Alabama Astronaut

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...

In Anniston, an Alabama newspaper attributes a mystery felony to serpent handling preacher Glenn Summerford.  The claim initiates a new quest for podcasters Abe Partridge and Ferrill Gibbs, tipped off about the article by Andrew Hamblin, serpent handling preacher from Gray, KY. For months, Ferrill and Abe dig into the claim, and in the process discover parts of the Summerford story do not jibe wit...

Over the years, Abe Partridge and Ferrill Gibbs have maintained a steady appetite for hunting down songs of the serpent handling people. New information – courtesy of a serpent handling preacher from Gray, Kentucky – diverted the fellows to an interesting trail. Abe Partridge, songwriting artist turned prolific documentarian; and Ferrill Gibbs, Murrow Award-winning podcast producer, peel back the...

This episode attempts to recreate the warmth surrounding Abe’s artist reception, "With Signs Following, featuring dozens of Abe's paintings that depict characters from the serpent handling faith. Many events described in Alabama Astronaut came alive to the soundtrack of Abe’s field recordings. Abe's art exhibit is viewable at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center until May 20th. For more information...

When Abe first decided to co-produce a podcast about his music-documenting journey, he approached the serpent handlers and told them of his plans.    Knowing they'd been the subject of ridicule in the past (and that they probably didn't trust him), Abe promised he would send them the podcast before it was ever released.    He said they could have full editorial control.   When he and Ferrill compl...

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 s...

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, preach...

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...

After months of corresponding with Cody and Cassy Coots, Abe decides to make a studio album for them. It's to feature serpent-handling songs that have been sung in Cody's church for generations.    Abe enlists the help of host Ferrill Gibbs to record it, who travels from Houston to meet up with Abe in Birmingham, Alabama. Together, they make a beeline for Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Abe's white tour...

The story takes a turn. Jimmy Morrow, founder and preacher of Edwina Church of God in Jesus' Name, invites Abe into his home. Sensing that Abe has a “good spirit,” Jimmy shows Abe his poetry, art, and a comprehensive collection of serpent-handling history and lore.     Afterwards, Jimmy and Pam Morrow both sing songs for Abe from their faith, a capella. Meanwhile, Abe discusses with Ferrill the id...

The “calling out” of Abe (and his friends) at church services reaches a boiling point at the famed “Old Rockhouse Holiness” in Section, Alabama. It's the church where author Dennis Covington of the hit book Salvation on Sand Mountain once became a convert and handled a massive rattlesnake. Abe tells the story of the founding of the church: the infamous murder trial and conviction at the heart of i...

As the coronavirus finally arrives in Mobile and, most detrimentally to Abe, the Mobile music scene, Abe’s gigs begin to drop.     With more free time on his hands, he travels to Jackson County, Kentucky, to meet fourth-generation serpent-handling preacher Cody Coots, along with his songwriting wife, Cassy Coots.   Abe conducts a field recording at their house to capture generations-old songs from...

While on the road to a Panama City show, Abe tells Ferrill about his recent trip to a small church in desolate, southern West Virginia – House of the Lord Jesus. There, Abe captured audio of their worship: a blistering, rockabilly-style sound. Also, Abe tells Ferrill about a moment when Chris Wolford, the church's preacher, called out the Alabamian from the pulpit, causing Abe to recount his own d...

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 power...