Sparky and Rhonda Rucker Share Appalachian History through American Song and Folktale

By: Rita N. Peacock
Photo: fssgb.org

Frostburg's annual Appalachian Festival is all about Tradition. It explores the stories and roots of people along the Appalachian Mountains. The performers that participate in the festival share their heritage through mediums such as poetry, dance, song and story. For Sparky Rucker, of East Tennessee, and Rhonda Rucker, originally from Kentucky, this medium blends the best of song and story in the “American Folk tradition.” The couple sang many different songs in their set; each song had an accompanying story. Sparky explained, “I’ve been known to tell a 20 minute story to introduce a 3 minute song.” He continues, “That’s just what folk singers do!”
One of the duo’s featured songs was “Bound for the Promised Land.” Rhonda explained how the lyrics included code words for Blacks who sought to escape from slavery. Slaves couldn't just say they were planning to escape. She laughs, "slave owners weren't that dumb." Therefore, she explained that slaves would sing phrases such as "the Promised Land" or "Caanan Land" (Canada) to express their plan to escape to freedom. Further, she explained how these African American songs were adopted by Europeans in “Camp Meetings.” These meetings began as large assemblies of Presbyterians who met outdoors and listened to a “battery of preachers” give sermons to the masses. She said Europeans who attended theses meetings used to sing songs with “four verses and amen at the end.” She continued, African Americans in attendance sang Negro spirituals such as “Wade in the Water.” She states, “There was a trade back and forth of cultural songs.” These religious people began to blend and adapt their song traditions which eventually led to songs such as “Bound for the Promised Land” and many others.
Sparky and Rhonda Rucker also performed “Old Town River” and a blues song, originally performed by Blind Boy Fuller, entitled “Little Sweet Woman.” This song seemed to be a crowd favorite. Rhonda soulfully played the harmonica as Sparky led vocals. The duo ran out of time in their set and was kindly reminded that they could only perform one last tune. Sparky playfully stated “It’s best to leave before statute of limitations come to you.” He continued, “I was told one day I’d get in trouble for my mouth,” in a gesture to explain how folk singers easily run out of time due to the stories they love to tell. The duo closed their set with the song "Battle of Jericho." The Rucker’s offered copies of their CD and promised that they would return later in the evening to perform a new set of songs along with more stories.
Frostburg’s Appalachian festival is filled with family fun, crafts, foods, and souvenirs, most native to Appalachia. The fun only lasts for three days each year; this year the events occur September 16th-18th 2010. It is an outing that encourages those in attendance to learn about historical Appalachia while having a great time.