Ep 1: The Glenn Summerford Case: "The Snake Beat"

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 with the media's coverage over the years. Coloring the way Abe views journalists on the "Snake Beat" is the media's treatment of Andrew and Taylor Hamblin, who, one night, let down their guard for Ferrill and Abe. In a rousing display of trust and acceptance, the two instrumentalists play Ferrill and Abe an incredible version of the faith's most powerful song, Little David Play On Your Harp. It happens late in the night, capping an incredible overnight recording session.

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 "big stinking onion" to see what lies beneath. Meanwhile, imprisoned serpent handling believer Glenn Summerford still serves a 99 year sentence. Any day now, a fresh parole hearing comes.Abe and Ferrill's journey began in 2020, with a podcast called Alabama Astronaut. (To start at the beginning, go there.) In 2024, they released a memoir of serpent handling believer Cody Coots, Marked for Life. It's a deep dive podcast into the mind of one serpent handling believer.Music by Kenosha Kid. Special thanks to freelance journalist Beth Braden.

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, go here!

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 completed a draft worthy of release, Abe sent the podcast to serpent handlers Cody Coots, Cassy Coots, Andrew Hamblin and Taylor Hamblin.  In return, he received a downright humbling text ...

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 strengthening his relationships with members of the faith. One day, he lands a gig at the world-famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee – a sold out show. Abe invites serpent-handling preacher Andrew Hamblin on stage to accompany him on one of Abe’s most personal songs: “Appalachian Farewell.” Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!Alabama Astronaut Podcast websiteFind us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut Instagram Special thanks goes to: Shawn ByrneThe Bluebird CafeDennis Covington and the family of Dennis CovingtonAndrew and Taylor HamblinCathy PartridgeElizabeth "Fish" GibbsGregory CootsCody and Cassy CootsTony FeyerWe also want to express a very special thanks to the The Jacob Hall Memorial Music Grant. Thank you, all! Your help came to us in an extremely crucial time... we will not forget it!

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, preacher of Old Rockhouse Holiness Church, who is dying of cancer. At Billy’s bedside, Abe re-encounters Greg Coots, Cody’s Grandfather. Abe tells Greg about an album he’s been searching for, a recording of Greg’s parents, the founders of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name. Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!Alabama Astronaut Podcast websiteFind us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut Instagram Special thanks goes to: Shawn ByrneThe Bluebird CafeDennis Covington and the family of Dennis CovingtonAndrew and Taylor HamblinCathy PartridgeElizabeth "Fish" GibbsGregory CootsCody and Cassy CootsTony FeyerCathy Partridge

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 Church of the Lord Jesus in Jolo, West Virginia.  Tony befriends Ferrill and Abe, and offers to share copies of DAT recordings he produced in the early 90’s. These recordings were the fruit of Tony’s partnership with none other than American folk music documentarian, Alan Lomax. Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!Alabama Astronaut Podcast websiteFind us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut Instagram Special thanks this episode:American Folklife Center, Library of Congress: Aunt Molly Jackson speaking on serpent handlersTony FeyerAndrew and Taylor HamblinGregory and Cody CootsElizabeth "Fish" GibbsCathy Partridge

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 touring van. Once in Middlesboro, the two convert Cody’s great-grandfather’s church – Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name – into a recording studio. With a six-foot rattlesnake lounging nearby (named "Ol' Lemonhead"), Abe, Ferrill and the Coots make a fully-produced, multi-track, multi-instrumental studio album called "The Coots Duo." The rough tracks being a post-production process in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!Alabama Astronaut Podcast website Find us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut InstagramSpecial thanks this episode! Cody and Cassy CootsJay SmackBrent BusbyAndrew Hamblin and the Free Pentecostal House of PrayerGreg Coots and the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name

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 idea of faith at a “cost”… and why Abe finds meaning in that.   Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!Alabama Astronaut Podcast website Find us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut Instagram Special thanks this episode goes to: Jimmy and Pam MorrowDr. Thomas RybaBarbara Gibbs Allen

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 it.  After one service that Abe attended, with rattlesnakes in the building, the lights are shut off. In the darkness, Abe and his friend consider running out of the church. Meanwhile, Abe has his first encounter with National Geographic: a run-in with a photographer at both Old Rockhouse Holiness Church and, in the same weekend, Jimmy Morrow’s church in Cocke County, Tennessee.   Brother Jimmy Morrow takes Abe to a graveyard high in the east Tennessee mountains, to see the graves of four believers who died following the signs.  Visit the Alabama Astronaut Podcast website for more content!Alabama Astronaut Podcast website Find us on social, too:Alabama Astronaut FacebookAlabama Astronaut's TwitterAlabama Astronaut Instagram Special thanks this episode:  Old Rock House Holiness Church Bro. Billy Summerford Dave Garrett Morgan "Willy Mo" Hammond