Foreword

Abe Partridge, a folk artist from Mobile, Alabama, approaches Ferrill Gibbs, a podcaster from Texas, in mid 2020. With his gigs canceled due to coronavirus, Abe spends time at serpent-handling churches across the Appalachians. He explains to Ferrill how originally, his plan was to paint the oft-ridiculed sect, but while taking in their frenetic services, he began to realize their songs were powerful, and possibly, undocumented. Abe shares audio with Ferrill of a serpent handling preacher who tied Abe's hands with a Gibson guitar strap in a worship service. Also, Ferrill draws a connection to legendary music documentarians, John Avery and Alan Lomax.Visit the website for bonus content!Alabama Astronaut WebsiteAnd find us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut InstagramSpecial thanks this episode to: John Nova LomaxAndrew HamblinTaylor Hamblin