A.A.R.T.

New to the mountains, Abe falls in love with Appalachia. In the college dorm one night, he hears another student picking a banjo. Abe purchases an $80 Korean banjo (complete with an Earl Scruggs instructional cassette) to begin the daunting task of learning how to play.With a few basics down, Abe begins a search for "his people" – musicians who play in jam circles. As he tells it, these circles are far better than live shows. In live shows, the audience's desires are paramount. But in bluegrass circles, so far away from the mainstream, the musicians play for each other, soloing to impress their friends with new, innovative licks, progressions and tempos. And – Abe is absolutely welcome, and feels at home.

Today's Transmission: Abe details how he first got into field recordings, old gospel and bluegrass music. Caught with a punk rock cassette at a Fundamental Baptist college he attended, this administration decided it would be best if Abe did not return. So ... he didn't.At his final Bible college stop, Abe finally "bought in." He eventually became a preacher. But even in his senior year, he found a loophole in what was acceptable to the administration. Gospel songs were available on the Smithsonian Folkways catalogue – and they had real heart. Today's episode features "The Camel Song" by songwriter Steve Judice. Also, an accordion presentation by son of Abe Partridge, Evan.

Abe Partridge promised "A Document" back in 2020 – when he first sat down with buddy Ferrill Gibbs to document the beginning of his quest.Today, we are closer than ever to a completed work. Abe's compilation of singers and instrumentalists belting out the songs of Mark 16 will soon be available to the world. Abe's "Document" aims to be the most sonically representative work of the serpent-handling faith ever presented. Today, Abe describes exactly why this is special, and how it has never been done; also why it is (at least as far as Abe is concerned) sacred music. He shares intimate field recorder footage of a time spent with the people of this Faith, and the solid relationships that instantly followed.Today's advertiser: follow for dates and tickets The Sunday Songwriter Series @ the Spirit Room, Mansfield, OH (and on Instagram)

Song catcher Abe Partridge facilitated a recording session late one night at a serpent-handling church in Gray, Kentucky. Pastor Andrew Hamblin, of The Free Pentecostal House of Prayer, armed with a beautiful cherry red Hummingbird, rose to the moment and belted out a red-hot version of the faith's most endearing song. Little David Play On Your Harp features Andrew's wife, Taylor, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist.  With help from his podcaster buddy Ferrill Gibbs, the two podcaster/documentarians captured what Abe calls "the greatest field recording we ever recorded."Also: "Proper" rock star David Ford gives Abe a "biscuit review" from the road. Spoiler... Abe Partridge, who's a southern US biscuit enthusiast, is highly unimpressed. Today's song link is: David Ford sings "O'Sullivan's Jukebox"

Abe Partridge travels around, showing his folk art and playing his songs. As he does, he takes the backroads in search of a kindred spirit.  The Alabama Astronaut Radio Transmission features voices of roadside artists who make beautiful things from broken things. Abe captures their songs, stories, and works of their lives – as they pursue the highest of ideals – field-recording style.