Bio:

Rhonda H. Rucker, M.D., once a practicing physician, is a freelance writer and professional folk musician and storyteller living in Maryville, Tennessee. Her article, "Rescuing Miracle" was published in February 2013 by Highlights for Children. She was a contributing author for the Encyclopedia of Appalachia, which was published by the University of Tennessee Press in 2006. She has had articles published in The Daily Times (the local newspaper), The Hellbender Press (a regional environmental newspaper), and The Southerner (an online magazine). Her work for Blue Ridge Press, a syndicated column service, has been published in several southeastern newspapers, including the Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Roanoke Times, the Anniston Star, and the Southwest Virginia Enterprise. Rucker helped teach an environmental journalism course at the University of Tennessee in 2001. She has also co-written a chapter for the book, Team Up! Tell In Tandem!, published by PRESTO & US Storytelling Publications.

After growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Rhonda Rucker graduated from University of Kentucky College of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at University of Kentucky. She practiced medicine for five years in Maryville, Tennessee.

Rhonda performs with her husband, James “Sparky” Rucker, adding vocals, piano, banjo, blues harmonica, and rhythmic bones to their music. They appeared on the Grammy-nominated CD, Singing Through the Hard Times, in 2009. Rhonda has appeared on eight recordings with her husband, and their 1991 release, Treasures and Tears, was nominated for the W.C. Handy Award for Best Traditional Recording. The Ruckers also contributed music to the syndicated television miniseries The Wild West. Rhonda has taught blues harmonica workshops and classes at music camps and festivals. Her performing credits include NPR’s On Point, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the International Storytelling Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the National Folk Festival of Australia. She has also contributed to educational media projects for Scholastic, the National Geographic Society, Kentucky Educational Television, and the Eastern National Park and Monument Association.


Writer
PAL
Member since 2010
Region: Midsouth (Tennessee/Kentucky)

Contact Information

Email:  rhonda@sparkyandrhonda.com
Current Location:   Maryville
Website:  http://www.sparkyandrhonda.com

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes