Share America President Randall Franks (right) and organization benefactor Tim Witt (left)
present Derek Stone with his Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship designee certificate
Derek Stone, 15-year-old banjo player from Chattanooga, TN, has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship by the Share America Foundation.
Even at such an age Stone is already performing professionally with Carl Towns & Upward Road, and has multiple titles from the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and the Mountain City Fiddler’s Convention in Tennessee.
The scholarship was presented by Randall Franks, actor, fiddler, and entertainer, who created this award in honor of his parents. He shared high praise for Derek.
“Stone is a talented musician and singer whose talents shine through whether in a jam session or on stage for a show. He is definitely going to reach many people with his abilities.”
The scholarship award will be held until Stone enters college, where it will help with the various associated costs. A tenth grader at McCallie School in Chattanooga, he has been playing banjo for three years, and is thinking of studying mechanical engineering or music business after graduation.
Derek is filled with gratitude for this acknowledgement.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award and recognition. I never expected to receive this award after only playing for three years.
I would like to thank my parents, my friends who have guided me, my teachers, and all the people who have taught me what seemed to be somewhat small things at the time, but turned out to be a huge boost and influence on my playing style. I’d especially like to thank The Kody Norris Show for inviting me up on stage to play in two of their shows when I was just starting out!”
Looking into his future, Stone sees a number of interesting options.
“I hope to study woodworking, teach banjo lessons, learn to be a luthier, and pursue being a full-time musician either on the road or in the studio. However, one day I would really love to get a group of great, young musicians together and start a band and see where it goes.”
The Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship is funded by donations from individuals and companies, grants from the Kiwanis Club of Fort Oglethorpe, and the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment, and by special projects like the upcoming CD, A Zippedy Doodle Day: American Folk Songs, and Share America Foundation’s album Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia, available as a free gift with a donation to the Foundation.
See further details or make a contribution of your own online. The Share America Foundation is a non-profit 501-(c)(3) organization.
