SPARKY & RHONDA RUCKER

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS

(Libraries, Museums, Schools, Colleges,
Festivals, Music Camps, Etc.)

Photo courtesy of the Kingsley Plantation, Jacksonville, FL

In addition to concert performances that include a variety of music, storytelling, and history, Sparky & Rhonda Rucker also give special presentations, workshops, and classes that are focused on a specific topic or aimed at a particular audience. Some of these are hour-long presentations; others are week-long classes. These programs, which are listed below, are available by prior arrangement. The first four programs have a link to a page that gives more information.

• HEROES AND HARD TIMES:
  AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH SONG AND STORY
  

This educational program takes the audience on a journey that spans over three centuries of American history, including slavery, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the birth of blues music, and the civil rights movement. Each era is interspersed with stories and popular songs from the time period. The program is tailored to the audience and can be adapted for any age or grade level from preschool through college.

• STORIES ALIVE! (An Author Visit)

Stories Alive!, an author visit by Rhonda Rucker, is a wonderful way to promote literacy. Sparky joins her in this program, which uses a blend of storytelling, science, music, and history to get children’ excited about words, stories, and writing. This 40-50 minute assembly program is geared to the age of the audience. Workshops for smaller groups are also available.

• BLUE & GRAY IN BLACK & WHITE
  

  (The American Civil War)

Sparky and Rhonda present a synopsis of the American Civil War through songs and narrative. They begin with the causes and events leading up to the war and touch on some of the highlights of the war. The stories, some sad and some humorous, reflect personal insights from the colorful personalities who participated in the war. Sparky and Rhonda give the history from the perspectives of both the North and South and also include the participation of the African-American soldiers.

• TELLING THE TRUTH GOODBYE
  

  (Storytelling)

In this program, Sparky and Rhonda each tell some "solo" stories, but Sparky and Rhonda also tell stories together (in tandem), always adding life and humor to the characters in their Br'er Rabbit tales, Appalachian yarns, High John the Conqueror stories, preacher tales, and family stories.

• FOLLOWING THE NORTH STAR

  (Slavery and the Underground Railroad)

  This special historical program gives a unique perspective into the songs and stories of slavery, abolition, and the Underground Railroad. Personalities such as Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harriet Tubman are brought to life. Sparky and Rhonda sing the traditional slave songs that were filled with symbolism, messages of freedom, and sometimes even the information to guide the slaves' escape.

• THE BUFFALO, EAGLE, AND SILVER SPUR

  (Minorities in the Settling of the West)

  In this award-winning musical narrative, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker give the hidden history of the minorities in the American West. They tell of the black soldiers who were nicknamed the “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Native Americans because of their resemblance to the highly regarded buffalo. Their musical narrative also tells of the Ghost Dance warriors and the Mexican vaqueros. Sparky was given the “Spirit of the Buffalo Soldier” award for his research and presentation of this show in Arizona. Songs from this show were featured in the Time-Warner mini-series The Wild West.

• LET FREEDOM RING

  (Songs and Stories from the Civil Rights Movement)

  The Ruckers use authentic, spirited songs and Sparky’s first-hand experiences to present the story of the American civil rights movement. Sparky marched shoulder-to-shoulder with SNCC Freedom Singers Matthew and Marshall Jones and played freedom songs at rallies, marches, and sit-ins alongside other folksingers such as Guy Carawan and Pete Seeger.

• STRIVING TOWARD FREEDOM AND JUSTICE:

  SONGS AND STORIES OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE, LABOR UNIONS, AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

  It has been said that freedom is a constant struggle. In this week-long class, we will explore songs and stories of slavery, the Underground Railroad, women’s suffrage, labor unions, and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The Underground Railroad, the method by which enslaved West Africans escaped enforced bondage, produced a rich history and culture. However, the same songs were used in the civil rights movement a hundred years later, proving that the struggle for change is often slow – it’s evolution and not revolution. Many of the abolitionists continued the battle for justice until women’s suffrage was won a few decades later. Then the rise of unions showed that the struggle was not one of race or sex, but a universal struggle of the “haves” against the “have-nots.” In this class, students will find that the movements for justice have produced some of the most inspiring songs and stories in our history.

• CHILDREN'S CONCERTS

  In community children's concerts, Sparky and Rhonda introduce children to the songs that were sung by their grandparents and great-grandparents in a program that is both entertaining and educational.

• MOUNTAIN VOICES

  (Appalachian Songs and Stories)

  Sparky and Rhonda share stories and songs from the rich heritage of their southern Appalachian and "Affrilachian" roots. Their storytelling repertoire ranges from Jack tales and ghost stories to preacher tales and Br'er Rabbit stories. In addition to traditional Appalachian songs and gospel sing-alongs, they'll also share "newer" songs and stories from the struggles that Appalachian people have had because of coal mining in the mountains.

• I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL

  (A Week-long How-to Storytelling Class)

  In this class, students get a chance to learn the art of storytelling. Sparky and Rhonda give tips for finding and choosing tales and discuss how to learn and critique a story. Students will get plenty of hands-on practice during the week. This class can be held for children or adults. If you have story ideas, bring them!

• STEPPING OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN

  (The African-American Ballad Tradition)

  Sparky's research on the African-American ballad tradition culminated in the highly acclaimed recording Heroes and Hard Times. Drawing on this material, the Ruckers share songs and stories about such colorful personalities as John Henry, John Hardy, Stag-O-Lee, and Betty and Dupree.

• OLD-TIME RELIGION

  (Old-Time Spirituals and Gospel)

  Sparky and Rhonda both have deep musical roots from the American gospel tradition. In this program, they explore their rich heritage of both black and white spirituals, giving an uplifting presentation that encourages the audience to sing along.

• BIRTH OF THE BLUES

  (Emphasis on Delta and Piedmont Styles)

  Sparky and Rhonda give a presentation of early blues music, including the songs of such artists as Robert Johnson, Rev. Robert Wilkins, Tommy Johnson, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and Blind Boy Fuller. The songs are interspersed with stories about the artists. Sparky's early blues mentors include Rev. Pearly Brown, Buddy Moss, Johnny Shines, Babe Stovall, Big Joe Williams, John Jackson, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and Victoria Spivey. Sparky's trademark vocals are accompanied by both slide and fingerstyle blues guitar, and Rhonda adds gutsy blues harmonica, harmony vocals, and barrelhouse piano to their music.

• I CAN HEAR THOSE BANJOS RINGING

  (Minstrels Shows and Songs)

  In this week-long class, Sparky and Rhonda explore the songs, skits, and history of the old-time minstrel show. This workshop delves into the politics and the social impact of this uniquely American phenomenon. It is taught as a week-long class that has been popular at music camps such as Ashokan, Common Ground, and the Augusta Heritage Center.

• PICKIN' THEM BLUES

  Intermediate Slide and Picking Guitar Styles

  In this week-long class, Sparky teaches "bottleneck" or slide guitar techniques as well as blues fingerpicking styles. He explores the songs and techniques of Robert Johnson, Fred McDowell, John Shines, Blind Boy Fuller, etc. Sparky has taught these classes at such music camps as Ashokan, Common Ground, Stringalong Weekend, and the Augusta Heritage Center.

• WHOOPING AND WAILING

  Beginning Blues Harmonica

  This is an introductory week-long class for people wanting to learn the basics of blues harmonica. Rhonda discusses cross harp in detail, and several beginning tunes are taught. Blues improvisation is discussed, along with techniques such as bending notes, chugging, trills, and specific blues riffs. Rhonda has taught this class at such places as Common Ground on the Hill, Augusta Heritage Center, Summer Acoustic Music Week, Clarion Folk College, and Puget Sound Guitar Workshop. Students need to bring a working diatonic harmonica (something like a "Marine Band") in the key of "A" for this class. If you have other keys, bring them to the music camp so you can participate in jams. A recording device is also helpful.

• BLUES, BARRELHOUSE, AND BOOGIE-WOOGIE

  (Beginning Blues Piano)

  This week-long class is for students who already play piano but would like to learn some basic beginning blues-style piano. Rhonda explores several songs and blues styles during the week, teaching some left-hand and right-hand patterns, riffs, and fills that can be used in lots of blues songs.

• BEGINNING CLAWHAMMER BANJO

  In this week-long class, Rhonda introduces new players to the clawhammer style of banjo-playing, teaching the basic techniques and skills needed whether you want to play old-time tunes or accompany yourself in a song.

FOR BOOKINGS, CONTACT SPARKY AND RHONDA RUCKER