Joe Morrell
Joe Morrell Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the friends and family of Joe Morrell.
Any student enrolled in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies is eligible for this scholarship. The requirements are as follows:
• A cassette tape or CD with three songs featuring the student’s singing and/or playing.
• A one to two page paper describing how the scholarship would assist their study of bluegrass, old time, or country music. This paper should also describe his/her experiences with bluegrass, old time, or country music and what he/she would like to achieve musically in the future.
Applications may be mailed to:
Joe Morrell Scholarship Application
ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies
PO Box 70435
Johnson City, TN 37614
Mr. Morrell was a musician, playing professionally as a young man with country music bands in New England and locally with Curly King on the "Farm and Fun Time" radio program in the 1950's. Having founded Morrell Music in 1960, Joe Morrell created a family business that has endured for decades serving musicians in the area. In the 1980's, Morrell designed and built a Bristol landmark, the "Grand Guitar," off of Interstate 81. The structure, 70 feet long and three stories tall, has been featured in newspapers and magazines worldwide. It houses a country music museum and the weekend operations of historic WOPI radio station. Admission is free and open to the public. In his retirement, Morrell played steel guitar with his band, Blue Country. He loved the Bristol area and country music.