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From left, Garrett Arb, Dottie Rambo and Randall Franks share the stage in Ringgold for the Share America Foundation, Inc. and its Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund April 14. (Contributed photo)

Songwriter of the Century Dottie Rambo shared her talents to raise funds to encourage musicians talented in Appalachian musical arts in a concert April 14 in Ringgold, Ga. The event hosted by the Share America Foundation, Inc. brought Southern gospel music fans from across three states to this Mayberry-like town nestled in the Northwest Georgia mountains.

“Ms. Dottie’s presence extended far beyond just raising money for scholarships,” said Randall Franks, Share America president. “She gave a very unique opportunity of encouragement to one young musician from nearby Dalton, Ga. that he will never forget.”

Banjoist Garrett Arb, 14, was the organization’s featured youth performer for the event.

After hearing Arb performing with emcee Franks, who is a fiddler best known for his role as “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” Rambo invited the two musicians to join her on stage for a song. After the song was completed, she just would not let them leave and the trio were soon joined by bassist Jeff Hullender of The Jeff Hullender Family, singer Tim Owens of the Testimony Quartet and pianist Curtis Broadway of The Pelfreys.

A wave of energy filled the church and the impromptu Dottie Rambo jam session fueled by a never-ending stream of requests from attendees brought the near capacity crowd at Ringgold United Methodist Church to a hand-clapping fervor in the spirit.

Before closing for the evening Rambo led the congregation in prayer for the future ministry of Arb’s talents on the banjo and encouraged them to support him in his music.
“He will still be playing his banjo when we are no longer here,” as she related a story about her starting on her own career at the age of 12.
The event raised approximately $2,000 for Share America and its Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. The Share America Foundation, Inc. presents scholarships to talented musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts.

Rambo kicked off the organization’s 2007 concert series that continues May 11 at 7:30 p.m. with the Marksmen Quartet and a special performance by Randall Franks at the Ringgold Depot. Admission is a $5 donation. Seating is limited to 300. For more information, contact The Share America Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.

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