From left, Ed and Genny Wallace, Johnny Carson, Phyllis A. Cole, “Doc” Tommy Scott and Randall Franks. Click to enlarge.
photo by Carol Edwards
North Georgia's Randall Franks was among the honorees at a recent award program in South Carolina.
The Carolinas Country-Bluegrass-Gospel Hall of Fame held its third annual awards celebration near Rock Hill, S.C.
Several honorees from Georgia were among the Legend Awards winners including entertainer/actor Randall Franks of Ringgold, Ga. best known as “Officer Randy Goode” from “In the Heat of the Night;” entertainer “Doc” Tommy Scott of Toccoa, Ga.; McDonough’s Ed Wallace of the Sunshine Boys and the Light Crust Doughboys.
"I am honored to be among my fellow Georgians who were recognized for their contributions to the musical experience in North and South Carolina," said Mr. Franks. "I have enjoyed some of my greatest performance opportunities there from appearing with my band the Peachtree Pickers as a youth at Myrtle Beach, to appearing with Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, and others. My Randall Franks Show held its biggest performance in the Carolinas for a crowd of 30,000, so I have many fond memories of the great folks in the Carolinas who have supported me and my music."
Also honored from Georgia were Jerry and Helen Burke of Acworth, Ga. receiving the Pioneer, Community Service and Icon awards while Georgia Music Hall of Fame member Johnny Carson and Phyllis A. Cole of Atlanta, Ga. received both the Pioneer and Icon awards for their work in perpetuating the music.
“These Georgians have had a tremendous impact on the Carolinas,” said Burlan Dean Marsh, president. “Through live and radio performances, promoting events featuring South Carolina talent they all individually became part of the musical fabric of our communities.”
Mr. Marsh, a bass player, serves as president of the organization while banjo stylist J. Max McKee of Shelby, N.C. and performer Bob Wyatt of Rock Hill, S.C. are its founders.
“The purpose of our organization is to help musicians in need,” said Mr. McKee.
Mr. Wyatt said that it is through the teamwork of the board and members that the organization continues to grow.
The organization presented awards to numerous recipients throughout the course of the evening that incorporated musical performances.
Among the categories were Hall of Fame, Hall of Honor, Heritage Awards, Legends Awards, Pioneer Awards, Horizon Awards, Community Service Awards, Icon Awards, Band Awards, Special Awards and Media Awards.
Hall of Fame inductees include Frances C. Strait, Burlan Dean Marsh, Dan X. Padgett, Dwayne Ford, Jimmie Claude Carter, Rebecca Merli, and Gilbert Hames.
Hall of Honor inductees were Tom Griffith, Bobby Wray, Bruce Gibbins, James Soder, Tommy Kay, Billy Meridith, Roger Dale Owens, James Walt Ramey, Ralph Biggers, Steve Hubbs, Blake Stevens, and Michelle M. Osborne.
The late Carl Story was among the 10 Heritage Award honorees.
The organization honored Timber Ridge as Band of the Year; J. Max McKee for guitarist; David Heffner for mandolin; Burlan Dean Marsh for bass; Jim Reynolds for banjo; Dave McClellan and Roger Owens for Dobro ®; Don Armstrong for rhythm guitar; Melvin Roten for fiddle; Golden Valley Crusaders Gospel Band of the Year; Millard Edwards of WAXM as disc jockey; and Teena McKee as female vocalist.