The Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund
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 $250- 500.
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 two 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