Documentary: Chase the Devil: Religious Music of the Southern Appalachians, 1983

Amazing documentation about the music and the people of the Southern Appalachians.

An exploration of the religious music of the southern Appalachian mountains, and the conflict between the sacred, political, and profane. Religious music of the South Appalachians covers a wide panorama. At one extreme, the fundamentalist Baptists regard any music as “the devil’s work,” and at the other end the Holiness Church centers the fervour and intensity of its services on hard driving, highly rhythmic music. This film focuses on the exuberant preaching, singing, gyrations, and rituals of the Holiness Church, including footage of enraptured holiness members “speaking in tongues” and handling poisonous snakes as part of church services. Chase the Devil also captures many other aspects and byways of isolated mountain music and culture, such as the haunting archaic religious balladry of Dee and Delta Hicks and Nimrod Workman, the old-time banjo playing of Virgil Anderson, the fiddle-band stylings of the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, a traditional baptism in a river, and a visit with an old recluse who communicates with Jesus via a broken auto antenna.

Ulf Kjell Gür

Notable performances, beside Virgil Anderson, The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers or Hazel Dickens are by Rev. Joe Freeman and Robert W. Akers.

King Jesus performed by Rev. Joe Freeman

Rev. Joe Freeman is not unknown in the world of record collectors, at least. For some reason, his records, when they show up for sale, tend to carry a steep price tag. Maybe it’s because of his title, “The Elvis of Gospel Music.” I don’t know. But I do know he’s the brother of Jeanette Cooke, a member of The Cooke Duet, another collectible gospel group—at least their early albums are. And Jeanette’s husband, Hubert Cooke, is somewhat related to Dock Boggs. It’s all connected.

As a coal miner, pastor, and musician in a rockabilly band with his brother, Freeman can be seen playing music and leading church services. It’s really good footage, and I’m glad it’s been documented.

Rev. Bobby Akers Interview, Music and Preaching at the local Radio Station and Baptizing

The same goes for Rev. Bobby Akers, who offers a glimpse into how an evangelical program was produced for the local radio.

Soundtrack

1. God’s Not Dead
   Performed by Bobby Akers (as Rev. Bobby Akers) and congregation
2. I Know My Lord’s Gonna Lead Me Out
   Performed by Bobby Akers (as Rev. Bobby Akers)
3. Over on the Other Shore
   Performed by Dee Hicks and Delta Hicks
4. Unnamed Instrumental Song
   Performed by The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers
5. My Old Horse Died
   Performed by Dock Boggs
6. You Been Gone So Long
   Performed by Virgil Anderson
7. Trouble Won’t Last Always
   Performed by Virgil Anderson
8. The Wild Side of Life
   Written by Hank Thompson
9. A Better Way of Life
   Performed by Vernon Oxford
10. I Saw the Light
    Written by Hank Williams
    Performed by Vernon Oxford
11. Lord I’ve Tried Everything But You
    Performed by Vernon Oxford
12. I am a Pilgrim
    Performed by Larry Richardson
13. I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap
    Performed by Larry Richardson
14. Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down
15. Mother Hold Up My Dying Head
    Performed by Nimrod Workman and Hazel Dickens
16. Clay County Miner
    Written and Performed by Hazel Dickens
17. There Will Be No Black Lung (Up in Heaven)
    Written by Joe Freeman
18. King Jesus
    Written by Joe Freeman