Jim Ricketts, Crystle Elam, The Hickeys And Emerald Butler Will Perform In Ringgold June 12

The duo of Jim Ricketts and Crystle Elam will bring their ministry to Ringgold Depot at the corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41 on Friday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. Also appearing will be their guests Marty and Helen Hickey.

Fiddler Emerald Butler will make a special appearance. Randall Franks from TV's "In the Heat of the Night” will emcee. 

The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. The Share America Foundation, Inc., a Georgia non-profit, presents scholarships to talented musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts. 

Mr. Ricketts and Ms. Elam share Jesus through song combining years of performing experience.

“This allows us so many wonderful opportunities to meet folks and share the goodness of the Lord,” Mr. Ricketts said.

The group won the North America Country Music Association International 2012 Traditional Gospel Duet of the Year and Ms. Elam won the Horizon award for traditional female vocalist. They also won Traditional Gospel Duet of the Year from the Tennessee Country Gospel Music Association in 2011.

Ms. Butler of Sale Creek, Tn., a Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholar, attends Chattanooga State and plans to attend MTSU for music business studies.

"My plan is make a living making music and entertaining. I want to record, tour, act, etc. I want to do it all," she said. "I have been told before to go to college and get a real job, or to do something other than music. I've been told that it is really hard to make a living out of playing music, but everyday I listen to someone who does on the radio. I believe that I have a God given talent, and that entertaining is what I'm meant to do. I may or may not make it, but I'm at least going to try."

Mercy's Well was previously planned for this event but will be unable to perform.

Donations for tickets are adults: $5, Children 5 and under free with adult. Tickets may be purchased locally in advance during business hours at SonShine Christian Books 706-861-7675 in Fort Oglethorpe. For more information, visit www.shareamericafoundation.org.