Rocker Joe Walsh Funds Performance Scholarship

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Topics: Arts, Education, Other
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A Northeast Ohio musical adopted son is looking to pay back the city and school that helped launch his professional career. ideastream®'s David C. Barnett reports that a new performance scholarship at Kent State University is being funded by rock guitarist Joe Walsh.

Although he’s a native of Witchita, Kansas, Joe Walsh, the performer, was born in the clubs of Kent and Cleveland, while he was a student at Kent State, during the mid-to-late 1960s.  He developed his distinctive style during stints with local bands, such as the Measles and the James Gang, and then rose to international fame as a solo artist and as a sideman for the Eagles.  Now, he is returning the favor by funding a five-year scholarship for a student in the music, dance or theater programs at Kent’s College of the Arts.  John Crawford is Associate Dean.

JOHN CRAWFORD:  Mr. Walsh had charged us, as Kent State University, to figure out an audition process in order to choose a student.  And he wanted to have it start for Fall.

First recipient of the Walsh Scholarship is new student David Jaramillo.  The Ecuadorian native impressed the judges with a piano performance of selections Prokofiev.  And, reportedly, at no point did his feet touch the keyboard. 

Additional Information

Joe Walsh Musical Biography