Experience America’s Story Through Music with Sparky and Rhonda Rucker

Join the Bartow History Museum for From Spirituals to Freedom: Building America, a powerful musical performance by Sparky and Rhonda Rucker at The Grand Theater.

This special program is part of the By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The performance is free and open to the public.

Take a musical journey through America’s past as Sparky and Rhonda Rucker blend music, storytelling, and history to explore how spirituals, folk songs, and traditional music have shaped American culture and preserved the stories of resilience, struggle, freedom, and hope. Through captivating performances and engaging narratives, audiences will discover how music has served as both a historical record and a powerful force for social change.

This inspiring performance offers a meaningful look at the people, events, and movements that helped build the nation while celebrating the enduring role of music in the American experience.

About the Performers

James “Sparky” Rucker is an acclaimed folk musician, storyteller, and historian who has spent more than 50 years preserving and performing American folk traditions. A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Sparky has released 16 albums, contributed to Grammy-nominated recordings, and appeared on nationally recognized programs including NPR’s Mountain Stage, Morning Edition, and A Prairie Home Companion.

A participant in the Civil Rights Movement, Sparky worked with organizations including SNCC, SCLC, and the Poor People’s Campaign, and collaborated at the Highlander Center alongside leaders such as Rosa Parks and Myles Horton. He has performed at renowned venues including the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, while leading educational programs at schools, festivals, and cultural institutions across the country.

Rhonda Rucker is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, author, and educator who performs alongside Sparky. Skilled in guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica, and percussion, she blends Appalachian folk, blues, gospel, and original compositions into performances that celebrate history, culture, and community.

Before pursuing music and storytelling full time, Rhonda practiced internal medicine as a physician. She is also an accomplished author whose work includes historical fiction set during the Civil Rights era, as well as contributions to educational and cultural publications.

Together, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker deliver an unforgettable performance that connects America’s musical traditions with the nation’s rich and complex history.

Don’t miss this memorable evening of music, history, and storytelling as we celebrate 250 years of American history and culture.

Admission:

Admission is free, but registration is required for the opening program.

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