Nashville, Tenn. (August 22, 2024) – During Crandall Creek’s sold-out show at the world-famous Station Inn in Nashville last night, Lillyanne McCool was presented the $5,000 Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship.
“You don’t know how much of a blessing this is,” Lillyanne of Mountain View, Arkansas, said when told she won the scholarship. “I was surprised and thankful beyond possibility. Thank you so much.”
Lillyanne had the honor of meeting Steve Gulley. “He was such a wonderful person,” Lillyanne said, “Mom and I both loved him.”
The Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship honors the singer and songwriter who gave so much to bluegrass music during his lifetime. He passed away from cancer in 2020. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who best represents the future of bluegrass music. Crandall Creek founded the scholarship, which is administered through the band’s affiliated non-profit, the Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation.
Jerry Andrews (Crandall Creek) and Bruce Winges both from the foundation, along with Steve Gulley’s widow, Debbie Gulley presented the award. “We were thrilled to have Lillyanne perform with us. Additionally, Debbie Gulley sang a beautiful Alison Krauss song. We had a wonderful and special night and appreciated everyone that joined us for this memorable event.”
The music filled Lillyanne’s ears from infancy – both her parents play bluegrass – and she took her first steps on stage during her parents’ show. This early exposure fostered a deep emotional connection with the music, a connection that has only grown stronger over the years.
Lillyanne is a junior at the College of the Ozarks in Hollister, Missouri, where she is studying nursing. The Ozark Highlands, where she was raised, are rich in folk and bluegrass music. She started playing banjo in the fourth grade. She won the National Old Time Banjo Grand Championship when she was 15. Her band, Sylamore Special, won the National Youth in Bluegrass Contest in 2022 and SPBGMA in 2024.
The scholarship winner also loves nursing and is considering becoming a travel nurse after graduation to travel for music while picking up health care shifts. Just as her parents passed a love of bluegrass to Lillyanne, she wants to pass on her love of music. “I want to continue teaching bluegrass music at camps and in schools,” said Lillyanne, “to hopefully inspire future generations to love and to play bluegrass music.”
For more information on The Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation and the Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship, please visit crandallcreek.com/the-foundation.
More information on Crandall Creek:
Crandall Creek includes Carly Greer, Jerry Andrews, Kathy Wigman Lesnock, Dustin Terpenning, and Sav Nelson. This year, the band was chosen as an official International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Showcase artist. In addition, Carly Greer received a well-deserved IBMA Momentum Award Nomination for Vocalist of the Year. Maddie Murray will join them on stage next month for these showcase performances held during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina.