Folk artist Abe Partridge, spurred by the Covid lockdowns, pursued Signs Following songs for six long years.

These songs (which mention the handling of serpents and consumption of deadly poisons) have been performed for decades by the "serpent handlers" of the Appalachians.

At a music festival in Kentucky, Abe Partridge – along with podcasting buddy Ferrill Gibbs – attempt to document these songs live, using a professional recording engineer. (Ryan Engelberger, Chase Park Transduction. Athens, GA.)

The service opens with Sister Dootsie Rose. Then, a five-member band – led by co-pastors Andrew and Taylor Hamblin – takes the stage.

The serpent-handling group of veteran musicians perform decades-old songs before an audience of more than 200 festival goers.

Abe's effort to record undocumented music becomes something greater. A public act of worship, captured pristinely by a group of professionals, gives the secular audience a glimpse of a faith as devout as they come.

Visit A.A.R.T. (the Alabama Astronaut Radio Transmission) for a 10-episode podcast following Abe into the world of undocumented folk art...

Abe and Ferrill prepare for an interview with Dennis Covington.

Abe lists out the questions, which include a surprising claim about Loretta Lynn and her ­(if true) connection to the serpent handling faith. Also, Abe plans to ask the difficult question: Did Dennis Covington apologize to Old Rockhouse Holiness Church?

After the in-person interview with Covington, Abe hits the road to continue strengthening his relationships with members of the faith. One day, he lands a gig at the world-famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee – a sold out show. Abe invites serpent-handling preacher Andrew Hamblin on stage to accompany him on one of Abe’s most personal songs: “Appalachian Farewell.”

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Special thanks goes to:

Shawn Byrne

The Bluebird Cafe

Dennis Covington and the family of Dennis Covington

Andrew and Taylor Hamblin

Cathy Partridge

Elizabeth "Fish" Gibbs

Gregory Coots

Cody and Cassy Coots

Tony Feyer

We also want to express a very special thanks to the The Jacob Hall Memorial Music Grant. Thank you, all! Your help came to us in an extremely crucial time... we will not forget it!

Ferrill tracks down Dennis Covington, author of Salvation on Sand Mountain, only to discover that Mr. Covington suffers from a condition brought about by his own quest for faith, detailed in a 2014 autobiography, "Revelation."

Ferrill pre-interviews Covington, scheduling a day for Abe to interview the author in Lubbock, Texas.

Meanwhile, Abe beelines to the bedside of Billy Summerford, preacher of Old Rockhouse Holiness Church, who is dying of cancer. At Billy’s bedside, Abe re-encounters Greg Coots, Cody’s Grandfather. Abe tells Greg about an album he’s been searching for, a recording of Greg’s parents, the founders of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name.

Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!

Alabama Astronaut Podcast website

Find us on social, too:

Alabama Astronaut Facebook

Alabama Astronaut's Twitter

Alabama Astronaut Instagram

Special thanks goes to:

Shawn Byrne

The Bluebird Cafe

Dennis Covington and the family of Dennis Covington

Andrew and Taylor Hamblin

Cathy Partridge

Elizabeth "Fish" Gibbs

Gregory Coots

Cody and Cassy Coots

Tony Feyer
Cathy Partridge

Abe and Ferrill return from the Coots' recording session in Middlesboro, Ky., then conduct an extensive internet search to verify that they are truly the pioneers of recording these songs. They are surprised to discover an artist from New York named Tony Feyer, whose history with the serpent-handling faith includes documenting of one of the most legendary serpent-handling churches of all time: the Church of the Lord Jesus in Jolo, West Virginia.

Tony befriends Ferrill and Abe, and offers to share copies of DAT recordings he produced in the early 90’s. These recordings were the fruit of Tony’s partnership with none other than American folk music documentarian, Alan Lomax.

Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!

Alabama Astronaut Podcast website

Find us on social, too:

Alabama Astronaut Facebook

Alabama Astronaut's Twitter

Alabama Astronaut Instagram

Special thanks this episode:

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress: Aunt Molly Jackson speaking on serpent handlers

Tony Feyer

Andrew and Taylor Hamblin
Gregory and Cody Coots
Elizabeth "Fish" Gibbs
Cathy Partridge