Nashville, Tenn. (August 14, 2025) – This year’s $5,000 Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Audrey Neel during Crandall Creek’s sold-out show at the world-famous Station Inn in Nashville last night.

“That’s so exciting,” said Audrey, a Hillsboro, Missouri native, upon learning she had won. “I am so honored to receive this scholarship.”

The Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship honors the late Steve Gulley, a beloved singer and songwriter who made lasting contributions to bluegrass music before passing away from cancer in 2020. Established by Crandall Creek and administered through their affiliated nonprofit, The Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student who best represents the future of bluegrass music.

Jerry Andrews of Crandall Creek and Bruce Winges, both from the foundation, along with Steve Gulley’s widow, Debbie Gulley, presented the award. Debbie also performed during the Station Inn show.

Audrey is a junior at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she studies bluegrass, old-time, and roots music along with business management. She is the only female vocalist and guitarist in the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band.

“I grew up in Missouri, where my love for music began as I listened to my older sister play fiddle and sing at school,” Audrey said. She opened for Rhonda Vincent and The Rage when she was just seven years old.

Audrey aspires to further develop her skills on guitar and fiddle and to grow as a songwriter. She describes her fiddle playing as “advanced” and her voice as “an instrument in itself,” while noting her guitar technique has improved significantly during her time at ETSU.

She studies under Grammy Award-winning guitarist Tim Stafford, who helped her create her own composition, Seesaw. Tim and Audrey performed the song together during last night’s show at the Station Inn.

“I know without a shadow of a doubt that Audrey would be Steve’s ideal choice for this scholarship,” Tim said.

Past scholarship recipients include Maddie Murray of Kentucky and Lillyanne McCool of Arkansas.

For questions and inquiries regarding the Steve Gulley Memorial Scholarship, email gulleyscholarship@gmail.com.