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The Share America Foundation, Inc. announced its 2007 scholarship recipient at its Nov. 9 Sacred Sounds Fridays concert featuring the Smoky Mountain Boys, Walnut Grove Bluegrass Band and Garrett Arb at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold.
The monthly 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.
John Edmund Rice, 18, 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.
“The Rice family is extremely talented, and it shows in all their musical abilities,” said Joe Turner, Share America chairman. “It is wonderful that we can recognize the passage of a musical family tradition from father to sons by honoring John Edmund.”
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.
“John is the first of our candidates to be able to use the funds our board, volunteers, donors and concert attendees have helped us raise,” said Randall Franks, Share America Foundation president. “John and his brother Jacob are carrying on the musical traditions for which our organization strives to foster. It is an honor to be able to recognize one of them with this scholarship.
“I really believe my Mom and Dad’s spirit of encouragement will shine on John’s life as they did for me,” he said.
Although Rice received his scholarship following that of scholarship designee Deborah Taylor in October. He was actually the first recipient recommended by the scholarship committee to the board, and if not for a bus malfunction, his would have been the first presented, Franks said.
Board members include Franks, Turner, Gene Lowery, vice chairman; Adam Cathey, secretary and Jerry Robinson, Sr., vice president.
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.
Rice is the son of John T. and Tina Rice of Covington, Ga. in Newton County. He is the grandson of John F. Rice and the late Virginia Rice of Lavonia, Ga. in Franklin County; and Geraldine Rider and the late Bennie Rider of Oxford, Ga. in Newton County.
Sacred Sounds Fridays concerts return Jan. 11 to the Ringgold Depot with Southern Sound Quartet.
For more information about the organization and its programs, contact Share America, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
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