A Civil War Evening – Songs & Stories from the Ruckers

Kingsport Cultural Arts and the Tri Cities Civil War Round Table are co-sponsoring “A Civil War Evening” next week in the Renaissance Center Theatre.

The event – “America in Crisis – The Civil War Years” – will be performed by James “Sparky” Rucker and Rhonda Rucker. The one-hour event will be held at 7 p.m. on July 14 in the Kingsport Renaissance Center Theatre (1200 E. Center Street).

Through song and storytelling, the Ruckers chronicle 19th Century America beginning with the causes and events leading up to the Civil War. The folk duo uses heart-rending, soulful music along with colorful anecdotes to present the highlights of the conflict.

Their presentation gives the history from the perspectives of both the North and South, including the participation of the African American soldiers. The stories, ranging from poignant to humorous, include insights into the charismatic, larger-than-life personalities who participated in the war.

Sparky and Rhonda accompany themselves with fingerstyle picking and bottleneck blues guitar, old-time banjo, blues harmonica, spoons, and bones.

Over the decades, the Ruckers have performed at the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the International Storytelling Center, as well as NPR’s On Point, Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and Morning Edition.

To learn more about the Ruckers, visit their website at www.sparkyandrhonda.com.

Tickets for the event are $10 each and can be purchased at the Fun Fest store in the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (400 Clinchfield Street).