Share America Foundation chooses bluegrass mandolinist/harmonica player for scholarship
Written by SGN Scoops on July 26, 2012 – 9:52 am -
The Share America Foundation, Inc. announced its second 2012 scholarship winner recently at its Sacred Sounds Fridays concert featuring the Watkins Family and Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga.
The events help fund the organization’s Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” The scholarships honor students excelling in the Appalachian musical arts.
“There is no question that my mom and dad would have loved the enthusiasm and spirit that Tyler shares when he performs,” Franks said. “I am sure his musical talents will encourage many in his lifetime.”
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. Read more »
Tags: bluegrass, Randall Franks, share american foundation
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