The Sparks Family Singers

Country Gospel, Belmont
(left to right): Bryan Sparks, Jake Adams, and Peggy Sparks Adams, of the Sparks Family Singers performing at the family's weekly practice session, January 2007.
(left to right): Bryan Sparks, Jake Adams, and Peggy Sparks Adams, of the Sparks Family Singers performing at the family's weekly practice session, January 2007.
The Sparks Family Singers perform at the Thursday Night Gatherin', January 2007.
The Sparks Family Singers perform at the Thursday Night Gatherin', January 2007.
Peggy Sparks Adams received at Folk Art Apprenticeship grant from the Arts Commission in 2006. She worked with Amber Hale (right), teaching her gospel accordion techniques.
Peggy Sparks Adams received at Folk Art Apprenticeship grant from the Arts Commission in 2006. She worked with Amber Hale (right), teaching her gospel accordion techniques.
Jam session at the Thursday Night Gatherin', May 2005.
Jam session at the Thursday Night Gatherin', May 2005.
Bryan Sparks (left) with his grandson Chad Hastings. Sparks was a recipient of a Folk Art Apprenticeship Award from the Arts Commission in 2004-05. He used the grant to work with Hastings on bluegrass mandolin techniques.
Bryan Sparks (left) with his grandson Chad Hastings. Sparks was a recipient of a Folk Art Apprenticeship Award from the Arts Commission in 2004-05. He used the grant to work with Hastings on bluegrass mandolin techniques.
Sparks and Hastings performing on the front porch of the Wade Sparks Memorial Music Hall, located on the Sparks Family property outside of Belmont, Mississippi. The hall is the site of the family's weekly Thursday Night Gatherin' program.
Sparks and Hastings performing on the front porch of the Wade Sparks Memorial Music Hall, located on the Sparks Family property outside of Belmont, Mississippi. The hall is the site of the family's weekly Thursday Night Gatherin' program.
The Sparks Family tour bus, maintained by Bryan Sparks.
The Sparks Family tour bus, maintained by Bryan Sparks.

The Sparks Family Singers have been playing a blend of traditional gospel songs and their own compositions since 1972. The group is led by mandolin player and singer Bryan Sparks and it has featured several of his siblings over the years. Currently, he is joined by brother Dalton Sparks on guitar and vocals and their sister Peggy Sparks Adams on accordion and vocals.

Willis and Isabelle Sparks, parents of the musicians, raised fourteen children on their farm outside of Belmont. The couple instilled a deep love of music in their children by making music a regular part of life in their home. Willis Sparks played banjo and guitar and would entertain the children with music during the evening. Isabelle Sparks had a strong soprano voice and would often sing for them.

Bryan Sparks got involved in music as a young man. He led his group, The Pine Ridge Boys, for several years. They played country music in the older, more acoustic style and recorded and played throughout the region. They also had their own Friday night show on a local television station for a few years during the 1950s.

After the Pine Ridge Boys broke up in the late 1950s, Bryan Sparks put aside music for a number of years until forming the group with his siblings in 1972. The Sparks Family Singers has been active since then, performing at festivals throughout the eastern United States and releasing eleven recordings. One of their songs, a recitation called “Jonah” received heavy airplay on several radio stations.

In addition to touring, the family also plays host for a number of events on their homeplace. They sponsor two annual bluegrass festivals (in May and August) as well as host a weekly Thursday night gathering. The weekly session allows friends and neighbors of the family to get together, play music, and socialize. It has become an important gathering for musicians in Tishomingo County.

More information on the group, see their myspace page

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