A.A.R.T.

Transmission 7: "God Sent You Here Today"

Abe continues his search for hidden artists in the hills of Appalachia. Today, in the same stretch of mountains his beloved friends Jimmy and Pam Morrow lived, he locates a kind man with a house filled to the top with "outsider" art. This artist (named Ralph Vaughn) informs Abe God ordained his search, and that is who provided the inevitable meeting.   Abe spends the day recording Ralph, until he sings Abe a song about a "going in the Mulberry tree ..."

Transmission 6: Dark World Sunshine

Cassy Coots sent Abe Partridge a viral video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Za9M8L-e-c] of a woman singing and playing in an empty church house. The song was called "King Jesus." How she played and sang, Abe just had to meet her – and, if she would allow, he'd attempt to record her, too. This was Dootsie Rose, a singer and songwriter from McKee, Kentucky. Abe has made a vinyl record of the magical day he spent with Ms. Dootsie. The album releases at Bro. Abe's Sunday Service, at the Laurel Cove Music Festival. This Transmission features the sweetest moments the session with Dootsie Rose. Special thanks to Jeb Kicker, Brent Busby, and all the Alabama Astronauts who made this week's episode particularly beautiful, to us.

Transmission 5: In Defense of Country

Abe plays Chiefs on Broadway (Nashville) and encounters a rising songwriter named Jake Worthington. They trade songs back and forth. Abe sees "the classic country style" in him –  Abe draws connections from the roots of country to the here and now, as he sees it. At David Childer's house – recording a new Satan You're A Liars record – Abe breaks down why an upcoming show at the Laurel Cove Music Festival is a series of firsts: The Free Pentecostal House of Prayer are to play for a secular audience, and record an album in the process. Mentions today: Jake Worthington's Big Time Lonesome [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-wxq8voQLE]. Laurel Cove Music Festival (Bro. Abe's Sunday Service): Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/events/1643616046656458/] Abe and Ferrill are glad you are listening along!

Transmission 4: Tickled By Innovation

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.

Transmission 3: Birth of a Documentarian

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.