia, seeking higher education, you are eligible to apply for the annual presentation of the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship.  

The Share America Foundation, Inc. presents two scholarships each year, ranging between $500-1,000.

Musicians that perform selections on the traditional instruments of Appalachia will be given special consideration in the selection process. Some of those traditional instruments include the fiddle, guitar, banjo, mountain or hammered dulcimer, acoustic bass, or mandolin.

Candidates will be reviewed based on specific scholastic accomplishments, community involvement and musical ability. Each candidate will submit two recorded performances on CD or cassette featuring their prowess on their instrument on a musical selection reflecting the heritage of Appalachia or the South originating prior to 1960. Recordings need not be professional but performances must be heard clearly.  

Candidates should be available to perform for The Share America Foundation, Inc. at a designated event where the recipients will be announced.

A Selection Committee will choose the top two candidates from eligible applicants. For more information about this scholarship and its specific requirements speak to your school counselor or contact The Share America Foundation, Inc. to see if your school is among those from which applications are accepted.
Currently schools in the following communities are eligible: Catoosa County, Walker County, and Whitfield County, Georgia; Rhea County and Cumberland County, Tenn. Additional schools are made eligible by donations from area residents. If your school counselor’s office receives this notice then students from your school are eligible.

Pearl and Floyd Franks, are the late parents of award-winning actor/entertainer Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night" and Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle. Pearl and Floyd served as entertainment managers for Randall's childhood act The Peachtree Pickers ® encouraging the musical dreams of 25 youth that participated. Guiding his career they were instrumental in helping him reach The Grand Ole Opry ® and later network television and movies. After Floyd's death in 1987, Pearl and Randall placed the management reins with others and she served as business manager and continued her role as fan club president. Pearl counseled not only her son but many of the musical performers and actors with which he worked on various aspects of their career helping countless young performers reach for the stars while encouraging them to establish a firm educational foundation for their lives. She continued her efforts until her death in 2006. Randall established this scholarship fund in their memory to continue the legacy that they established of encouraging young performers in their dreams while giving them the educational foundation to succeed in life.

The Grand Ole Opry ® is a registered trademark of Gaylord Entertainment, Inc. The Peachtree Pickers ® is a registered trademark of Randall Franks.

shareamerica@gmail.com
Share America Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755 www.myspace.com/shareamerica

Tyler Martelli, July 2012

Nicholas Hickman, May 2012

Ryan Stinson, Feb. 2012

Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholars

2012

Garrett Arb

Share America Foundation, Inc. recently presented Garrett Arb, 19, of Varnell, Ga., the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship for $1,000 in honor of the late Dottie Rambo at the Ringgold Depot. The banjo player was the very first scholarship designee selected by Rambo when she appeared for the organization’s inaugural fundraising concert in 2007. He was 14 at that time. From left, Share America Foundation secretary James Pelt, SAF chairman Joe Turner, Arb and SAF president Randall Franks.  He graduated from Northwest Whitfield High School and will attend Dalton State working towards Bachelor of Arts degree. “After knocking out the core classes, I intend on transferring to a school more prominent in musical studies,” he said. “It was so kind of Dottie to encourage me in the way she did as well as ask the audience to support my future.”  Garrett is the son of David and Lisa Arb. The grandson of John and Nancy Arb of Chatsworth, Ga., and the grandson of Margaret Blackwell and the late J.C Blackwell of Dalton, Ga. 

Tyler Martelli

Tyler Martelli, 18, of Hixson, Tenn. graduated from Hixson High School and plans to attend
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“Until I was a freshman, I played electric guitar listening to Rock and Roll,” he said. “Then a friend of mine invited me one night to the Mountain Opry on Signal Mountain. This was my first encounter with bluegrass music.

“I began to regularly sing and perform there and fell in love with the Appalachian style music,” he said.

He eventually joined Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band, a group of Signal Mountain youth. He initially played guitar but soon took up the mandolin and later the harmonica adding both to the band’s stage show. He also sings with the group. For more information, visit www.mountaincovebluegrass.com.

“Bluegrass has no doubt affected my life in a huge way,” he said. “ Playing and singing in front of so many people has helped me to be more comfortable speaking in crowds, and I can be more open when performing.

Tyler said he plans to use the  $1,000 scholarship towards his educational needs to get a degree in music with a focus in music therapy.

“The most rewarding thing about playing bluegrass is the fans,” he said. “It has given me the opportunity to perform at places I would’ve never dreamed.

He won the harmonica contest at Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree. While in high school, he played clarinet and drum and was part of the Hixson High School Marching Band. He also plays guitar at Battlefield Baptist Church in Fort Oglethorpe.

“One of our annual scholarships is set aside for a performer from Catoosa County, Ga. There were no applicants from Catoosa this year, so the board of directors chose to select a candidate and award the 2012 scholarship in the year that candidate attends college,” Franks said. “Nicholas is carrying on the traditional music of this region through his learning the basics of vocal techniques used in gospel singing for generations.”

The requirements for designees to receive the scholarship are to fulfill the application requirements in the year he or she enrolls in college immediately following graduation and to continue performing the Appalachian musical style of their choice, according to Franks.

He began singing at the age of three when he stepped on stage with entertainer James Rogers. Recently, Nicholas was winner of Georgia’s “Gospel’s Got Talent” contest, where he placed first in his division. Prior to this, he led his elementary school chorus to receive a second call back with “America’s Got Talent” auditions in Atlanta.

Within the last year, Nicholas has traveled with show choir, “SingAkadamie” to Hawaii, where he received a three minute standing ovation at the 3000 seat Blaisdale Concert Hall, singing his signature song, “Amen,” arranged by his private vocal coach, and talent advisor, Sheri Thrower.

He has just been featured on a gospel music video with Gospel Music Legend, Phil Cross, and on May 3-5 he will be featured in the “Gospel Music Express” showcase in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Nicholas is the son of Brent and Barbara Hickman and brother of Zach Carmical, all of Ringgold Ga. He is the grandson of Edward and Carolyn Hickman of Ringgold, Ga. and Jack and Mary Cooper of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ryan Stinson 

Ryan Stinson, 22, of Ringgold, Ga. was selected as the 2012 Catoosa County designee. He attends Luther Rice University and Seminary and is a beginning senior.
“It is a great honor to receive the Share America scholarship,” he said. “I am preparing for full-time church ministry.”
He has played piano for 11 years.
“I consider music to be my primary community ministry and I always look for ways of uplifting people through song,” he said. “Music will always be a major part of my life.”
Stinson is the son of Tony and Jill Stinson and brother of Kari Stinson of Ringgold, and the grandson of Jim and Joyce Terrell and Ruth and the late Richard Stinson, all of Ringgold. “We were honored to present a $500 scholarship to assist him as he completes his studies,” said Share America Chairman Joe Turner.
Stinson was not aware that he was to receive the award, according to Randall Franks, Share America president.
“One of our annual scholarships is set aside for a musician from Catoosa County, Ga. There were no applicants from Catoosa for 2011, so the board of directors chose to select a candidate,” Franks said. “Ryan is carrying on the traditional music of this region through his learning the traditional styles of piano which have graced the musical genres of gospel and country music for many years. He has a unique talent that draws the listener into what he is doing.”

2011

Emily Hullender

Share America Foundation, Inc. recently presented Emily Hullender of Tunnel Hill, Ga. the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship for $1,000 at the Ringgold Depot. From left, Share America Foundation secretary James Pelt, comedian Johnny Counterfit, SAF chairman Joe Turner, JeffHullender, Emily Hullender, Justin Hullender, and SAF president Randall Franks. Hullender was selected as the 2008 Catoosa County designee for the scholarship at the age of 15. She now attends Chattanooga State working towards a career as a dental hygienist. 

Mike Holloway 

Mike Holloway, 18, of Signal Mountain, Tenn. graduated from Signal Mountain High School and now attends University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

“Music is what makes me who I am,” he said. “One thing I have learned from my musical experiences is in a room of 20 or more languages, the common denominator is bluegrass.”

He began playing bass with fellow students learning to become part of a new band - the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band.

“Being with this band has changed me,” he said. “It has taught me to work with others, communicate with people with a foreign language, and accomplish goals that might seem impossible.”

Mike said he plans to use the  $1,000 scholarship towards his educational needs to get a degree aerospace engineering.

“I have been taught to never give up and I believe anything is possible as long as I have a goal,” he said.
He plays bass with the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band. For more information, visit www.mountaincovebluegrass.com.
Mike is the son of Donnie and Macel Holloway of Signal Mountain, Tenn. He is the grandson of Ken and Thelma Holloway of Signal Mtn., TN and Macel and the late Emerson Hubbard of Wise, VA. 

Cody Harvey 

Cody Harvey, 18, of Signal Mountain, Tenn. graduated from Signal Mountain High School and plans to attend University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“Since I began playing the banjo, I had always dreamed to have a bluegrass band of people my age,” he said.

He said he actually taught some fellow students and found others who played until the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band was formed. “Although music is a great passion of mine, I am not looking to make it my profession,” he said.

Cody said she plans to use the  $1,000 scholarship towards his educational needs to get a degree in nursing and then plans to attend graduate school for anesthesiology.

“Music will always be part of my life, and I will use it to praise the Lord and thank Him for allowing me to have such a wonderful thing in life and share it with everyone I meet,” he said.

He sings lead and other parts and plays banjo with the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band. For more information, visit www.mountaincovebluegrass.com.

Cody is the son of Mike and Yvonne Harvey of Signal Mountain, Tenn. He is the grandson of Charles and Charlotte Harvey of Signal Mtn., TN and Anna and the late John W. Austin of New Albany, In. He continues a family legacy passed from his late grandfather John Austin, who played mandolin and bass. His father, Mike plays banjo. His mother Yvonne plays piano.


2010

Hunter Moreland

Hunter Moreland, 16, of Ringgold, Ga. was selected as the 2010 Catoosa County designee. Moreland is a sophomore at Heritage High School in Ringgold, Ga.  He plays bagpipes among numerous other instruments.

“Grand total I have been playing the pipes for about three years,” he said.

Moreland said he added bagpipes, an instrument his father also plays, to saxophone and bassoon.

Hunter performs in the Heritage High School Marching Band and his piping talent became part of the band’s show at football games, he said.

The presentation came as quite a surprise to Moreland when Randall joined him on stage after Hunter performed “Highland Cathedral,” according to Joe Turner, Share America chairman.

The board will decide the amount of the scholarship at the time of the award when Moreland graduates in a couple of years, Turner said.

“Hunter is carrying on one of the most unique instrumental aspects of our Scottish heritage. There is nothing that equals the sound of the pipes and it really makes the Scottish part of my heart sing,” Franks said.

“It’s an honor to be considered,” Moreland said following the presentation.

He said he plans to use the scholarship towards his educational needs to become a high school band director. He added that he is considering going to a school with an excellent saxophone program possibly in Minnesota or Michigan.

Raven Welch


Raven Welch, 18, of Mineral Bluff, Ga. received a $1,000 scholarship.
She graduated from Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge, Ga. Welch said she will use the scholarship towards her educational needs at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega to become a physical therapist.
“As long as I can remember, music has always played a major role in my life; I can’t remember my life prior to becoming involved in music,” Welch said.
Welch said she began her musical studies on piano and moved on to other instruments including the mandolin.
Welch formed the Raven Welch Band in 2007. She said the opportunity to work regularly with other passionate musicians on stage has enhanced her musical and vocal abilities.
“While on stage, I thoroughly enjoy performing, but I also love to see the joy and fun that it brings to the audience,” she said. “Music has enriched my life and it has helped me to meet many new people and learn life lessons.
“I want to share the love and joy that music has brought to my life,” she said.
She said she plans to continue performing around her studies. Her latest CD is entitled “More to Go to Heaven For” and more information can be found at www.RavenWelch.com.


2009

Kylan Rodgers
(Catoosa County Designee)
Kylan Rodgers of Ringgold was selected to be the 2009 Catoosa County designee for the scholarship. “I have always wanted to work towards a scholarship so I could go and study music,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who took part in this. I cannot tell you how much this means to me.” Rodgers is ninth grader at Heritage High School from Ringgold. He also plays piano, drums, Dobro, bass guitar, alto saxophone, and other instruments. “With my music, I plan to become a contemporary Christian artist,” he said. “My dream is to travel around the world and bring people to Christ through my music.”

 


Kayla Ray  

Fiddler and mandolinist Kayla Ray of Royston, Ga. was home schooled and now attends Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga. She received a $750 scholarship.
"I'm very passionate about trying to help spread Bluegrass music to others my age, so I was very honored and thankful to have received the 2009 scholarship," Ray said.

She performs with her siblings - Sara, Laura, Jason, - in the band Exception to the Rule.

2008

Jeremy Barker 

Jeremy Barker, of Copper Hill, Tenn., is a graduate of Copper Basin High School in Polk County, Tenn.  Barker appears with the Barker Brothers featuring his brother Jonathan, father Scott, his mother Angie and Westley Harris. Barker received a $500 scholarship to be used towards his educational needs at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tenn. He said his plans are to eventually transfer to East Tennessee State University where he will minor in its bluegrass program while he pursues a degree in secondary education to teach history.

Barker said after college he desires to return to his home in Copper Hill and teach in the local high school.

“I hope to assume a leading role in continuing the promotion of our acoustic music program,” he said.

"I hope to enrich the area’s cultural heritage through the music that I share.”


Jarrod Payne
(In Honor of the
late Dottie Rambo)
Jarrod Payne of Ducktown, Tenn., a graduate of Copper Basin High School in Polk County, is the second 2008 winner of the scholarship. His special award is given in memory of the organization’s late benefactor Dottie Rambo. Payne performs with Steel String Session featuring Lisa Jacobi, Pete Dasher, Denny Mixon, and John McLeod.

Payne received a $250scholarship to be used towards his educational needs at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tenn. He said his plans are to transfer to East Tennessee State University where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in music. Payne said that while his goals are currently in pursuing a degree and career in music, he looks forward to all the academic opportunities of college that may “open the door to other careers …not yet considered.”

“The boundaries of a person’s mind and a society’s way of thinking are expanded when music enters the experience,” he said. “The varying genres of music can emphasize the different aspects of life, including the viewpoints one has on the world around them. “Music affects my life in a truly personal way, as I find the music to be a way of life,” he said. “Throughout my music education, I have had several music instructors and fellow band mates who continually sample various styles and techniques found in many musical genres. In their own ways, they have interpreted and taught me the various musical languages that I now communicate through my performances and playing.” Payne said music has richly blessed his life, as have the people who continue to play a role in making him the person he is.

 
Emily Hullender
(Catoosa County Designee)
Emily Hullender of Tunnel Hill, Ga. was selected as the 2008 Catoosa County designee. She attends Dogwood Christian Academy in Tunnel Hill, Ga.  She sings soprano or tenor with the Jeff Hullender Family with her father Jeff Hullender and her brother Justin. 
“I am really excited to receive this scholarship,” she said.  Emily continues a tradition passed through several generations of her family. Jeff learned his music traveling with his singing parents — Jr. and Thelma. He also is a former member of the Gold City Quartet, who also performed with the Kingsmen and Teddy Huffam and the Gems. Even at 15, Emily is already writing songs such as “My Sins Are Covered“ that their group is performing on stage. She said the words come from God and she simply writes them down.

2007

Deborah Taylor
(Catoosa County Designee)
Deborah Taylor of Ringgold was initially selected to be the 2007 Catoosa County designee for the scholarship and is now attending Covenant College. She received a $750 scholarship.

Taylor said she hopes to become a doctor.

 Taylor is a home-school graduate from Ringgold who began playing the fiddle five years ago. She also plays piano and sings.

“I heard singer Josh Groban’s violinist and that made me want to take lessons,” she said. “Instead of the violin, I began fiddle lessons and that was something that seemed to be so much more relaxed and fun that I haven’t been able to stop playing since.”

Taylor has competed in several fiddle competitions in the Tennessee Valley where she has placed on occasion.

Often seen behind her playing guitar is her grandfather Lewis Taylor.

“He helps me with my timing — playing guitar rhythm,” she said. “He is a great musician who is a lot of help to me.”

John Rice
John Edmund Rice of Covington, Ga., a graduate of Newton County High School, was selected to be the 2007 winner for the scholarship.

Rice appeared at the event performing “Amazing Grace” and “Orange Blossom Special” along with a full set of gospel songs performed with the Walnut Grove Bluegrass Band featuring his father John Rice, his twin brother Jacob Rice, Allen Russell and Bear Adams.

Rice received a $300 scholarship to be used towards his educational needs at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga. where he is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering technology.

Rice said he hopes someday to design combustion engines that will operate on non-fossil fuels while providing more efficient power on less fuel.

While his eyes are on changing the direction of our fuel driven world, his passion, he said, is music.

“I enjoy many styles but the Round Peak style music and bluegrass music play a very important role in my life,” he said. “By studying old time music when I was a beginner, it helped me to start playing right away, which is always a good thing.  “An important role that music has played in my life is the enjoyment of learning a challenging tune that takes weeks to figure out,” he said. “When you learn the original form of the tune you usually throw in a couple of your own licks after you have mastered it. With those licks you have created your own style or version of the tune.” Rice said while he hopes someday to play full-time, he wants to get his education first so he will have job skills to fall back upon. “I plan to keep music and the fiddle as part of my life, I hope to be able to play for as long as I may be able,” he said.

 


Garrett Arb
(Dottie Rambo Award Designee)
Garrett Arb of Varnell, Ga., who started playing at banjo at the age of nine will receive the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship special Dottie Rambo Award when he attends college.

He began his love of music when his grandfather, John Arb, shared with him an older Ode banjo.

Within a couple of years, he was sitting in the audience at the Wink Theatre in Dalton, Ga. at a concert featuring million selling banjo stylist Raymond Fairchild and it was then and there, Arb was hooked for sure.

“It was depth of his originality on the instrument,” he said. “I like the twang and clarity of his notes. That’s why I like him so much.”

Arb soon began devouring the Fairchild catalog playing all of his most noted tunes and eventually began performing on stage as a guest with the musician he idolized.

Some of his favorite tunes include Rueben, Whoa Mule, and Great Speckled Bird.

In the process of his learning, he expanded his talents to guitar, both bluegrass and classical styles, and the piano.

Since 2003, he also added some other musicians to his list of stylist to aspire to Don Reno, Earl Scruggs, and Jens Kruger and even songwriter and vocalist Dottie Rambo.

How did Dottie Rambo become part of banjo players list of favorite performers,  it began as what was to be a brief appearance with Randall Franks as the feature youth for Share America Foundation’s kick off concert in April 2007.

When Dottie met Garrett backstage, she asked him if he thought she could play with her on one of her songs.

“She is the sweetest woman you could meet,” he said. “I never heard the song before but they had a tape and I listened to it. It wasn’t very complicated.”

Randall and Garrett joined her on stage for that song and then:

“I took a couple breaks then instead of going off stage she kept me up there for rest of show — one hour and 30 minutes,” he said.

Meeting her for the first time that night, Garrett said he did not realize what a big music legend Dottie is and what a big star she is around the world.

 “I never imagined getting to do something like that — playing with someone that is such a legend,” he said. “She has really written some authentically inspired songs. She has a tremendous gift. Her music serves as a good minister to me.

“It was so kind of Dottie to encourage me in the way she did as well as ask the audience for support of my future ministry,” he said.

Her request started a scholarship  initially valued at $710, according to Franks, Share America Foundation president.

A student at Northwest High School in Tunnel Hill, Ga. he said he wants to attend Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. to study composing, directing and church ministry. “I know when the time comes that I begin college the Dottie Rambo Award from the Share America Foundation will be a great help," he said. “Music is something that is really fun. I think music to me — it’s just a gift from God and very worth pursing. It doesn’t matter to what level you advance there is always something you can do to improve.”