Also, a Summerford contacts the show, updating Abe and Ferrill about what happened to her grandfather. Now, Abe and Ferrill pledge to resolve the cliffhanger remaining at the end of Alabama Astronaut.

These were needles in haystacks, but treasures in Abe's life: An old Methodist hymnal, a VHS tape, and an extremely rare record.

They cost him $3.

In today's Transmission, Abe argues art is not just something a discerning eye beholds, but can usher a transformation in one's very life.

To see the Son House video referenced today, go to the Masters of the Country Blues on YouTube...

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 ..."

How she played and sang, Abe just had to meet her – and, if she would allow, he'd attempt to record her, too.

It 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.

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.

Laurel Cove Music Festival (Bro. Abe's Sunday Service): Facebook Page

Abe and Ferrill are glad you are listening along!

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.

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.

Today, we are closer than ever to a completed work. Abe's compilation of singers and instrumentalists belting out the songs of Mark 16 will soon be available to the world.

Abe's "Document" aims to be the most sonically representative work of the serpent-handling faith ever presented.

Today, Abe describes exactly why this is special, and how it has never been done; also why it is (at least as far as Abe is concerned) sacred music. He shares intimate field recorder footage of a time spent with the people of this Faith, and the solid relationships that instantly followed.

Today's advertiser: follow for dates and tickets The Sunday Songwriter Series @ the Spirit Room, Mansfield, OH (and on Instagram)

Pastor Andrew Hamblin, of The Free Pentecostal House of Prayer, armed with a beautiful cherry red Hummingbird, rose to the moment and belted out a red-hot version of the faith's most endearing song.

Little David Play On Your Harp features Andrew's wife, Taylor, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist. 

With help from his podcaster buddy Ferrill Gibbs, the two podcaster/documentarians captured what Abe calls "the greatest field recording we ever recorded."

Also: "Proper" rock star David Ford gives Abe a "biscuit review" from the road. Spoiler... Abe Partridge, who's a southern US biscuit enthusiast, is highly unimpressed.

Today's song link is: David Ford sings "O'Sullivan's Jukebox"

The Alabama Astronaut Radio Transmission features voices of roadside artists who make beautiful things from broken things. Abe captures their songs, stories, and works of their lives – as they pursue the highest of ideals – field-recording style.